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Ryanair Holdings plc

ryaay · NASDAQ Industrials
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Industry Airlines, Airports & Air Services
Employees 10,000+
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FY2014 Annual Report · Ryanair Holdings plc
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CONTENTS 

2  Financial Highlights 

4  Chairman‟s Report 

6  Chief Executive‟s Report 

9  Summary Operating and Financial Overview 

11  Directors‟ Report  

15  Corporate Governance Report 

29  Report of the Remuneration Committee on Directors‟ Remuneration 

30  Statement of Directors‟ Responsibilities 

32 

Independent Auditor‟s Report 

37  Presentation of Financial and Certain Other Information 

39  Detailed Index* 

41  Key Information 

47  Principle Risks and Uncertainties 

63 

Information on the Company 

86  Operating and Financial Review 

91  Critical Accounting Policies 

106  Directors, Senior Management and Employees 

114  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions 

115  Financial Information 

125  Additional Information 

136  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

141  Controls and Procedures 

145  Consolidated Financial Statements 

201  Company Financial Statements 

207  Directors and Other Information 

208  Appendix 

*See Index on page 39 and 40 for detailed table of contents. 

Information  on  the  Company  is  available  online  via  the  Internet  at  our  website,  www.ryanair.com. 
Information on our website does not constitute part of this Annual Report. This Annual Report and our 
20-F are available on our website.  

1 

 
 
                                                                              
 
 
Financial Highlights 

Operating revenue  

Net profit after tax 

Basic EPS (in euro cent) 

    2014 
€M  

     2013 
        €M 

    Change 

5,036.7 

4,884.0 

+3% 

522.8 

36.96 

569.3 

39.45 

-8% 

-6% 

Adjusted  profit  above  for  year  ended  March  31,  2012  excludes  a  one  off  release  of  ticket  sales  revenue  of  €57.8 
million and for year ended March 31, 2011 excludes estimated costs of €26.1 million relating to volcanic ash disruptions in 
the year.  Adjusted profit for the year ended March 31, 2010 excludes an impairment charge of €13.5m on our investment 
in Aer Lingus and for year ended March 31, 2009 excludes €51.6 million relating to accelerated depreciation on aircraft 
disposals and a further €222.5 million write down of our investment in Aer Lingus. 

2 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
      
Key Statistics                       

Scheduled passengers 

Year-end Fleet  

Average staff 

Passengers per staff member (avg.) 

    2014               2013            Change 

81.7m 

79.3m 

297 

9,501 

8,599 

305 

9,059 

8,753 

+3% 

-3% 

+5% 

-2% 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
     
Dear Shareholders, 

Chairman‟s Report 

This  year  we  delivered  a  net  profit  after  tax  of  €523m  which  was  a  disappointing  €46m  decline 
compared to last year‘s profit of €569m.  However, this decline was entirely due to a 4% fall in fares, weaker 
sterling, and significantly higher fuel costs which rose by €128m.   

 During the year Ryanair delivered a number of significant milestones: 

  Our traffic grew by 3% to 81.7m passengers. 

  We ordered 180 new aircraft from Boeing for delivery from 2014 to 2018.     

  We opened 8 new bases and 121 new routes.      

  We completed a €482m share buyback.     

  We successfully improved customer service via the launch of a new website and introduced allocated 

seating.       

  We  achieved  a  BBB+  (stable)  rating  from  Standard  &  Poor‘s  (―S&P‖)  and  Fitch  and  became  the 

highest rated airline in the world.   

During fiscal 2014 we suffered a €128m increase in our fuel bill, which accounts for 46% of our total 
operating  costs.    Looking  forward  we  are  90%  hedged  for  fiscal  2015  at  approximately  $96  per  barrel, 
significantly below current fuel prices, which will deliver approximately €50m cost savings this year.  We have 
also extended our hedging into H1 FY16 and are already 55% hedged at prices which are just under 4% lower 
per passenger than fiscal 2015.   

We  lead  the  airline  industry  by  having  the  lowest  fares,  the  most  on-  time  flights,  and  the  youngest 
fleet.  This  year  we  have  focused  on  significantly  improving  our  customer  experience  by  launching  a  new 
website, a user friendly mobile app, the My Ryanair registration service which makes it simpler, and easier for 
customers  to  book  Ryanair  flights.    We  have  recently  introduced  allocated  seating,  reduced  certain  fees  and 
charges, launched a family product with discounts for children, and enabled passengers to take a 2nd small carry-
on  bag  on-board.    These  improvements  have  been  warmly  welcomed  by  our  customers,  and  we  will  launch 
further enhancements as part of our ―always getting better‖ customer experience programme.     

 The earlier release of our seasonal schedules and selling these seats at lower fares will deliver a 3% 
increase in load factors to 86% this year.  This stronger forward booking strategy is helping us to better manage 
our close-in fares.  We have also made significant changes in the way we market and distribute our flights.  In 
the spring we launched an extensive TV and outdoor advertising campaign in key EU markets and will initiate a 
series  of  campaigns  this  winter  to  promote  our  new  website,  mobile  app  and  the  ongoing  improvements  to 
customer  service.    In  April  we  commenced  distributing  Ryanair  flights  on  the  GDS‘s  (Global  Distribution 
Systems)  used  by  business  customers  and  on  Google  flight  search.  In  September  we  will  launch  our  new 
business service which will include a same day flight change and other attractive features for business customers 
such  as  fast  track  through  security  at  many  Ryanair  airports.    We  will  continue  to  expand  our  distribution  to 
enable more business customers to book Ryanair flights.   

In  2013  we  announced  plans  to  return  up  to  €1bn  to  shareholders  via  share  buybacks  and  special 
dividends by the end of fiscal 2015.  We have already completed €482m share buybacks and the Board have 
now  proposed  a  dividend  in  Q4  of  €0.37  per  share  a  10%  increase  on  the  2013  special  dividend  which 
amounts  to  approximately  €520m  subject  to  shareholder  approval  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting.    The 
combination  of  this  third  special  dividend  (subject  to  AGM  approval)  and  previous  share  buybacks  and 
dividends will mean that Ryanair has returned over €2.53bn to shareholders over the past 6 years.   

We continue to see tremendous opportunities to grow our business as many of Europe‘s legacy and 
regional carriers restructure and cut capacity.  As the first of our new aircraft delivers this September we look 
forward to continuing to grow the airline to carry over 110m passengers by 2019. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our  BBB+  (stable)  rating  by  S&P  and  Fitch  makes  us  the  highest  rated  airline  in  the  world.   This 
rating combined with the strength of our Balance Sheet with €3.2bn in cash at the end of fiscal 2014 enabled 
us to issue our first unsecured eurobond in June for €850m at a coupon of just 1.875%.  This new source of 
attractively  priced  financing  will  form  part  of  our  strategy  to  fund  our  future  growth  as  we  purchase  180 
aircraft over the coming years. 

I would like to warmly welcome a new director Michael Cawley, who joins the board in  August and 
will stand for election by the shareholders at the AGM in September, 2014.  I have also invited Howard Millar 
to join the board in July 2015, 6 months after he steps down as CFO in December 2014.        

Over the last  year  we have  made considerable improvements to our business and the extraordinary 
people  at  Ryanair  continue  to  work  hard  on  behalf  of  shareholders  to  reduce  costs  while  at  the  same  time 
delivering the lowest fares along with the best customer service in Europe to our 86m passengers.     

Yours sincerely, 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive‟s Report 

Dear Shareholders, 

We  are  pleased  to  present  the  2014  report  from  Europe‘s  biggest  low  fares  airline  and  the  world‘s  favourite 
international scheduled carrier.  Over the past 12 months, Ryanair‘s unique low fares, low cost model, continued 
to deliver new route and traffic growth, albeit at lower fares, which meant that while we carried a record 81.7m  
customers, our average fare fell by 4% to €46.40 causing a disappointing 8% decline in profits from last year‘s 
record €569m, to a slightly more modest €523m this year. 

While any decline in net profits is disappointing, the fact is that this fall was not caused by a cost problem, but 
rather  by  offering  our  customers  even  lower  fares  than  last  year.    Our  history  has  shown  that  customers  who 
obtain lower air fares and great customer service, will continue to return to Ryanair again and again as we roll 
out exciting plans to grow our fleet, expand our route network, improve our flight times and frequencies, and 
continuously improve the customer experience on Ryanair. 

In  the  last  year  traffic  rose  by  3%  to  81.7m  customers,  average  fares  fell  by  4%  (to  €46.40),  but  ancillary 
revenues  grew  strongly  (up  17%)  with  the  result  that  revenue  per  passenger  was  largely  flat.    Excluding  fuel 
(which rose by 7%), sector length adjusted unit costs fell by 3% proving again Ryanair‘s disciplined approach to 
cost containment.  The key trend over the last year is that the average fare and  unit cost gap between Ryanair 
and our European competitor airlines widened (as they saw their unit costs and fares rise) and it is this wider 
price gap which will underpin Ryanair‘s strong traffic and profit growth over the coming years. 

Over  the  last  12  months  Ryanair  opened  121  new  routes,  announced  8  new  bases  in  Athens,  Thessaloniki, 
Brussels (Zaventem), Lisbon, Rome (Fiumicino), Catania, Lamezia and Palermo.  We also obtained shareholder 
approval for our 180 new aircraft order, deliveries of which will start in September 2014, enabling Ryanair to 
grow our traffic from 82m to over 110m customers over the next 5 years.   

Improving our Customer Experience 
In  September  2013,  we  announced  plans  to  significantly  improve  our  customer  experience.    For  many  years, 
success  was  defined  by  having  the  lowest  costs  and  the  lowest  fares  in  every  market,  which  ensured  that  we 
grew  rapidly  establishing  enormous  price  (and  cost)  leadership  over  Europe‘s  flag  carriers,  and  so  called  low 
cost carriers, all of whom charge air fares that are at least 50% higher than Ryanair.  As our business matures, 
and  our  growth  rates  slow  somewhat,  we  are  committed  to  improving  our  customer  experience  in  addition  to 
providing  our  guests  with  the  lowest  fares,  the  most  on-time  flights,  the  fewest  lost  bags,  and  the  fewest 
cancellations. 

To achieve these goals we have spent a lot of the past year listening to our customers, and responding to their 
advice  on  improving  our  customer  experience  by  moving  to  fully  allocated  seating  on  all  flights,  launching  a 
simpler, easier to use,  website with great new features which makes finding our routes, timetables and lowest 
fares quicker and easier than ever. 

We have also restructured  many  long standing policies to  allow customers bring a  small second carry-on bag 
free of charge, a 24 hour grace period to correct minor booking errors, reduced boarding card and airport bag 
fees,  ―quiet  flights‖  on  early  morning  and  late  evening  services  for  those  customers  who  wish  to  chill  out  or 
snooze.    We  have  also  launched  a  dedicated  groups  service,  an  exciting  new  family  product  which  allows 
children to avail of discounted prices for allocated seats, travel insurance and checked bags.  In the Autumn we 
will launch a new business service which will allow business customers avail of exciting new benefits including 
flexible tickets, fast-track through security at many airports, reserved seating and free checked in bags, all for a 
small premium on our very low fares. These efforts have been complimented with a brand new Ryanair mobile 
app  which  was  launched  in  mid  July  and  will  make  Ryanair‘s  fares  and  services  even  more  accessible  to 
customers on the go.    

We  have  widened  the  availability  and  distribution  of  Ryanair‘s  low  fares  and  flights  with  a  return  to  GDS 
distribution  via  new  partnerships  with  Travelport  (the  operator  of  the  Galileo  and  Worldspan  GDS‘s),  with 
Google Flight Search feature here in Europe, and the brilliant ―fare finder‖ facility on our website (which allows 
customers  to  readily  find  our  lowest  fares,  our  price  promotions,  or  to  enter  a  range  of  prices  and  we  then 
produce the range of destinations that they can travel to at these price points). 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our airport partnerships 
Over the past year there has been a noticeable change in our airport strategy.  For many years we focused our 
growth on low cost services to secondary airports at primary cities, or primary airports in regional cities, where 
low costs and efficient facilities were readily available.   

