Ryanair considers pay freezes and reducing crew on flights as fuel costs soar

Airline weighs up increasing use of AI as part of cost-cutting measures amid warnings of €2bn rise in annual fuel bill… Ryanair is considering cost-cutting measures including pay freezes, reducing crew numbers on flights and increasing the use of AI to offset soaring fuel costs driven by the Middle East conflict. Europe’s largest low-cost carrier said it expected European airlines to raise ticket prices by up to 20%, with its own jet fuel costs forecast to rise by about €2bn (£1.6bn) in its next financial year, which ends in March 2028. “Unless there is a swift resolution of the Middle East conflict we expect jet fuel prices to remain elevated well into 2027,” said Michael O’Leary, the chief executive…