9th Oct 2026 12:23
(Alliance News) - easyJet PLC has cut a further 700,000 seats from its winter schedule, Sky News reported on Friday, while Ryanair Holdings PLC has warned that higher air fares could persist into 2028.
The latest reduction brings the total number of seats cut by the Luton, England-based low-cost airline and package holiday group to 1.4 million for the period from October 2026 to March 2027, following an identical cut announced earlier this year.
An easyJet spokesperson said: "Like all airlines, we review our schedule on an ongoing basis and sometimes make some changes.
"The changes to our winter flying represent a tiny proportion of our flying programme.
"We make any changes in advance and typically choose multi-daily frequency flights so customers can easily move to an alternative flight."
The news comes as Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary warned that air fares would rise as the war in Iran drives up jet fuel costs.
Speaking at a press conference in Warsaw, O'Leary said: "The airlines cannot survive unless they pass on these insanely higher fuel costs in the form of higher offers, and the customers will have to pay."
Reuters said O'Leary later told journalists standing on the sidelines that the situation was already a "full-blown crisis".
Jet fuel costs are running 50% above pre-war levels and are likely to remain elevated for the next 12 to 18 months, O'Leary said.
Shares in easyJet were down marginally at 680.80 pence early on Friday afternoon in London. Ryanair shares were down 1.3% at EUR23.07 in Dublin.
By Niall Holden, Alliance News reporter
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