Analysts predict Ryanair rebound after O'Leary's annus horribilis

Irish analysts are tipping Ryanair to bounce back from its current woes in 2018, according to the annual Sunday Independent analysts survey. After losing billions in shareholder value in recent weeks, in the midst of a turbulent row with pilots, the company is being tipped to be the best-performing Irish PLC share next year. CE Michael O'Leary has had an annus horribilis and was voted the second-worst performing CE of an Irish PLC in 2017. In last year's survey he was voted the second best-performing boss behind David McCann of Fyffes. The airline admitted to a disastrous error in scheduling pilot leave, which led to a glut of pilot holidays towards the end of the year and the cancellation of thousands of passenger journeys. To solve the problem, the airline said it would scale back its growth plans. O'Leary then made the decision to recognise trade unions for the first time - though he still maintained he would not negotiate with pilots from rival airlines. He averted a strike from Irish pilots, but he couldn't stop German pilots announcing a four-hour strike on Thursday. Investors will be watching closely to see how the industrial relations environment evolves in the New Year.<br/>