Ryanair deepens fare cuts to fill jets as European demand wanes

Ryanair told analysts it’s cutting prices more than anticipated this summer, helping to boost bookings and increase occupancy levels on its flights. Ryanair’s yield is expected to fall between 8% and 9% over the first half ending Sept 30, steeper than the 6% to 8% drop originally expected. At the same time, August and September bookings are up 1 percentage point from a year earlier. That could help Ryanair attain a 96% load factor in the fiscal Q2. Europe’s airlines are discounting tickets as terror attacks spanning Germany, France and Belgium to Mediterranean resorts depress demand for travel and Britain’s decision to leave the EU impacts the economy. Ryanair CE Michael O’Leary has said he’ll always cut prices where necessary to fill planes and protect his company’s market share. <br/>