Ryanair transatlantic plans grounded
Europe’s biggest low cost carrier Ryanair has been forced to make an awkward U-turn and has backed away from recently announced plans to start transatlantic flights.
The carrier released a statement to the stock exchange saying the Ryanair board had in fact not approved any such plans, nor would it in the near future.
“In the light of recent press coverage, the board of Ryanair Holdings wishes to clarify that it has not considered or approved any transatlantic project and does not intend to do so,” the airline said.
This contrasts with news earlier this week when the carrier said it had approved a plan to start services to the US once it had time to source and take delivery of long haul aircraft.
“The board of Ryanair have approved the business plans for future growth, including transatlantic. We are talking to manufacturers about long-haul aircraft,” a Ryanair statement said Monday.
“European consumers want lower cost travel to the US and the same for Americans coming to Europe. We see it as a logical development in the European market.”
The sudden backtracking however is not likely the end of the story.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary described the first statement as “a miscommunication” but the Irish Independent newspaper reports Ryanair may still plan to pursue transatlantic services through a separate entity in which it would probably take a majority stake.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations