Fare wars: How an empire strikes back

After a grim 18 months, the low-cost carrier is once again experiencing the sort of relentless growth that analysts liken to the ‘Terminator’

Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair: analysts expect the airline to maintain its significant cost advantage over its rivals Pic: Getty

Over the past 18 months, Ryanair has endured more pain than it’s been accustomed to as Europe’s low-cost champion and a star of Irish industry.

The airline has struggled to get to grips with rising costs, industrial unrest and what chief executive Michael O’Leary last week described as “an attritional fare war”.

While Ryanair lost the battle over improved pay for pilots and cabin crew last year, it appears well placed to win ...