Over the last 12 months an increasing number of major city primary airports are offering Ryanair low costs and 
efficient facilities in return for new route and/or traffic growth on existing routes, in many cases to make up for 
traffic declines at those primary airports by their incumbent carriers. 

This has seen Ryanair announce new bases and growth at a number of primary airports last year including long-
term incentive schemes at London Stansted and Dublin (where we applaud the Irish Government‘s decision to 
scrap  the  damaging  travel  tax),  and  we  have  also  welcomed  new  primary  airports  to  our  network  including 
Athens,  Brussels  Zaventem,  Lisbon,  Rome  Fiumicino,  Cologne,  Gdansk,  Warsaw  Modlin  and  Glasgow  Intl. 
among  others.    While  many  of  these  airports  are  slightly  more  expensive  than  our  186  existing  airports,  our 
experience  has  shown  that  passengers  at  these  airports  prefer  Ryanair‘s  low  fares  over  the  much  higher  fares 
being charged by other so called low cost carriers, or flag carriers, and so they switch to Ryanair in significant 
numbers to make significant savings on their travel costs. 

We will continue to roll out new products, new services and new routes, as we make the customer experience 
when flying with Ryanair the best in the business.  We plan to reduce the cost of flying for individual customers, 
for  families  and  for  businesses.    We  will  offer  more  choice  of  services,  with  an  increasing  range  of  flights 
to/from many of Europe‘s primary airports, and we will continue to offer Europe‘s consumers lower fares than 
all other airlines, as well as a better customer experience. 

Digital 
While the Ryanair.com website is Europe‘s largest travel website, we have been slow over the past year or two 
to invest or improve our website, and to address new mobile technology as it develops rapidly.  As a result we 
have  allowed  higher  fare  competitors  to  develop  better  websites  and  mobile  platforms  than  those  of  Ryanair.  
This will not happen again.  Over the last year we have transformed the Ryanair.com website to make it easier 
to use, and we have launched a great new mobile app which makes Ryanair‘s fares, flights and ancillary services 
readily available to our customers on smartphones, laptops and other mobile devices. 

We are not content to rest on these laurels.  We are actively developing our  Ryanair Labs team which will be 
charged with developing Ryanair‘s presence on all digital platforms, expanding the range of services we offer, 
entering into partnerships with other digital leaders, and investing in emerging trends such as wearable devices, 
travel package holidays and related products and services. 

Our people 
Over the past year average numbers employed in Ryanair rose from 9,059 to 9,501.  Of this number more than 
560  people  were  promoted  as  our  growth  created  new  opportunities  for  promotion,  career  progression  and 
development.  Despite  the  difficult  economic  environment,  and  a  decline  in  profits,  we  agreed  a  modest  pay 
increase  in  April  for our team.   We have also  negotiated  5  year pay and condition deals  with our cabin crew 
bases and 12 of our pilot bases, directly with our people, when their previous 5 year deals ended in March. 

We were pleased to move into our new Dublin offices in January 2014, where we have created an exciting and 
engaging environment for all our people and which affords us the space to grow our team and invest in IT and 
digital  specialists.    We  are  pleased  that  Ryanair‘s  new  offices  (which  were  designed  by  our  people)  were 
recently ranked one of Ireland‘s top 8 ―coolest office spaces‖ and we hope that many shareholders will take the 
time to visit us in our great new space over the coming months. 

Our Shareholders 
Unlike other airlines, Ryanair continues to deliver substantial returns for our shareholders.  Because our Board 
and  Management  team  own  a  significant  stake  in  the  airline,  we  think,  we  plan,  we  invest,  and  we  act  like 
shareholders because we are significant shareholders.   

Over  the  past  year,  we  completed  share  buybacks  of  over  €480m  and,  subject  to  shareholder  approval  at  the 
forthcoming AGM, we plan to pay a third special dividend of approx. €520m to shareholders in Q4 of this fiscal 
year.  

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We  recently  completed  our  first  unsecured  eurobond  debt facility,  raising  €850m  for  a  7  year  period  at  fixed 
interest rates of less than 2%.  We  will face significant aircraft capex payments over the next 12 months, and 
once we have completed this significant investment, we will look again to improve shareholder returns both by 
growing our profits and share price, and by completing more share buybacks and special dividends when our net 
cash position allows us to do so. 

Having  returned  over  €2.5bn  to  our  shareholders  over  the  past  7  years,  Ryanair  will  continue  to  look  for 
opportunities to reward our shareholders for their investment in, and support for, our airline. 

I  would  like  to  sincerely  thank  all  the  team  at  Ryanair  for  their  hard  work  and  dedication  over  the  past  12 
months.  I would especially like to thank our Chairman, David Bonderman, who continues to provide strategic 
guidance and wise counsel.  We are extremely fortunate to have someone of David‘s stature and experience in 
the  business  and  despite  his  somewhat  dodgy  dress  sense  and  musical  taste  I  hope  he  will  continue  to  chair 
Ryanair for many years to come. 

Finally,  may  I  close  by  thanking  all  of  Ryanair‘s  82m  customers  who  have  flown  with  us  over  the  last  12 
months.    We  value  your  business  and  we  are  honoured  that  you  chose  to  fly  with  Ryanair.    I  hope  we  will 
continue to welcome you and your families on board many more Ryanair flights in the future. 

Yours sincerely, 

Michael O‘Leary 
Chief Executive 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary Operating and Financial Overview 

Consolidated Income Statement Data 

IFRS 
Year 
Ended 
Mar 31, 
2014 
€M 

IFRS 
Year 
Ended 
Mar 31, 
2013 
€M 

Operating revenues 
Scheduled revenues ...............................................................................    
Ancillary revenues .................................................................................  
Total operating revenues- continuing operations 

3,789.5 
1,247.2 
5,036.7 

3,819.8 
1,064.2 
4,884.0 

Operating expenses 
Fuel and oil ........................................................................................... . 
Airport and handling charges ................................................................ . 
Route charges ....................................................................................... . 
Staff costs ............................................................................................. . 
Depreciation ..........................................................................................  
Marketing, distribution & other ............................................................ . 
Maintenance, materials and repairs .......................................................  
Aircraft rentals ...................................................................................... . 
Total operating expenses 

2,013.1 
617.2 
522.0 
463.6 
351.8 
192.8 
116.1 
101.5 
4,378.1 

1,885.6 
611.6 
486.6 
435.6 
329.6 
197.9 
120.7 
98.2 
4,165.8 

Operating profit – continuing operations 

658.6 

718.2 

Other income / (expense) 
Finance expense .....................................................................................  
Finance income ......................................................................................  
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain .................................................................  
Total other expense 

Profit  before tax 

Tax expense on profit on ordinary activities........................................ .. 

Profit  for the period - all attributable to equity holders of parent 

(83.2) 
16.5 
(0.5) 
(67.2) 

591.4 

(68.6) 

522.8 

(99.3) 
27.4 
4.6 
(67.3) 

650.9 

(81.6) 

569.3 

Earnings per ordinary share (in € cent) 
Basic .................................................................................................... .. 
Diluted ................................................................................................. .. 
Weighted avg. no. of ordinary shares (in M‟s) 
Basic ..................................................................................................... . 
Diluted ................................................................................................. .. 

36.96 
36.86 

39.45 
39.33 

1,414.6 
1,418.2 

1,443.1 
1,447.4 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary year ended March 31, 2014 

Profit after tax decreased by 8% to €522.8 million compared to €569.3 million in the year ended March 
31, 2013 primarily due to a 5% increase in total operating expenses and a 4% reduction in average fares, offset 
by  strong  ancillary  revenues  and  increased  traffic.  Total  operating  revenues  increased  by  3%  to  €5,036.7 
million,  primarily  due  to  the  17%  growth  in  ancillary  revenues  to  €1,247.2  million  and  a  3%  rise  in  traffic,  
offset by a 4% reduction in average fares.  

Total revenue per passenger, as a result, remained flat. Load Factor increased by 1% to 83% compared 

to the year ended March 31, 2013. 

Total  operating  expenses  increased  by  5%  to  €4,378.1  million,  due  to  increased  fuel  prices  and  the  
higher level of activity.  Fuel, which represents 46% of total operating costs compared to 45% in the prior year, 
increased by 7% to €2,013.1 million due to the higher euro price per gallon paid and increased activity in the 
year.  Unit costs excluding fuel increased by 1% (sector length adjusted unit costs fell by 3%) and including 
fuel they rose by 2%.  Operating margin decreased by 2% to 13% whilst operating profit decreased by 8% to 
€658.6 million. 

Net margin was down 2% to 10%, compared to March 31, 2013.  

Basic earnings per share for the year were 36.96 euro cent compared to basic earnings per share of 39.45 

euro cent at March 31, 2013.                 

10 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
N 
 REPORT & F NANCIAL STATE MENTS 2007 
Introduction 

Directors‟ Report 

 The directors present their Annual Report and audited consolidated and company financial statements of 
Ryanair Holdings plc (―the Company‖) a public limited company incorporated in the Republic of Ireland, and its 
subsidiary undertakings (with the company and the subsidiaries being together ―the Group‖) for the year ended 
31 March 2014.  

Review of business activities and future developments in the business 

The Company operates an ultra low fares airline business and plans to continue to develop this activity 
by expanding its successful low fares formula on new and existing routes. Information on the Company is set 
out on pages 63 to 86 of the Annual Report. A review of the Company‘s operations for the year is set out on 
pages 86 to 105 of the Annual Report. 

Results for the year 

Details  of  the  results  for  the  year  are  set  out  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  on  page  145  of  the 

Annual Report and in the related notes to the financial statements. 

Principle risks and uncertainties 

Details of the principle risks and uncertainties facing the Company are set forth on pages 47 to 62 of the 

Annual Report. 

Key performance indicators 

Details of the key performance indicators relevant to the business are set forth on pages 46; 63 to 86; and 

86 to 105 of the Annual Report. 

Financial risk management 

Details of the Company‘s financial risk management objectives and policies and exposures to market risk 

are set forth in Note 11 on pages 172 to 182 of the consolidated financial statements. 

Share capital 

The  number  of  ordinary  shares  in  issue  at  March  31,  2014  was  1,383,237,668  (2013:  1,447,051,752; 
2012: 1,455,593,261).  Details of the classes of shares in issue and the related rights and obligations are more 
fully set out in Note 15 on pages 185 to 186 of the consolidated financial statements. 

Accounting records 

The  directors  believe  that  they  have  complied  with  the  requirements  of  Section  202  of  the  Companies 
Act, 1990 with regard to books of account by employing financial personnel with appropriate expertise and by 
providing adequate resources to the financial function. The books of account of the Company are maintained 
at its registered office, Airside Business Park, Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland. 

Company information 

The Company was incorporated on August 23, 1996 with a registered number of 249885. It is domiciled 
in the Republic of Ireland and has its registered offices at Airside Business Park, Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland. 
It is a public limited company and operates under the laws of Ireland. 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Staff 

At March 31, 2014, the Company had a team of 8,992 people. This compares to 9,137 people at March 

31, 2013 and 8,388 people at March 31, 2012.  

Substantial interests in share capital 

Details of substantial interests in the share capital of the Company which represent more than 3% of the 
issued share capital are set forth on page 114 of the Annual Report. At March 31, 2014 the free float in shares 
was 96%. 

Directors and company secretary 

The  names  of  the  directors  are  listed  on  pages  106  and  107  of  the  Annual  Report.  The  name  of  the 
company  secretary  is  listed  on  page  111  of  the  Annual  Report.  Details  of  the  appointment  and  re-election  of 
directors are set forth on page 16 of the Annual Report.  

Interests of directors and company secretary  

The directors and company secretary who held office at March 31, 2014 had no interests other than those 
outlined in Note 19 on page 189 of the consolidated financial statements in the shares of the Company or other 
group companies. 

