Michael O’Leary gives US president both barrels as airline faces 10% cut
Paige Ingram Multimedia Journalist and Peter Hennessy UK & World News Editor
12:54, 03 Apr 2026Updated 12:55, 03 Apr 2026
(Image: Getty Images)
Ryanair might be forced to axe 10% of its flights this summer, its chief executive has cautioned, should the Iran conflict continue to affect jet fuel costs.
The Iran conflict has created worldwide consequences for fuel and energy expenses as the Strait of Hormuz – a crucial shipping route, through which a fifth of the world’s oil travels – remains largely shut.
Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary, who hails from Mullingar, Co Westmeath, discussed the concerning circumstances with ITV News on Thursday. He stated: “We’re all facing an unknown scenario. And we are certainly looking at maybe having to cancel 5%, 10% of flights through May, June and July.” Should anyone experience a cancelled flight, O’Leary suggested they should blame Trump rather than the airline.
During his conversation with ITV News Economics Editor Joel Hills, O’Leary encouraged travellers to secure summer flights promptly, to sidestep increasing prices. He remarked: “This has been a poorly judged attack on Iran, there doesn’t seem to be any exit plan at all.”
In comments to SkyNews, the Ryanair chief stated: “”Fuel suppliers are constantly looking at the market. We don’t expect any disruption until early May, but if the war continues, we do run the risk of supply disruptions in Europe in May and June, and we hope the war will finish sooner than that and the risk to supply will be eliminated,” he told Sky News.
“We think there is a reasonable risk, some low level, maybe 10% to 25% of our supplies might be at risk through May and June, so like everyone else in this industry, we hope the war ends sooner rather than later.
“If the war finishes by April and the Strait of Hormuz reopens, then there is almost no risk to supply.”
This follows news that UK carrier Skybus, which runs daily routes between London Gatwick and Newquay, has been compelled to ground all services owing to the ongoing fuel crisis. Departures have been scrapped from Friday (April 3) as a direct result of soaring fuel costs and a decline in passenger bookings, the Irish Mirror reports.
Skybus had been operating daily connections between London Gatwick and the coastal town of Newquay since November 2025 under a Public Service Obligation backed by Cornwall Council and the Department for Transport, which had been due to continue until May 31.
Skybus managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: “The huge rise in the global cost of fuel following the conflict in the Gulf, coupled with a significant drop in new passenger bookings since mid-February’s announcement of the planned closure of the PSO air route, forms an insurmountable barrier to the service continuing through April and May.
“At a time of great economic uncertainty and steps being taken to conserve energy worldwide, it is neither environmentally nor economically sound for us to continue flying with vastly reduced passenger numbers.” He extended his gratitude to passengers, regional stakeholders and the Skybus team for their continued support.