Ryanair H1 Profit Climbs, Lifts FY Profit View - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Irish low-cost airline Ryanair Holdings Plc. (RYA.L, RYAAY) reported Monday that its first-half net profit climbed 32 percent to 795 million euros from last year's 602 million euros. Basic earnings per share grew 36 percent to 57.44 euro cents from 42.04 euro cents a year ago.

Total revenues rose 9 percent to 3.537 billion euros from 3.255 billion euros a year ago.

Passenger traffic increased 4 percent to 51.3 million customers from 49.2 million customers a year earlier.

First-half load factors jumped 4 percent points to 89 percent, due to a stronger Easter period and the success of Ryanair's "Always Getting Better" customer experience improvements, the company noted.

Looking ahead, the company said that as a result of 2.2 million additional second half passengers and falling unit costs, full-year net profit will significantly exceed previous guidance of 650 million euros to a new range of between 750 million euros to 770 million euros.

"However, we caution that this raised guidance remains heavily reliant on the strength of close in bookings for the remainder of Q3, and in particular Q4 where we presently have very little visibility," the company said.