Directors‟ and senior executives‟ remuneration 

The  Company‘s  policy  on  senior  executive  remuneration  is  to  reward  its  executives  competitively, 
having regard to the comparative marketplace in Ireland and the United Kingdom, in order to ensure that they 
are properly motivated to perform in the best interests of the shareholders. Details of total remuneration paid 
to  senior  key  management  (defined  as  the  executive  team  reporting  to  the  Board  of  Directors)  is  set  out  in 
Note 27 on page 200 of the consolidated financial statements. 

Executive director‟s service contract 

Ryanair  entered  into  an  employment  agreement  with  its  only  executive  director,  Michael  O‘Leary  on 
July 1, 2002 for a one year period to June 30, 2003. Thereafter, the agreement continues for successive annual 
periods but may be terminated with 12 months notice by either party.  Mr. O‘Leary is subject to a covenant not 
to compete with the Company within the EU for a period of one year after the termination of his employment 
with  the  Company.  Michael  O‘Leary‘s  employment  agreement  contains  no  provisions  providing  for 
compensation on its termination. 

Dividend policy 

Details of the Company‘s dividend policy are disclosed on page 121 of the Annual Report. 

Share buy-back  

On  June  20,  2013  the  Company  detailed  plans  to  return  up  to  €1.0  billion  to  shareholders  over  the 
following two years. At March 31, 2014 €481.7 million has been returned via share buybacks and the balance 
(in special dividends) is to be completed in the fiscal year 2015 (subject to profitability and shareholder approval 
at the AGM on September 25, 2014). 

 In the year ended March 31, 2014 the Company bought back 69.5 million ordinary shares (including just 
over 6.0 million American Depositary Receipts (ADR‘s), which each represented five ordinary shares) at a total 
cost  of  €481.7  million.    This  is  equivalent  to  approximately  4.8%  of  the  Company‘s  issued  share  capital  at 
March 31, 2013.  All ordinary shares repurchased were cancelled. Accordingly, share capital decreased by 69.5 
million ordinary shares with a nominal value of €0.4 million and the capital redemption reserve increased by a 
corresponding €0.4 million.  The capital redemption reserve is required to be created under Irish law to preserve 
permanent capital in the Parent Company. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accountability and audit 

The directors have set out their responsibility for the preparation of the financial statements on page 30 to 
31. They have also considered the going concern position of the Company and their conclusion is set out on 
page  28.  The  Board  has  established  an  Audit  Committee  whose  principal  tasks  are  to  consider  financial 
reporting and internal control issues.  The  Audit Committee,  which consists exclusively  of independent  non-
executive  directors,  meets  at  least  quarterly  to  review  the  financial  statements  of  the  Company,  to  consider 
internal control procedures and to liaise with internal and external auditors. In the year ended March 31, 2014 
the Audit Committee met on five occasions. On a quarterly basis the Audit Committee receives an extensive 
report  from  the  internal  auditor  detailing  the  reviews  performed  in  the  year,  and  a  risk  assessment  of  the 
Company. This report is used by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors, as a basis for determining 
the  effectiveness  of  internal  control.    The  Audit  Committee  regularly  considers  the  performance  of  internal 
audit and how best financial reporting and internal control principles should be applied.  

In addition, the Audit Committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing 
the  work of the independent auditor. The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit 
services provided by the independent auditor. 

Social, environmental and ethical report 

See pages 112 to 113 of the Annual Report for details of employee and labour relations.  
See pages 83 to 85 of the Annual Report for details on environmental matters.  
See page 143 of the Annual Report for details of Ryanair‘s Code of Ethics. 

Air safety 

Commitment to air safety is a priority of the Company. See page 73 of the Annual Report for details. 

Critical accounting policies 

Details  of  the  Company‘s  critical  accounting  policies  are  set  forth  on  pages  91  to  92  of  the  Annual 

Report.  

Subsidiary companies 

Details of the principal subsidiary undertakings are disclosed in Note 27 on page 200 of the consolidated 

financial statements. 

Political contributions 

During  the  financial  years  ended  March  31,  2014,  2013  and  2012  the  Company  made  no  political 

contributions which require disclosure under the Electoral Act, 1997. 

Corporate Governance Statement 

The Corporate Governance Statement on pages 15 to 28 forms part of the Directors‘ Report. 

Post balance sheet events 

Details of significant post balance sheet events are  set  forth in  Note 26 on page  199  of the consolidated 

financial statements.  

On April 30, 2014, the Company agreed to purchase an additional 5 Boeing 737 800 ―Next Generation‖ 
aircraft for delivery in fiscal 2016, bringing the total number of aircraft to be purchased from Boeing to 180 for 
delivery between fiscal year 2015 and 2019. 

 In  the  first  quarter  fiscal  year  2015,  the  Company  entered  into  8  short-term  leases  between  May  and 

September 2014 to support the capacity requirements prior to delivery of new aircraft in September 2014. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On May 19, 2014, the Company indicated that it plans to pay a special dividend of up to €520 million in 
the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  year  2015,  subject  to  shareholder  approval  at  its  annual  general  meeting  on 
September 25, 2014. 

On June 10 2014 the Company issued an unsecured €850.0 million eurobond at 1.875%, fixed for 7 years.  
This is Ryanair‘s first ever eurobond debt issuance and is part of its plans to access the debt capital markets to 
source  low  cost  financing  for  its  new  180  Boeing  737-800  New  Generation  order,    deliveries  of  which 
commence in September 2014.  

Auditor 

In  accordance  with  Section  160(2)  of  the  Companies  Act  1963,  the  auditor  KPMG,  Chartered 

Accountants, will continue in office. 

Annual General Meeting 

The Annual General Meeting will be held on September 25, 2014 at 9a.m. in the Ryanair Dublin Office, 

Airside Business Park, Swords, Co Dublin, Ireland.  

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman                       
July 25, 2014 

Michael O‟ Leary 
Chief Executive 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Report 

Ryanair  has  its  primary  listing  on  the  Irish  Stock  Exchange,  a  standard  listing  on  the  London  Stock 
Exchange  and  its  American  Depositary  Shares  are  listed  on  the  NASDAQ.  The  directors  are  committed  to 
maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance and this statement describes how Ryanair has applied 
the main and supporting principles of the 2012 UK Corporate Governance Code (the 2012 Code).  This Report 
also covers the disclosure requirements set out in the corporate governance annex to the listing rules of the Irish 
Stock Exchange, which supplements the 2012 Code with additional corporate governance provisions and is also 
applicable to Ryanair.   

A  copy  of  the  2012  Code  can  be  obtained  from  the  Financial  Reporting  Council‘s  website, 
www.frc.org.uk.  The  Irish  Corporate  Governance  Annex  is  available  on  the  Irish  Stock  Exchange‘s  website, 
www.ise.ie.    

The Board of Directors (the Board) 

Roles 

The Board of Ryanair is responsible for the leadership, strategic direction and oversight of management of 
the Group. The Board‘s primary focus is on strategy formulation, policy and control. It has a formal schedule of 
matters specifically reserved to it for its attention, including matters such as approval of the annual budget, large 
capital expenditure, and key strategic decisions. 

Other matters reserved to the Board include treasury policy, internal control, audit and risk management, 

remuneration of the non-executive Directors and Executive management and Corporate Governance. 

The  Board  has  delegated  responsibility  for  the  management  of  the  Group  to  the  Chief  Executive  and 

executive management. 

There is a clear division of responsibilities between the Chairman and the Chief Executive, which is set out 

in writing and has been approved by the Board.   

Chairman 

David Bonderman has served as the chairman of the Board since December 1996. The Chairman‘s primary 
responsibility  is  to  lead  the  Board,  to  ensure  that  it  has  a  common  purpose,  is  effective  as  a  group  and  at 
individual director level and that it upholds and promotes high standards of integrity and corporate governance. 
He ensures that Board agendas cover the key strategic issues confronting the Group; that the Board reviews and 
approves  management‘s  plans  for  the  Group;  and  that  directors  receive  accurate,  timely,  clear  and  relevant 
information. 

The  Chairman  is  the  link  between  the  Board  and  the  Company.  He  is  specifically  responsible  for 
establishing and maintaining an effective working relationship with the Chief Executive, for ensuring effective 
and  appropriate  communications  with  shareholders  and  for  ensuring  that  members  of  the  Board  develop  and 
maintain an understanding of the views of shareholders. 

While  David  Bonderman  holds  a  number  of  other  directorships  (See  details  on  page  106),  the  Board 

considers that these do not interfere with the discharge of his duties to Ryanair.   

Senior Independent Director 

The Board has appointed James Osborne as the Senior Independent Director. James Osborne is available to 
shareholders  who  have  concerns  that  cannot  be  addressed  through  the  Chairman,  Chief  Executive  or  Chief 
Financial Officer and leads the annual Board review of the performance of the Chairman.   

Company Secretary 

The  appointment  and  removal  of  the  Company  Secretary  is  a  matter  for  the  Board.  All  directors  have 
access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary, who is responsible to the Board for ensuring  that 
Board procedures are complied with. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Membership 

The Board consists of one executive and nine non-executive directors. It is the practice of Ryanair that a 
majority of the Board comprises non-executive directors, considered by the Board to be independent, and that 
the Chairman is non-executive.  The Board considers the current size, composition and diversity of the Board to 
be within a range which is appropriate.  The composition of the Board and the principal Board Committees are 
set out in the table below. Brief biographies of the directors are set out on pages 106 and 107. The Board, with 
the assistance of the Nomination Committee, keeps Board composition under review to ensure that it includes 
the necessary mix of relevant skills and experience required to perform its role. 

Each director has extensive business experience, which they bring to bear in governing the Company. The 
Board considers that, between them, the directors bring the range of skills, knowledge and experience, including 
international  experience,  necessary  to  lead  the  Company.  The  Company  has  a  Chairman  with  an  extensive 
background in this industry, and significant public company experience. Historically, the Company has always 
separated the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive for the running of the business and implementation of the 
Board‘s strategy and policy.   

Committees 

Audit  Remuneration 

Nomination 

Executive 

Air 
Safety 

Name 

Role 

Independent 

David 
Bonderman 
Michael 
Horgan 
Charles 
McCreevy 
Declan 
McKeon 

Chairman 

Non 
Executive 
Non 
Executive 
Non 
Executive 

Kyran 
McLaughlin 

Non 
Executive 

Dick 
Milliken(i) 
Michael 
O‘Leary 
Julie 
O‘Neill 
James 
Osborne(ii) 
Louise 
Phelan 

Non 
Executive 
Chief 
Executive 
Non 
Executive 
Senior 
Independent 
Non 
Executive 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Years 
on 
board 

18 

13 

4 

4 

13 

- 

- 

Member 

Chair 

1 

Member 

18 

1 

18 

1 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Member 

Chair 

Member 

Chair 

Chair 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Member 

Member 

- 

- 

Member 

Member 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Member 

- 

Chair 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(i) 
(ii) 

Dick Milliken was appointed to the Audit Committee effective from August 5, 2013 
James Osborne retired from the Audit Committee effective August 5, 2013. 

Appointment 

Directors  can  only  be  appointed  following  selection  by  the  Nomination  Committee  and  approval  by  the 
Board and must be elected by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting following their appointment. The 
focus  of  the  Board,  through  the  Nomination  Committee,  is  to  maintain  a  Board  comprising  the  relevant 
expertise, quality and experience required by Ryanair to advance the Company and shareholder value. Ryanair 
recognise the benefits of gender diversity. Ryanair‘s Articles of Association require that all of the directors retire 
and  offer  themselves  for  re-election  within  a  three-year  period.  One  third  (rounded  down  to  the  next  whole 
number if it is a fractional number) of the directors (being the directors who have been longest in office) will 
retire  by  rotation  and  be  eligible  for  re-election  at  every  Annual  General  Meeting.  Accordingly  David 
Bonderman,  James  Osborne  and  Michael  O‘Leary  will  be  offering  themselves  for  re-election  at  the  AGM  on 
September  25,  2014.   In  addition,  Michael  Cawley,  who  was  Ryanair‘s  Chief  Operating  Officer  up  to  March 
2014 will also offer himself for appointment to the Board of Directors at the next Annual General Meeting. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
In accordance with the recommendations of the 2012 Code, Declan McKeon is Chairman of the Audit 
Committee and James Osborne, the senior non-executive director, is Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. 

