The budget airline expects to fly fewer passengers than hoped in fiscal 2026, cutting its passenger growth target yet again, due to Boeing plane delivery delays.

For the entirety of its fiscal 2025, which ends March 31, the airline now expects “almost 200 million passengers,” as long as there is no further bad news on delivery delays from Boeing. At its fiscal half-year results presentation Nov. 4, 2024, Ryanair said it was targeting between 198 million and 200 million.

Ryanair said it expects to take delivery of nine Boeing 737 MAX aircraft ahead of its peak summer season, fewer than expected, and as a result will cut its forecast for passenger numbers in the 12 months to March 31, 2026, to 206 million from 210 million.

Budget airline Ryanair on Monday reported stronger-than-expected after-tax profit for the three months through to the end of December.

Europe's largest low-cost airline anticipates attracting 206m customers in the 2026 financial year, equivalent to 3% annual growth.

Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier, posted after-tax profit for the three months to Dec. 31 that beat analysts' forecasts on Monday, but cut its passenger traffic outlook on delays in Boeing aircraft delivery.