Ryanair cancelled more than 800 flights last month as ongoing conflict in the Middle East disrupted air travel across the region, though the Irish carrier maintained that less than 1% of its total operations were affected.
The budget airline was forced to cancel and reroute services amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, alongside continued military operations in Gaza. Dubai airport also suspended flights last week, with passengers warned to expect further delays and cancellations.
Despite the disruptions, Ryanair operated more than 109,000 flights in June and carried 19.9 million passengers, representing a 3% increase compared to the same month last year. The airline’s annual passenger count reached 202.6 million over the past 12 months, up 7% year-on-year.
The Middle East conflict has created significant challenges for airlines operating in the region, with carriers forced to adjust routes and schedules to avoid affected airspace. The disruptions highlight the aviation industry’s vulnerability to geopolitical tensions in strategically important flight corridors.
Meanwhile, competitor Wizz Air reported strong growth despite regional challenges, carrying 5.88 million passengers in June, a 10.8% increase year-on-year. The London-listed airline expanded seat capacity by 10.4% and transported approximately 65 million passengers over the rolling 12-month period.
The contrasting figures demonstrate how airlines are navigating operational challenges while capitalizing on recovering travel demand in unaffected markets, with both carriers showing resilience despite regional instability.