Senior  Management  regularly  briefs  the  Board,  including  new  members,  in  relation  to  operating, 
financial and strategic issues concerning the Company. The Board also have direct access to senior management 
as  required  in  relation  to  any  issues  they  have  concerning  the  operation  of  the  Company.  The  terms  and 
conditions  of  appointment  of  non-executive  directors  are  set  out  in  their  letters  of  appointment,  which  are 
available  for  inspection  at  the  Company‘s  registered  office  during  normal  office  hours  and  at  the  Annual 
General Meeting of the Company. 

Independence 

The Board has carried out its annual evaluation of the independence of each of its non-executive directors, 
taking account of the relevant provisions of the  2012 Code, namely,  whether the  directors are independent in 
character and judgement and free from relationships or circumstances which are likely to affect, or could appear 
to  affect,  the  directors‘  judgment.  The  Board  regards  all  of  the  directors  as  independent  and  that  no  one 
individual or one grouping exerts an undue influence on others.  

The Board has considered Kyran McLaughlin's independence given his role as Deputy Chairman and Head 
of Capital Markets at Davy Stockbrokers. Davy Stockbrokers are one of Ryanair's corporate brokers and provide 
corporate  advisory  services  to  Ryanair  from  time  to  time.  The  Board  has  considered  the  fees  paid  to  Davy 
Stockbrokers  for  these  services  and  believe  that  they  are  immaterial  to  both  Ryanair  and  Davy  Stockbrokers 
given  the  size  of  each  organisation's  business  operations  and  financial  results.  Having  considered  this 
relationship,  the  Board  has  concluded  that  Kyran  McLaughlin  continues  to  be  an  independent  non-executive 
director within the spirit and meaning of the 2012 Code Rules. 

The Board has also considered the independence of David Bonderman given his shareholding in Ryanair 
Holdings  plc.  As  at  March  31,  2014,  David  Bonderman  had  a  beneficial  shareholding  in  the  Company  of 
7,655,671 ordinary shares, equivalent to 0.55% of the issued share capital. Having considered this shareholding 
in  light  of  the  number  of  issued  shares  in  Ryanair  Holdings  plc  and  the  financial  interest  of  the  director,  the 
Board has concluded that the interest is not so material as to breach the spirit of the independence rule contained 
in the 2012 Code.  

The Board has further considered the independence of Messrs. David Bonderman, James Osborne,  Kyran 
McLaughlin  and  Michael  Horgan  as  they  have  each  served  more  than  nine  years  on  the  Board.  The  Board 
considers  that  each  of  these  directors  is  independent  in  character  and  judgment  as  each  has  other  significant 
commercial and professional  commitments and each brings his own level of senior experience gained in their 
fields  of  international  business  and  professional  practice.  When  arriving  at  this  decision,  the  Board  has  taken 
into account the comments made by the FRC in their report dated December, 2009 on their review of the impact 
and effectiveness of the Code, in particular their comment  that independence is  not the  primary consideration 
when assessing the composition of the Board, and that the over-riding consideration should be that the Board is 
fit for purpose. For these reasons, and also because each director‘s independence is considered annually by the 
Board, the Board considers it appropriate that these directors have not been offered for annual re-election as is 
recommended by the 2012 Code.  The Nominations Committee have confirmed to the Board that they consider 
the directors offering themselves for re-election at the 2014 AGM to be independent and that they continue to 
effectively  contribute  to  the  work  of  the  Board.  The  Nominations  Committee  recommends  that  the  Company 
accept the re-election of the directors.  

Board Procedures 

All  directors  have  access  to  the  advice  and  services  of  the  Company  Secretary  and  the  Board  has 
established a procedure whereby directors wishing to obtain advice in the furtherance of their duties may take 
independent professional advice at the Company‘s expense. 

Directors  meet  with  key executives  with a  particular  focus on ensuring non-executive  directors are fully 
informed  on  issues  of  relevance  to  Ryanair  and  its  operations.  Extensive  papers  on  key  business  issues  are 
provided  to  all  directors  in  connection  with  the  Board  meetings.  All  directors  are  encouraged  to  update  and 
refresh  their  skills  and  knowledge,  for  example,  through  attending  courses  on  technical  areas  or  external 
briefings for non-executive directors.  

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  Company  has  Directors  &  Officers  liability  insurance  in  place  in  respect  of  any  legal  actions  taken 
against the directors in the course of the exercise of their duties. New non-executive directors are encouraged to 
meet the executive director and senior management for briefing on the Company‘s developments and plans. 

Meetings 

The  Board  meets  at  least  on  a  quarterly  basis  and  in  the  year  to  March  31,  2014  the  Board  convened 
meetings on nine occasions. Individual attendance at these meetings is set out in the table on page 24. Detailed 
Board papers are circulated in advance so that Board members have adequate time and information to be able to 
participate fully at the meeting. 

The  holding  of  detailed  regular  Board  meetings  and  the  fact  that  many  matters  require  Board  approval, 
show that the running of the  Company  is  firmly in the  hands of the Board.  The  non-executive  directors  meet 
periodically  without  executives  being  present.  Led  by  the  senior  independent  director,  the  non-executive 
directors will meet without the Chairman present at least annually to appraise the Chairman‘s performance and 
on such other occasions as are deemed appropriate.   

Remuneration 

Details of remuneration paid to the directors are set out in Note 19 to the consolidated Financial Statements 
on pages 189 to 191. Also, please see the Report of the Remuneration Committee on Directors‘ Remuneration 
on page 29. 

Non-executive directors 

Non-executive directors are remunerated by way of directors‘ fees.  A number of non-executive directors 
have share options. While the 2012 Code notes that the remuneration of the non-executive director should not 
include share options, the Board believes that the quantum of options granted to non-executive directors is not 
so  significant  as  to  raise  any  issue  concerning  their  independence.  Michael  Horgan  is  remunerated  on  a 
consultancy basis on safety issues and also by way of share options.   

Full  details  are  disclosed  in  Note  19(b)  and  19(d)  on  pages  190  to  191  of  the  consolidated  financial 

statements. 

Executive director remuneration 

The Chief Executive of the Company is the only executive director on the Board. In addition to his base 
salary he is eligible for a performance bonus of up to  100% of salary and other bonuses dependent upon the 
achievement of certain financial targets and a pension. It is considered that the significant shareholding of the 
Chief  Executive  acts  to  align  his  interests  with  those  of  shareholders  and  gives  him  a  keen  incentive  to 
perform to the highest levels.   

Full  details  of  the  executive  director‘s  remuneration  are  set  out  in  Note  19(a)  on  page  190  of  the 

consolidated financial statements. 

Share Ownership and Dealing 

Details  of  the  directors‘  interests  in  Ryanair  shares  are  set  out  in  Note  19(d)  on  page  191  of  the 

consolidated financial statements. 

The Board has adopted The Model Code, as set out in the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange and 
the  UK  Listing  Authority,  as  the  code  of  dealings  applicable  to  dealings  in  Ryanair  shares  by  directors  and 
relevant  Company  employees.  The  code  of  dealing  also  includes  provisions  which  are  intended  to  ensure 
compliance  with  US  securities  laws  and  regulations  of  the  NASDAQ  National  market.  Under  the  policy, 
directors  are  required  to  obtain  clearance  from  the  Chairman  or  Chief  Executive  before  dealing  in  Ryanair 
shares, whilst relevant Company employees must obtain clearance from designated senior management and are 
prohibited from dealing in the shares during prohibited periods as defined by the Listing Rules and at any time 
at  which  the  individual  is  in  possession  of  inside  information  (as  defined  in  the  Market  Abuse  (Directive 
2003/6/EC) Regulations 2005). 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Board Succession and Structure  

The Board plans for its own succession with guidance from the Nomination Committee. The Nomination 
Committee regularly review the structure, size and composition (including the skills, knowledge and experience) 
required  of  the  Board  compared  to  its  current  position  with  regard  to  the  strategic  needs  of  Ryanair  and 
recommends changes to the Board. There is a formal, thorough and transparent procedure for the appointment of 
new  directors  to  the  Board.  The  Nominations  Committee  identifies  and  selects  candidates  on  merit  against 
objective criteria, to ensure that the Board have the skills, knowledge and expertise required. 

 The  Board  currently  comprises  of  ten  directors,  Chief  Executive  Officer,  Michael  O‘  Leary,  is  the  only 
executive  director.  The  nine  non-executive  directors  include  Chairman  David  Bonderman.  Biographies  of  all 
current directors are set out on pages 106 of this report. Ryanair considers that the Board has the correct balance 
and depth of skills, knowledge, expertise and experience to optimally lead the Company and that all  directors 
give adequate time to the performance of their duties and responsibilities.  

Ryanair considers that all  directors discharge their directorial duties  with the objectivity and impartiality 
they  have  demonstrated  since  commencing  their  respective  roles  and  has  determined  that  each  of  the  non-
executive  directors  is  independent.  In  reaching  that  conclusion,  Ryanair  considered  the  character,  judgement, 
objectivity and integrity of each director and had due regard for the 2012 Code.  Ryanair continually endeavors 
to maintain the quality and independence of its Board.  

Board Committees 

The Board of Directors has established a number of committees, including the following: 

Executive Committee  

The Board of Directors established the Executive Committee in August 1996. The Executive Committee 
can  exercise  the  powers  exercisable  by  the  full  Board  of  Directors  in  circumstances  in  which  action  by  the 
Board  of  Directors  is  required  but  it  is  impracticable  to  convene  a  meeting  of  the  full  Board  of  Directors. 
Messrs. David Bonderman,  Michael  O‘Leary,  Kyran McLaughlin and James  Osborne  are the  members of the 
Executive Committee. 

Audit Committee 

 The Board of Directors established the Audit Committee in September 1996.  

Names and qualifications of members of the Audit Committee 

The  Audit  Committee  currently  comprises  three  independent,  for  purposes  of  the  listing  rules  of  the 
NASDAQ and the U.S.  federal securities laws,  non-executive  directors, Mr Declan McKeon  (Chairman),  Mr 
Charles  McCreevy  and  Mr  Richard  Milliken.  The  Board  has  determined  that  Mr  Declan  McKeon  is  the 
Committee‘s  financial  expert.  It  can  be  seen  from  the  directors‘  biographies  appearing  on  page  106,  that  the 
members of the committee bring to it a wide range of experience and expertise, much of which is particularly 
appropriate for membership of the Audit Committee.   

Number of Audit Committee meetings  

The  Committee  met  five  times  during  the  year  ended  March  31,  2014.  Individual  attendance  at  these 
meetings is set out in the table on page 24. The Chief Financial Officer, Finance Director, Financial Controller 
and  the  Head  of  Internal  Audit  normally  attend  meetings  of  the  Committee.    The  external  auditors  attend  as 
required and have direct access to the Committee Chairman at all times. The Committee also meets separately at 
least once a year with the external auditors and with the Head of Internal Audit without executive management 
being present.  The Head of Internal Audit has direct access to the Audit Committee Chairman at all times. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary of the role of the Audit Committee 

The role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set out in its written terms of reference, which are 

available on the Company‘s website www.ryanair.com, and include: 

  monitoring  the  integrity  of  the  financial  statements  of  the  Group  and  any  formal  announcements 
relating  to  the  Group‘s  financial  performance,  profit  guidance  and  reviewing  significant  financial 
reporting judgments contained in them; 

 

 

 

 

considering  significant  issues  in  relation  to  the  financial  statements,  having  regard  to  matters 
communicated to it by the auditors; 

reviewing  the  interim  and  annual  financial  statements  and  annual  report  before  submission  to  the 
Board,  including advising the Board whether, taken as a whole, the content of the annual report and 
Form 20F is fair balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the company‘s performance, business model and strategy; 

reviewing the effectiveness of the Group‘s internal financial controls and risk management systems;   

reviewing Turnbull Risk Management reports completed by management; 

  monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the Group‘s Internal auditors;   

 

 

 

 

 

considering and making recommendations to the Board in relation to the appointment,  reappointment 
and removal of the external auditors and approving their terms of engagement; 

reviewing with the external auditors the plans for and scope of each annual audit, the audit procedures 
to be utilised and the results of the audit;  

approving the remuneration of the external auditors, for audit and non audit services and ensuring the 
level of fees is appropriate to enable an adequate audit to be conducted;   

assessing  annually  the  independence  and  objectivity  of  the  external  auditors  and  the  effectiveness  of 
the audit process, taking into consideration relevant professional and regulatory requirements and the 
relationship with the external auditors as a whole, including the provision of any non audit services;  

reviewing the Group‘s arrangements for its employees to raise concerns, in confidence, about possible 
wrongdoing  in  financial  reporting  or  other  matters  and  ensuring  that  these  arrangements  allow 
proportionate and independent investigation of such matters and appropriate follow up action. 

