The largest discount airline in Europe, Ryanair has posted a 15 million Euro profit for the fourth quarter of 2011, in spite of rising fuel costs that led to higher fares. Fares on Ryanair still remain lower than competitors. A mild December over most of Europe was a great help, resulting in minimal weather delays.
Ryanair also removed 80 of its Boeing 737 aircraft from service, thus assuring higher passenger loads. The airline has nearly three hundred aircraft. Although the company is based in Dublin, Ireland, it provides extensive service throughout the United Kingdom and all of Europe.
While projecting a profit for the first quarter of 2012, Ryanair management warns that a continued rise in fuel costs is a nagging worry. This could lead to still higher fares. The airline has expanded non-flying revenue sources, and is now selling smokeless cigarettes plus lottery tickets aboard flights.
During 2011 Ryanair introduced reserved seating on some flights for the first time, a departure from their usual business model. The company is happy that the reserved seating trial is doing well, and it will be available on all flights for 2012. Reserved seating is expected to be popular with families traveling during the busy summer season.