Ryanair reports strong sales as passengers increase

Ryanair, the low cost airline, has reported strong growth for the past six months due to increase sales of its car hire, hotel and travel insurance services. The results were also helped by a 20% increase in passenger numbers to 22.6m.

The airline reported a 24% increase in revenue from £889m to £1.089m for the period to September 30 and a 24% rise in pre-tax profits to £286m.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary says the results reflect strong ancillary growth, which grew by 54% to £177m due to “improved penetration of car hire, hotels, travel insurance as well as strong onboard sales and excess baggage revenues.”

He adds that its inflight mobile phone service, which will allow passengers to make calls and use PDAs during flights will be tested on 25 aircraft by next March.

The airline also says the UK Competition Commission’s investigation of the BAA monopoly has confirmed that the airport operator is responsible for the “abysmal service and long security queues” at Stansted airport.