  The terms of Reference of the Audit Committee are reviewed annually.  

These responsibilities of the Committee are discharged in the following ways: 

  The Committee reviews the interim and annual reports as well as any formal announcements relating to 
the financial statements and guidance before submission to the Board. The review focuses particularly 
on any changes in accounting policy and practices, major judgmental areas and compliance with stock 
exchange, legal and regulatory requirements. The Committee receives reports at the meeting from the 
external auditors identifying any accounting or judgmental issues requiring its attention;   

  The Committee also meets with external auditors to review the Annual Report and Form 20F, which is 
filed  annually  with  the  United  States  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  and  with  the  Irish 
Companies Office;  

  The Committee regularly reviews Turnbull Risk management reports completed by management; 

  The  Committee  conducts  an  annual  assessment  of  the  operation  of  the  Group‘s  system  of  internal 
control  based  on  a  detailed  review  carried  out  by  the  internal  audit  department.  The  results  of  this 
assessment are reviewed by the Committee and are reported to the Board; 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  The  Committee  makes  recommendations  to  the  Board  in  relation  to  the  appointment  of  the  external 
auditor. Each year, the Committee meets with the external auditor and reviews their procedures and the 
safeguards  which  have  been  put  in  place  to  ensure  their  objectivity  and  independence  in  accordance 
with regulatory and professional requirements; 

  The Committee reviews and approves the external audit plan and the findings from the external audit of 

the financial statements; 

  On a semi annual basis, the Audit Committee receives an extensive report from the Head of Internal 

Audit detailing the reviews performed during the year and a risk assessment of the Company;   

  The Head of Internal Audit also reports to the Committee on other issues including, in the year under 
review,  updates  in  relation  to  Section  404  of  the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  2002  and  the  arrangements  in 
place  to  enable  employees  to  raise  concerns,  in  confidence,  in  relation  to  possible  wrongdoing  in 
financial  reporting  or  other  matters.  (A  copy  of  Section  404  of  the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  2002  can  be 
obtained from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission‘s website, www.sec.gov); and 

  The  Committee  has  a  process  in  place  to  ensure  the  independence  of  the  audit  is  not  compromised, 
which includes monitoring the nature and extent of services provided by the external auditors through 
its  annual  review  of  fees  paid  to  the  external  auditors  for  audit  and  non-audit  work.  Details  of  the 
amounts paid to the external auditors during the year for audit and other services are set out in Note 19 
on page 189. 

In addition the Committee was requested by the board to consider whether the annual report, taken as a whole, is 
fair,  balanced  and  understandable,  and  provides  the  information  necessary  for  shareholders  to  assess  the 
company‘s  performance,  business  model  and  strategy.  In  doing  so,  the  Committee  considered  whether  the 
financial statements are consistent with the Chairman‘s Report, the Chief Executive‘s Report and operating and 
financial information elsewhere in the annual report.   

In considering the fairness, balance and understandability of the annual report, the Committee had regard to the 
significant  issues  considered  by  the  Committee  in  relation  to  the  financial  statements,  set  out  below.  Each  of 
these significant isssues was addressed in the report received from the external auditors and was discussed with 
management and the external auditors. 

The Committee reported to the board its conclusion that the annual report, taken as a whole is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the  Company‘s performance, 
business model and strategy. 

Significant issues considered by the Committee in relation to the financial statements and how these issues were 
addressed, having regard to matters communicated to it by the auditors 

  On  page  91,  one  of  the  critical  accounting  policies  referred  to  is  that  for  long  lived  assets.  There  is  a 
detailed description of the matters of estimate and the judgemental issues arising from the application of the 
Company‘s  policy  for  accounting  for  such  assets  and  how  the  Company  dealt  with  these.  The  Audit 
Committee  had  detailed  discussions  with  management  around  its  conclusions  in  relation  to  the  expected 
useful  lives  of  the  assets,  the  expected  residual  lives  of  the  assets  and  whether  there  are  impairment 
indicators in respect of the assets. In particular, while the airline industry as a whole has from time to time 
experienced  issues  which  would  present  as  impairment  indicators,  this  has  not  impacted  on  Ryanair, 
because  of  the  positive  cash  flows  these  long  lived  assets  generate.  The  Audit  Committee  agreed  with 
managements approach and conclusions in relation to the accounting for long lived assets; 

  On pages 91 and 92 the critical accounting policy for heavy maintenance is similarly described in detail, in 
particular the factors upon which Ryanair relied in making its estimates in determining the quantum of both 
the  initial  maintenance  asset  and  /  or  the  amount  of  provisions  to  be  recorded  and  the  respective  periods 
over  which  such  amounts  are  charged  to  income.  Having  considered  the  results  of  management‘s 
deliberations  in  this  area  and  the  reliability  of  estimates  made  in  previous  years,  the  Audit  Committee 
concurred  with  management‘s  approach  and  conclusions  in  relation  to  the  accounting  for  heavy 
maintenance;    

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  On page  92, one  of the  Risks related to the  Company that  is identified is that  ―Ryanair is Subject to Tax 
Audits‖,  which  by  their  nature  are  often  complex  and  can  require  several  years  to  conclude.  The  Audit 
Committee  considered  the  key  judgements  made  in  estimating  the  tax  charge  including  provisioning 
relating  to  jurisdictions  where  the  Group‘s  tax  affairs  are  under  investigation  by  the  relevant  authorities. 
The Audit Committee reviewed the status of the tax audits, together with the advice of relevant members of 
the  management  team  and  external  tax  advisors,  and  agreed  that  the  provisioning  for  any  potential 
exposures is appropriate.    

  On page 28 of the Corporate Governance Report, in considering management‘s assessment of the Group‘s 
ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern,  the  Audit  Committee  had  regard  to  the  €850.0  million  eurobond 
Issuance in June 2014, available financing facilities, facility headroom, the cash on hand of approximately 
€3.2bn  and  the  sensitivity  to  changes  in  these  items.  The  Committee  focussed  on  the  Group‘s  cash 
generation projections through to the end of the current aircraft purchase programme in the financial year 
ending 31 March 2019. On the basis of the review performed, and the discussions held with management, 
the Committee was satisfied that that it was appropriate that the financial statements should continue to be 
prepared on a going concern basis, and that there  were no material uncertainties that may cast significant 
doubt on the Group‘s ability to continue as a going concern which need to be disclosed in the annual report. 

        The Audit Committee meets the external auditors four times per year. At these meetings: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the external audit plan is considered and approved; 

the  quarterly, interim and annual results are considered and approved, following consideration of the 
significant  issues  relating  to  these  matters,  having  regard  to  matters  communicated  to  the  Audit 
Committee by the external auditors; 

the  Annual  Report  and  Form  20F,  which  is  filed  annually  with  the  United  States  Securities  and 
Exchange Commission,  the Irish Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, is considered and 
approved; 

the procedures and safeguards which the external auditors have put in place to ensure their objectivity 
and independence in accordance with regulatory and professional requirements are reviewed; 

the letters of engagement and representation are reviewed; and 

the fees paid to the external auditors for audit and non audit work are reviewed, to ensure that the fee 
levels are appropriate and that audit independence is not compromised through the level of non audit 
fees and the nature of non audit work carried out by the external auditors.  

In addition the Audit Committee completed an evaluation questionnaire on the external auditor process. 

The last external audit tender was conducted in 2010. Detailed consideration was given to the external 
audit arrangements in 2013. It was concluded that, in the light of the performance of the external auditors and  
partner  rotation  plans  that  a  decision  as  to  the  timing  of  the  next  tender  process  would  be  made  following 
consideration  of  the  FRC  guidance  and  new  EU  regulations  in  this  area.  KPMG  have  been  auditors  to  the 
Company since its incorporation in 1985.   

Remuneration Committee 

The Board of Directors established the Remuneration Committee in September 1996. This committee 
has authority to determine the remuneration of senior executives of the Company and to administer the stock 
option  plans  described  below.    Senior  Management  remuneration  is  comprised  of  a  fixed  basic  pay  and 
performance  related  bonuses  which  are  awarded  based  on  a  combination  of  the  achievement  of  individual 
objectives  and  the  Company‘s  financial  performance.  The  Board  of  Directors  as  a  whole  determines  the 
remuneration and bonuses of the  Chief Executive Officer, who is the only executive director. James Osborne, 
Louise Phelan and Julie O‘Neill are the members of the Remuneration Committee. 

22 

 
 
 
The role and responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee are set out in its written terms of reference, 
which are available on the Company‘s website www.ryanair.com. The terms of Reference of the Remuneration 
Committee are reviewed annually.  

Nomination Committee 

Messrs. David Bonderman, Michael O‘Leary and Kyran McLaughlin  are the members of the Nomination 
Committee. The Nomination Committee assists the Board in ensuring that the composition of the Board and its 
Committees is appropriate to the needs of the Company by: 

 

 
 

assessing  the  skills,  knowledge,  experience  and  diversity  required  on  the  Board  and  the  extent  to  which 
each are represented; 
establishing processes for the identification of suitable candidates for appointment to the Board; and 
overseeing succession planning for the Board and senior management. 

The  role  and  responsibilities  of  the  Nomination  Committee  are  set  out  in  its  written  terms  of  reference, 
which  are  available  on  the  Company‘s  website  www.ryanair.com.  The  Nomination  Committee  use  their 
extensive  business  and  professional  contacts  to  identify  suitable  candidates.  The  terms  of  Reference  of  the 
Nomination Committee are reviewed annually.  

Air Safety Committee 

The  Board  of  Directors  established  the  Air  Safety  Committee  in  March  1997  to  review  and  discuss  air 
safety and related issues. The Air Safety Committee reports to the full Board of Directors each quarter. The Air 
Safety  Committee  is  composed  of  Michael  Horgan  and  Howard  Millar,  Chief  Financial  Officer  and  the 
Accountable Manager for Safety (who both act as co-chairman), as well as the following executive officers of 
Ryanair: Messrs. Michael Hickey, David O‘Brien, Edward Wilson and Chief Pilot, Mr Ray Conway. 

Code of Business Conduct 

Ryanair‘s standards of integrity and ethical values have been established and are documented in Ryanair‘s 
Code of Business Conduct. This code is applicable to all Ryanair employees. There are established channels for 
reporting  code  violations  or  other  concerns  in  a  confidential  manner.  The  Head  of  Internal  Audit  investigates 
any instances and reports findings directly to the  Audit Committee.  The Code is available on the Company‘s 
website, www.ryanair.com.  

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attendance at Board and Committee meetings during the year ended March 31, 2014: 

Board 

Audit 

Air Safety  Remuneration  Executive  Nomination 

David Bonderman 

Michael Horgan 

Charles McCreevy 

Declan McKeon 

Kyran McLaughlin 

Dick Milliken (i) 

Michael O‘Leary 

Julie O‘Neill  

James Osborne (ii)  

Louise Phelan  

8/9 

9/9 

8/9 

9/9 

8/9 

6/6 

9/9 

9/9 

8/9 

9/9 

- 

- 

5/5 

5/5 

- 

3/3 

- 

- 

2/2 

- 

- 

4/4 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2/2 

2/2 

2/2 

2/2 

6/6 

1/1 

- 

- 

- 

6/6 

- 

6/6 

- 

5/6 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1/1 

- 

1/1 

- 

1/1 

- 

(i) 

(ii) 

Dick Milliken was appointed to the Board of Directors on July 26, 2013 and was appointed to the Audit 
Committee on August 5, 2013.  
James Osborne retired from the Audit Committee effective August 5, 2013.  He attended the Nomination 
Committee meetings in his role as the Senior Independent Director. 

