STORY: Budget airline Ryanair has seen a surge in Easter holiday bookings to European destinations as travelers avoid the Middle East due to the escalating regional conflict.
''I think, lots of people and families changing their travel plans''
But CEO Michael O'Leary said on Tuesday he didn't expect a big longer-term impact.
The war between the U.S., Israel and Iran disrupted flights worldwide.
Key Middle Eastern hubs are closed and oil prices are surging, with analysts warning of weeks of disruption.
''I think there's no doubt that it has undermined confidence in air travel to the Gulf states. It has undermined confidence of people connecting through the Gulf states. And that might maybe for the remainder of 2026 be good for short-haul holidays or travel within Europe.''
O'Leary said Ryanair's priority during the current disruption was to repatriate more than 3,000 customers from Jordan, where the airspace is closed.
''But we don't think that can happen probably before this weekend coming. Would we make available aircraft to others for governments for repatriation? Yes, we'd certainly talk to them, but we don't have that many spare aircraft at the moment"
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Oil prices are up roughly 30% so far this year due to the conflict, potentially driving up the cost of jet fuel and hurting airlines' profits.
However, O'Leary said this would not affect Ryanair as it was well hedged against rising oil prices.