Performance Evaluation 

The Board has established a formal process to annually evaluate the performance of the Board, that of its 
principal Committees,  the  Audit, Nomination and Remuneration committees, and that of  the  Chief Executive,  
the Chairman and individual  non-executive directors. The Board anticipates that the formal evaluation  will be 
completed  yearly.  Based  on  the  evaluation  process  completed,  the  Board  considers  that  the  principal 
Committees  have  performed  effectively  throughout  the  year.  As  part  of  the  Board  evaluation  of  its  own 
performance,  questionnaires  are  circulated  to  all  directors.  The  questionnaire  is  designed  to  obtain  directors‘ 
comments  regarding  the  performance  of  the  Board,  the  effectiveness  of  Board  communications,  the  ability  of 
directors to contribute to the development of strategy and the effectiveness with which the Board monitors risk 
and oversees Ryanair‘s progress.  Directors are also invited to make recommendations for improvement. 

The  Chairman,  on  behalf  of  the  Board,  reviews  the  evaluations  of  performance  of  the  non-executive 
directors on an annual basis. The non-executive directors, led by the Senior Independent Director, meet annually 
without the Chairman present to evaluate his performance, having taken into account the views of the executive 
director. The non-executive directors also evaluate the performance of the executive director. These evaluations 
are  designed  to  determine  whether  each  director  continues  to  contribute  effectively  and  to  demonstrate 
commitment to the role. 

The Audit, Nomination and Remuneration committees carry out annual reviews of their own performance 
and terms of reference to ensure they are operating at maximum effectiveness and recommend any changes they 
consider necessary to the Board for approval. 

The Board considers the results of the evaluation process and any issues identified.  The above evaluations 
were conducted in May 2013 and were presented to the Board at the September 2013 Board meeting in respect 
of the year under review. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders 

Ryanair recognises the importance of communications with shareholders. Ryanair communicates with all 
of its shareholders following the release of quarterly and annual results directly via road shows, investor days 
and/or  by  conference  calls.  The  Chief  Executive,  senior  financial,  operational,  and  commercial  management 
participate in these events.  

During  the  year  ended  March  31,  2014  the  Company  held  discussions  with  a  substantial  number  of 

institutional investors.   

The  Board  is  kept  informed  of  the  views  of  shareholders  through  the  executive  director‘s  and  executive 
management‘s  attendance  at  investor  presentations  and  results  presentations.  Furthermore,  relevant  feedback 
from such meetings and investor relations analyst reports are provided to the entire Board on a regular basis. In 
addition, the Board determines, on a  case  by case basis, specific issues  where it  would  be appropriate for the 
Chairman and/or Senior Independent Director to communicate directly with shareholders or to indicate that they 
are  available  to  communicate  if  shareholders  so  wish.  If  any  of  the  non-executive  directors  wishes  to  attend 
meetings with major shareholders, arrangements are made accordingly.  

General Meetings 

All  shareholders  are  given  adequate  notice  of  the  AGM  at  which  the  Chairman  reviews  the  results  and 
comments on current business activity. Financial, operational and other information on the Company is provided 
on our website at www.ryanair.com. 

Ryanair  will  continue  to  propose  a  separate  resolution  at  the  AGM  on  each  substantially  separate  issue, 
including  a  separate  resolution  relating  to  the  Directors‘  Report  and  financial  statements.  In  order  to  comply 
with  the  2012  Code,  proxy  votes  will  be  announced  at  the  AGM,  following  each  vote  on  a  show  of  hands, 
except  in  the  event  of  a  poll  being  called.  The  Board  Chairman  and  the  Chairmen  of  the  Audit  and 
Remuneration Committees are available to answer questions from all shareholders. 

The Chief Executive makes a presentation at the Annual General Meeting on the Group‘s business and its 
performance during the prior year and answers questions from shareholders. The AGM affords shareholders the 
opportunity to question the Chairman and the Board.  

All holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to attend, speak and vote at general meetings of the Company, 
subject  to  limitations  described  under  note  ―Limitations  on  the  Right  to  Own  Shares‖  on  page  127.  In 
accordance  with  Irish  company  law,  the  Company  specifies  record  dates  for  general  meetings,  by  which  date 
shareholders  must be registered in the Register of Members of the  Company to be entitled to attend.  Record 
dates are specified in the notes to the Notice convening the meeting.   

Shareholders  may  exercise  their  right  to  vote  by  appointing  a  proxy/proxies,  by  electronic  means  or  in 
writing, to vote some or all of their shares. The requirements for the receipt of valid proxy forms are set out in 
the notes to the Notice convening the Meeting.   

A  shareholder  or  group  of  shareholders,  holding  at  least  5%  of  the  issued  share  capital  has  the  right  to 
requisition a general meeting. A shareholder, or a group of shareholders, holding at least 3% of the issued share 
capital of the Company, has the right to put an item on the agenda of an AGM or to table a draft resolution for 
an item on the agenda of the general meeting provided that such item is accompanied by reasons justifying its 
inclusion or the full text of any draft resolution proposed to be adopted at the general meeting. A request by a 
member to put an item on the agenda or to table a draft resolution shall be received by the company in hardcopy 
form or in electronic form at least 42 days before the AGM to which it relates.   

Notice of the Annual General Meeting and the Form of Proxy are sent to shareholders at least twenty-one 
working  days  before  the  meeting.  The  Company‘s  Annual  Report  is  available  on  the  Company‘s  website, 
www.ryanair.com.  The  2014  Annual  General  Meeting  will  be  held  at  9a.m.  on  September  25,  2014  in  the 
Ryanair Dublin Office, Airside Business Park, Swords, Co Dublin, Ireland.  

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All  general  meetings  other  than  the  Annual  General  Meeting  are  called  Extraordinary  General  Meetings 
(EGMs).  An  EGM  must  be  called  by  giving  at  least  twenty-one  clear  days‘  notice.  Except  in  relation  to  an 
adjourned  meeting,  three  members,  present  in  person  or  by  proxy,  entitled  to  vote  upon  the  business  to  be 
transacted,  shall  be  a  quorum.  The  passing  of  resolutions  at  a  general  meeting,  other  than  special  resolution, 
requires a  simple  majority. To be passed, a  special resolution requires a  majority of at least 75% of the votes 
cast. Votes may be given in person by a show of hands, or by proxy. 

 At the Meeting, after each resolution has been dealt with, details are given of the level of proxy votes cast 
on  each  resolution  and  the  numbers  for,  against  and  withheld.    This  information  is  made  available  on  the 
Company‘s website following the meeting.   

Risk Management and Internal Control 

The  directors  have  overall  responsibility  for  the  Company‘s  system  of  risk  management  and  internal 
control and for reviewing its effectiveness. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for the system of risk 
management and internal control which is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve 
business objectives, and can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement 
or loss.  

In  accordance  with  the  revised  FRC  (Turnbull)  guidance  for  directors  on  internal  control  published  in 
October 2005, ‗Internal Control: Revised Guidance for Directors on the  Combined Code‘, the Board confirms 
that  there  is  an  ongoing  process  for  identifying,  evaluating  and  managing  any  significant  risks  faced  by  the 
Group,  that  it  has  been  in  place  for  the  year  under  review  and  up  to  the  date  of  approval  of  the  financial 
statements and that this process is regularly reviewed by the Board. 

In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  2012  Code  the  directors  review  the  effectiveness  of  the 

Company‘s system of internal control including: 

  Financial 
  Operational 
  Compliance 
  Risk Management 

The Board is ultimately responsible for the Company‘s system of  risk  management and  internal controls 
and  for  monitoring  its  effectiveness.  The  key  procedures  that  have  been  established  to  provide  effective  risk 
management and internal control include: 

  a strong and independent Board which meets at least 4 times a year and has separate Chief Executive and 

Chairman roles; 

  a clearly defined organisational structure along functional lines and a clear division of responsibility and 

authority in the Company; 

  a  comprehensive  system  of  internal  financial  reporting  which  includes  preparation  of  detailed  monthly 
management  accounts,  providing  key  performance  indicators  and  financial  results  for  each  major 
function within the Company; 

  preparation and issue of financial reports to shareholders and the markets, including the Annual Report 
and  consolidated  financial  statements,  is  overseen  by  the  Audit  Committee.  The  Company‘s  financial 
reporting  process  is  controlled  using  documented  accounting  policies  and  reporting  formats, 
supplemented  by  detailed  instructions  and  guidance  on  reporting  requirements.  The  Company‘s 
processes  support  the  integrity  and  quality  of  data,  including  appropriate  segregation  of  duties.  The 
financial  information  of  the  parent  entity  and  all  subsidiary  entities,  which  form  the  basis  for  the 
preparation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  are  subject  to  scrutiny  by  Group  level  senior 
management. The Company‘s financial reports, financial guidance, and Annual Report and consolidated 
financial  statements  are  also  reviewed  by  the  Audit  Committee  of  the  Board  in  advance  of  being 
presented to the full Board for their review and approval; 

  quarterly reporting of the financial performance with a management discussion and analysis of results; 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  weekly  Management  Committee  meetings,  comprising  of  heads  of  departments,  to  review  the 

performance and activities of each department in the Company; 

  detailed  budgetary  process  which  includes  identifying  risks  and  opportunities  and  which  is  ultimately 

approved at Board level; 

  Board  approved  capital  expenditure  and  Audit  Committee  approved  treasury  policies  which  clearly 

define authorisation limits and procedures; 

  an  internal  audit  function  which  reviews  key  financial/business  processes  and  controls,  and  which  has 

full and unrestricted access to the Audit Committee; 

  an  Audit  Committee  which  approves  audit  plans,  considers  significant  control  matters  raised  by 
management  and  the  internal  and  external  auditors  and  which  is  actively  monitoring  the  Company‘s 
compliance with section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002; 

  established systems and procedures to identify, control and report on key risks. Exposure to these risks is 

monitored by the Audit Committee and the Management Committee; and 

  a  risk  management  programme  in  place  throughout  the  Company  whereby  executive  management 
reviews and monitors the controls in place, both financial and non financial, to manage the risks facing 
the business. 

On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee has reviewed the effectiveness of the Company‘s system of 

risk management and internal control for the year ended March 31, 2014 and has reported thereon to the Board. 

The  Board  has  delegated  to  executive  management  the  planning  and  implementation  of  the  systems  of 

internal control within an established framework which applies throughout the Company. 

Takeover Bids Directive 

Information regarding rights and obligations attached to shares are set forth in Note 15 on pages 185 to 186 

of the consolidated financial statements.  

Shares in the Ryanair employee share schemes carry no control rights and shares are only issued (and gain 

voting rights) when options are exercised by employees. 

Ryanair‘s  Articles  of  Association  do  not  contain  any  restrictions  on  voting  rights.  However,  there  are 
provisions  in  the  Articles  which  allow  the  directors  to  (amongst  other  things)  suspend  the  voting  rights  of  a 
share  if  the  Board  believes  the  number  of  non-qualifying  nationals  holding  shares  in  Ryanair  would  put  it  in 
breach of the Air Navigation Acts and licences and permits  which allow it to operate. This is  not an absolute 
restriction and can only occur if the Board designates a number of shares to be so restricted.   

Ryanair has not received any notifications from shareholders (as shareholders are obliged to do) regarding 

any agreements between shareholders which might result in restrictions on the transfer of shares.   

Details of the rules concerning the removal and appointment of the directors are set out above as part of 
this  Directors‘  Report.  There  are  no  specific  rules  regarding  the  amendment  of  the  Company‘s  Articles  of 
Association. 

Details of the Company‘s share buy-back programme are set forth on page 121 of the Annual Report. The 
shareholders  approved  the  power  of  the  Company  to  buy  back  shares  at  the  2006  AGM  and  at  subsequent 
AGM‘s.  

None of the significant agreements to which the Company is party to, contain change of control provisions. 
As  referred  to  above  in  this  Director‘s  Report,  Michael  O‘Leary‘s  employment  agreement  does  not  contain 
provisions providing for compensation on his termination.  

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Going Concern 

After  making  enquiries,  the  directors  have  formed  a  judgment,  at  the  time  of  approving  the  financial 
statements,  that  there  is  a  reasonable  expectation  that  the  Company  and  the  Group  as  a  whole  have  adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt 
the  going  concern  basis  in  preparing  the  financial  statements.  The  directors‘  responsibility  for  preparing  the 
financial statements is explained on page 30 and the reporting responsibilities of the auditors are set out in their 
report on page 32. 

Compliance Statement 

Ryanair has complied, throughout the year ended March 31, 2014, with the provisions set out in the UK 
Corporate  Governance Code and the  requirements set out in the Irish  Corporate  Governance Annex except as 
outlined below. The Group has not complied with the following provisions of the  2012 Code, but continues to 
review these situations on an ongoing basis: 

  A  number  of  non-executive  directors  participate  in  the  Company‘s  share  option  plans.  The  2012  Code 
requires  that,  if  exceptionally,  share  options  are  granted  to  non-executive  directors  that  shareholder 
approval should be sought in advance and any shares acquired by exercise of the options should be held 
until  at  least  one  year  after  the  non-executive  director  leaves  the  board.  In  accordance  with  the  2012 
Code, the Company sought and received shareholder approval to make certain stock option grants to its 
non-executive  directors  and  as  described  above,  the  Board  believes  the  quantum  of  options  granted  to 
non-executive directors is not so significant to impair their independence.   

  Certain non-executive directors, namely Messrs. David Bonderman, James Osborne, Kyran McLaughlin 
and  Michael  Horgan  have  each  served  more  than  nine  years  on  the  Board  without  being  offered  for 
annual re-election. As described further above, given the other significant commercial and professional 
commitments  of  these  non-executive  directors,  and  taking  into  account  that  their  independence  is 
considered annually by the Board, the Board does not consider their independence to be impaired in this 
regard.    

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman                       
July 25, 2014 

Michael O‟ Leary 
Chief Executive 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report on the Remuneration Committee on Directors‟ Remuneration 

The Remuneration Committee 

Details of the Remuneration Committee are set out within the Corporate Governance Statement on page 

22 of the Annual Report.  

The role and responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee are set out in its written terms of reference, 

which are available on the Company‘s website www.ryanair.com. 

All members of the Remuneration Committee have access to the advice of the Chief Executive and may, 

in the furtherance of their duties, obtain independent professional advice at the Company‘s expense. 

Remuneration Policy 

The  remuneration  policy  of  the  Company  is  to  ensure  that  the  executive  director  and  the  senior  key 
management team are rewarded competitively, having regard to  the comparative  marketplace in Ireland and 
the United Kingdom, in order to ensure that they are properly motivated to perform in the best interests of the 
shareholders. Details of the total remuneration paid to senior key management (defined as the executive team 
reporting to the Board of Directors) are set out in Note 27 of the consolidated Financial Statements.   

Non-Executive Directors 

Details of the remuneration paid to non-executive directors are set out in Note 19(b) to the consolidated 

Financial Statements.  

Directors can only be appointed following selection by the Nomination Committee and approval by the 
Board and must be elected by  the shareholders at the  Annual General Meeting following their appointment. 
Ryanair‘s Articles of Association require that all directors retire after a fixed period not exceeding three years. 
Directors can then offer themselves for re-election at the Company‘s Annual General Meeting.  

None  of  the  non-executive  directors  hold  a  service  agreement  with  the  Company  that  provides  for 

benefits upon termination. 

Executive Director 

The  Chief  Executive  of  the  Company  is  the  only  executive  director  on  the  Board.  Details  of  the 

remuneration paid to the Chief Executive are set out in Note 19(a) to the consolidated Financial Statements. 

The Company entered into an employment agreement with the Chief Executive on July 1, 2002 for a one 
year period to June 30, 2003. Thereafter, the agreement continues for successive annual periods but may be 
terminated  with  12  months  notice  by  either  party.  This  employment  agreement  does  not  contain  provisions 
providing for compensation on its termination. 

Performance Related Bonuses 

The Chief Executive and the key management team of the Company are eligible for a performance bonus 

and other bonuses dependent upon the achievement of certain financial targets. 

Share Options 

Details of the share options granted to executive and non-executive directors are set forth in Note 19(d) 

to the consolidated Financial Statements. 

Details  of  employee  share  option  plans  are  set  forth  in  Note  15(c)  to  the  consolidated  Financial 

Statements. 

Directors Pension Benefits 

Details of the Chief Executive‘s pension benefits are set forth in Note 19(c) to the consolidated Financial 

Statements. 

Directors Shareholdings 

The  interests  of  each  Director  that  held  office  at  the  end  of  fiscal  2014,  in  the  share  capital  of  the 

Company are set forth in Note 19(d) to the consolidated Financial Statements. 

29 

 
 
 
 
Statement of Directors‟ Responsibilities in respect of the Annual Report and the Financial Statements 

The  directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  Annual  Report  and  the  consolidated  and  Company 

financial statements, in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the directors to prepare consolidated and Company financial statements for each 
financial year.  Under that law, the directors are required to prepare the  consolidated financial  statements in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union (EU) 
and have elected to prepare the Company financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU 
and  as  applied  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Companies  Acts,  1963  to  2013.  In  preparing  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  the  directors  have  also  elected  to  comply  with  IFRSs  as  issued  by  the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). 

The  consolidated  and  Company  financial  statements  are  required  by  law  and  IFRSs  as  adopted  by  the 
EU, to present fairly the financial position of the Group and the Company and the performance of the Group.  
The  Companies  Acts,  1963  to  2013  provide  in  relation  to  such  financial  statements  that  references  in  the 
relevant part of these Acts to financial statements giving a true and fair view are references to their achieving a 
fair presentation.   

In preparing each of the consolidated and Company financial statements, the directors are required to: 

  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;  

  state that the financial statements comply with IFRSs as adopted by the EU as applied in accordance with the 

Companies Acts, 1963 to 2013 and IFRSs as issued by the IASB; and 

  prepare  the  financial  statements  on  the  going  concern  basis  unless  it  is  inappropriate  to  presume  that  the 

Group and the Company will continue in business.   

Under applicable law and the requirements of the Listing Rules issued by the Irish Stock Exchange, the 
directors are also responsible for preparing a Directors‘ Report and reports relating to directors‘ remuneration 
and  corporate  governance  that  comply  with  that  law  and  those  Rules.  In  particular,  in  accordance  with  the 
Transparency  (Directive  2004/109/EC)  Regulations  2007  (the  Transparency  Regulations),  the  directors  are 
required  to  include  in  their  report  a  fair  review  of  the  business  and  a  description  of  the  principal  risks  and 
uncertainties facing the Group and Company and a responsibility statement relating to those and other matters, 
included below.  

The directors are responsible for keeping proper books of account that disclose with reasonable accuracy 
at  any  time  the  financial  position  of  the  Group  and  Company  and  enable  them  to  ensure  that  its  financial 
statements  comply  with  the  Companies  Acts,  1963  to  2013  and,  as  regards  the  consolidated  financial 
statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.  They are also responsible for taking such steps as are reasonably 
open to them to safeguard the assets of the Company and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. 

The directors are responsible for the maintenance of integrity of the corporate and financial information 
included  on  the  Company‘s  website.  Legislation  in  the  Republic  of  Ireland  governing  the  preparation  and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.   

30 

 
 
Responsibility Statement, in accordance with the Transparency Regulations 

Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed on page 106 of the Annual Report confirm 

that, to the best of their knowledge and belief: 

  the consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, give a true 
and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Group at March 31, 2014 and of its profit 
for the year then ended; 

  the  Company  financial  statements, prepared in accordance  with IFRSs as adopted by  the EU, as applied in 
accordance  with  the  Companies  Acts,  1963  to  2013,  give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  assets,  liabilities  and 
financial position of the Company at March 31, 2014, and  

  the  Directors‘  Report  contained  in  the  Annual  Report  includes  a  fair  review  of  the  development  and 
performance of the business and the position of the Group and Company, together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that they face.  

Also,  as  explained  in  Note  1  on  page  152  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  the  Group,  in 
addition to complying with its legal obligation to comply with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, has also prepared 
its consolidated financial statements in compliance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB.  The directors confirm 
that to the best of their knowledge and belief these consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view 
of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Group at March 31, 2014 and of its profit for the year then 
ended. 

Responsibility Statement, in accordance with the UK Corporate governance Code 
The annual financial statements, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group‘s performance, business model and strategy. 

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman                       
July 25, 2014 

Michael O‟ Leary 
Chief Executive 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor‟s Report to the members of Ryanair Holdings plc 

Opinions and conclusions arising from our audit 

Opinion on financial statements 

1  Our opinion on the financial statements is unmodified 

We  have  audited  the  consolidated  and  Company  financial  statements  (‗‗financial  statements‘‘)  of  Ryanair 
Holdings plc for the year ended March 31, 2014, which comprise the consolidated and Company balance sheets, 
the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated and 
Company  statements  of  changes  in  shareholders‘  equity,  the  consolidated  and  Company  statements  of  cash 
flows and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is Irish 
law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union (EU), and, as 
regards the parent Company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies 
Acts,  1963  to  2013.  Our  audit  was  conducted  in  accordance  with  International  Standards  on  Auditing  (ISAs) 
(UK and Ireland). 

In our opinion:   

  the Group financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, of 

the state of the Group‘s affairs as at 31 March 2014 and of its profit for the year then ended;   

  the  Company balance sheet gives a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, as 
applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Acts 1963 to 2013, of the state of the Company‘s 
affairs as at 31 March 2014; and 

  the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2013 

and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

Separate opinion in relation to IFRSs as issued by the IASB 

As  explained  in  Note  1  on  page  152  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  the  Group,  in  addition  to 
complying  with  its  legal  obligation  to  comply  with  IFRSs  as  adopted  by  the  EU,  has  also  prepared  its 
consolidated financial statements in compliance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB.  
In our opinion: 

   the consolidated financial  statements  give a  true and fair view, in accordance  with IFRSs as issued by the 

IASB, of the state of the Group‘s affairs as at March 31, 2014 and of its profit for the year then ended. 

2  Our assessment of the risks of material misstatement 

The risks of material misstatement detailed in this section of this report are those risks that we have deemed, in 
our  professional  judgement,  to  have  had  the  greatest  effect  on:  the  overall  audit  strategy;  the  allocation  of 
resources in our audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. Our audit procedures relating to these 
risks  were  designed  in  the  context  of  our  audit  of  the  financial  statements  as  a  whole.  Our  opinion  on  the 
financial statements is not modified with respect to any of these risks, and we do not express an opinion on these 
individual risks. 

In arriving at our audit opinion above on the Group financial statements the risks of material misstatement that 
had the greatest effect on our Group audit were as follows: 

Carrying value of Property, Plant & Equipment 

Ryanair has property, plant and equipment with a carrying value of €5,060.3 million at 31 March 2014 (2013 
€4,906.3 million) including aircraft (including engines and related equipment) with a carrying value of €5,001.1 
million (2013 €4,854.5 million).  In  accounting  for these assets, Ryanair  makes estimates about their expected 
useful lives, expected residual values and the potential for impairment based on the fair value of the assets and 
the  cash  flows  they  generate.  Changes  to  the  expected  useful  lives  and/or  the  residual  values  of  Ryanair‘s 
aircraft fleet could have a material impact on the profit for the year. This risk is described in the report from the 
Audit  Committee  on  page  21.    Ryanair  flies  one  aircraft  type,  the  Boeing  737-800,  all  of  which  are  aged 
between  one  and  12  years.  There  is  an  active  and  established  market  for  this  asset  class.  The  procedures  we 
performed to assess the carrying value of the aircraft included: 

  Comparing Ryanair‘s estimates of expected useful life and residual value to manufacturers‘ recommendations 

and to the published estimates of other international airlines. 

  Assessing the allocation of purchase price to the various components of the aircraft to ensure that the value 

allocated to its service potential compares with actual experience. 

32 

 
 
Independent Auditor‟s Report to the members of Ryanair Holdings plc (continued) 

Opinions and conclusions arising from our audit (continued) 

2 

Our assessment of the risks of material misstatement (continued) 

Carrying value of Property, Plant & Equipment (continued) 

  Agreeing the  fair  value of this aircraft type to generally available independent third party  valuation reports 

prepared by specialist aircraft valuation experts to assess the accuracy of the residual value estimate. 

  Challenging the key assumptions underpinning Ryanair‘s near and medium term financial projections against 

historical performance and estimates of the likely economic conditions in its principal markets.   

Maintenance expense 

Ryanair  had 51 aircraft  held  under operating lease at 31  March 2014 (2013: 59 aircraft).  Under the terms of 
operating lease agreements with aircraft lessors, Ryanair is contractually committed to either return the aircraft 
in a certain condition or to compensate the lessor based on the actual condition of the airframe, engines and life 
limited  parts  upon  return.    During  the  year  ended  31  March  2014,  Ryanair  recorded  maintenance  expense  of 
€116.1 million (2013: €120.7 million) and carried provisions for future maintenance at 31 March 2014 of €132.2 
million (2013: €122.4 million).  The estimated airframe and engine maintenance costs and the costs associated 
with the restitution of life limited parts are  accrued and charged to profit and loss over the lease term  for the 
individual contractual obligation, based on the present value of the major airframe overhaul, engine maintenance 
checks and restitution of life limited parts by reference to the number of hours flown or cycles operated during 
the year. This risk is further highlighted in the report from the Audit Committee on page 21. 

Our  audit  procedures  in  this  area  involved  testing  the  key  assumptions  made  by  Ryanair  in  estimating  future 
maintenance  costs  including  anticipated  use  of  the  aircraft  and  the  expected  cost  of  maintenance.    The 
procedures  included  agreeing  the  actual  cost  of  incurred  maintenance  to  invoices  and  comparing  this  with 
Ryanair‘s estimates, agreeing estimated maintenance costs to maintenance contracts and agreeing the expected 
use of assets to aircraft utilisation in the prior periods and to Ryanair‘s scheduling plan. 

Taxation 

Ryanair is headquartered and managed and controlled from Ireland. Nevertheless, Ryanair operates extensively 
across Europe and Morocco in North Africa.  Airlines‘ profits on international flights are taxed in the country of 
residence of the airline which for Ryanair is Ireland.  Profits from domestic flights which are flights within one 
country are often taxable in that jurisdiction.  In addition to corporate taxes, Ryanair is subject to Value Added 
Tax  (―VAT‖),  passenger  taxes  (which  are  levies  on  passengers  collected  by  Ryanair  and  paid  to  the  relevant 
taxing authority) and taxes on employment.   Due  to the  interplay between tax laws  in individual jurisdictions 
and  the  nature  of  the  industry  whereby  operations  can  begin  and  end  in  different  jurisdictions,  there  is 
significant  complexity  in  determining  corporation  tax  liability,  VAT  and  payroll  tax  obligations.    This  risk  is 
further highlighted in the report from the Audit Committee on page 22. 

Our audit procedures included: 
  Obtaining and inspecting Ryanair‘s various tax filings in the principal jurisdictions in which it operates and 

its correspondence with tax authorities. 

  Engaging  KPMG  tax  specialists  in  each  impacted  jurisdiction  to  assist  with  our  audit  of  Ryanair‘s  tax 

obligations. 

  Challenging  the  key  assumptions  impacting  on  the  critical  estimates  and  judgements  made  by  Ryanair  in 

determining its tax liabilities. 

  Assessing  whether Ryanair‘s  disclosures repeated the risks inherent in the accounting for taxation balances 

and related contingencies. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor‟s Report to the members of Ryanair Holdings plc (continued) 

Opinions and conclusions arising from our audit (continued) 

3 

Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit 

Materiality  is  a  term  used  to  describe  the  acceptable  level  of  precision  in  financial  statements.  Auditing 
standards describe a misstatement or an omission as ―material‖ if it could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements.  We identify a monetary amount 
―materiality for the financial statements as a whole‖ based on this criteria and apply the concept of materiality in 
planning and performing the audit, and in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on the audit and of 
uncorrected misstatements, if any, on the financial statements and in forming our opinion on them.  

The materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was set at €29.5 million. This has been calculated 
using  a  benchmark  of  the  Group‘s  profit  before  tax  for  the  year  from  continuing  operations  which  we  have 
determined,  in  our  professional  judgment,  to  be  the  principal  financial  consideration  for  members  of  the 
company in assessing financial performance.   

We agreed with the  Audit Committee to report to it all corrected and uncorrected misstatements we identified 
through  our  audit  with  a  value  in  excess  of  €1.4  million,  in  addition  to  other  audit  misstatements  below  that 
threshold that we believe warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

Ryanair is headquartered, managed and controlled from Ireland, and the audit work covering all of the  Group‘s 
revenues, profit for the year and all of its assets and liabilities is undertaken by an audit team based in Dublin.  

The Group has a number of subsidiary entities both in Ireland and in foreign jurisdictions. Statutory audits of 
these  entities  are  performed  by  KPMG  Ireland  or  one  of  its  international  affiliates  in  the  local  jurisdiction.  
These audits are performed to local materiality levels. The statutory audits are not performed for group reporting 
purposes and are generally completed after the date of this report. 

4 

We have nothing to report in respect of the matters on which we are required to report by exception 

ISAs (UK and Ireland) require that we report to you if, based on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, 
we  have  identified  information  in  the  annual  report  that  contains  a  material  inconsistency  with  either  that 
knowledge or the financial statements, a material misstatement of fact, or that is otherwise misleading. 

In particular, we are required to report to you if: 

  we  have  identified  any  inconsistencies  between  the  knowledge  we  acquired  during  our  audit  and  the 
directors‘  statement  that  they  consider  the  annual  report  is  fair,  balanced  and  understandable  and  provides 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the entity‘s performance, business model and strategy; or  

  the Report from the Audit Committee included in the Corporate Governance Report does not  appropriately 

disclose those matters that we communicated to the Audit Committee.  

The Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange and UK Listing Authority require us to review: 

  the directors‘ statement, set out on page 28, in relation to going concern; 

  the part of the Corporate Governance Report relating to the company‘s compliance with the nine provisions 
of  the  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  and  the  two  provisions  of  the  Irish  Corporate  Governance  Annex 
specified for our review; and 

  certain elements of disclosures in the report to shareholders by the Board of directors‘ remuneration. 
In  addition,  the  Companies  Acts  require  us  to  report  to  you  if,  in  our  opinion,  the  disclosures  of  directors‘ 
remuneration and transactions specified by law are not made.  

34 

 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor‟s Report to the members of Ryanair Holdings plc (continued) 

Opinions and conclusions arising from our audit (continued) 

5 
2013 are set out below 

Our conclusions on other matters on which we are required to report by the Companies Acts, 1963 to 

We  have  obtained  all  the  information  and  explanations  which  we  consider  necessary  for  the  purposes  of  our 
audit. 

The  Company  statement  of  financial  position  is  in  agreement  with  the  books  of  account  and,  in  our  opinion, 
proper books of account have been kept by the Company. 

In our opinion the information given in the Directors‘ Report is consistent with the financial statements and the 
description  in  the  Corporate  Governance  Statement  of  the  main  features  of  the  internal  control  and  risk 
management systems in relation to the process for preparing the  Group financial statements is consistent with 
the Group financial statements. 

The net assets of the Company, as stated in the Company balance sheet are more than half of the amount of its 
called-up  share  capital  and,  in  our  opinion,  on  that  basis  there  did  not  exist  at  31  March  2014  a  financial 
situation which under Section 40(1) of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1983 would require the convening of 
an extraordinary general meeting of the Company. 

Basis of our report, responsibilities and restrictions on use 

As  explained  more  fully  in  the  Directors‘  Responsibilities  Statement  set  out  on  page  30,  the  directors  are 
responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the  Group and Company financial statements in 
accordance  with  applicable  law  and  International  Standards  on  Auditing  (ISAs)  (UK  and  Ireland).  Those 
standards require us to comply with the Financial Reporting Council‘s Ethical Standards for Auditors.  

An audit undertaken in accordance with ISAs (UK and Ireland) involves obtaining evidence about the amounts 
and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements 
are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether 
the  accounting  policies  are  appropriate  to  the  Group‘s  circumstances  and  have  been  consistently  applied  and 
adequately  disclosed;  the  reasonableness  of  significant  accounting  estimates  made  by  the  directors;  and  the 
overall presentation of the financial statements.  

In  addition,  we  read  all  the  financial  and  non-financial  information  in  the  Annual  Report  to  identify  material 
inconsistencies  with  the  audited  financial  statements  and  to  identify  any  information  that  is  apparently 
materially  incorrect  based  on,  or  materially  inconsistent  with,  the  knowledge  acquired  by  us  in  the  course  of 
performing  the  audit.  If  we  become  aware  of  any  apparent  material  misstatements  or  inconsistencies  we 
consider the implications for our report. 

Whilst  an  audit  conducted  in  accordance  with  ISAs  (UK  and  Ireland)  is  designed  to  provide  reasonable 
assurance  of  identifying  material  misstatements  or  omissions  it  is  not  guaranteed  to  do so.  Rather  the  auditor 
plans the audit to determine the extent of testing needed to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability 
that  the  aggregate  of  uncorrected  and  undetected  misstatements  does  not  exceed  materiality  for  the  financial 
statements  as  a  whole.  This  testing  requires  us  to  conduct  significant  audit  work  on  a  broad  range  of  assets, 
liabilities,  income  and  expense  as  well  as  devoting  significant  time  of  the  most  experienced  members  of  the 
audit team, in particular the engagement partner responsible for the audit, to subjective areas of accounting and 
reporting. 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our  report  is  made  solely  to  the  Company‘s  members,  as  a  body,  in  accordance  with  section  193  of  the 
Companies Act 1990. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the  Company‘s members 
those  matters  we  are  required  to  state  to  them  in  an  auditor‘s  report  and  for  no  other  purpose.  To  the  fullest 
extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the  Company and the 
Company‘s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.   

Sean O’Keefe 

For and on behalf of 
KPMG  
Chartered Accountants, Statutory Audit Firm 
Dublin, Ireland 
July 25, 2014 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Presentation of Financial and Certain Other Information 

As used herein, the term ―Ryanair Holdings‖ refers to Ryanair Holdings plc. The term the ―Company‖ 
refers  to  Ryanair  Holdings  or  Ryanair  Holdings  together  with  its  consolidated  subsidiaries,  as  the  context 
requires.  The  term  ―Ryanair‖  refers  to  Ryanair  Limited,  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Ryanair  Holdings, 
together with its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise. The term ―fiscal year‖ refers to 
the  12-month  period  ended  on  March  31  of  the  quoted  year.  The  term  ―Ordinary  Shares‖  refers  to  the 
outstanding  par  value  0.635  euro  cent  per  share  common  stock  of  the  Company.  All  references  to  ―Ireland‖ 
herein are references to the Republic of Ireland. All references to the ―U.K.‖ herein are references to the United 
Kingdom  and  all  references  to  the  ―United  States‖  or  ―U.S.‖  herein  are  references  to  the  United  States  of 
America. References to ―U.S. dollars,‖ ―dollars,‖ ―$‖ or ―U.S. cents‖ are to the currency of the United States, 
references  to  ―U.K.  pound  sterling,‖  ―U.K.  £‖  and  ―£‖  are  to  the  currency  of  the  U.K.  and  references  to  ―€,‖ 
―euro,‖  ―euros‖  and  ―euro  cent‖  are  to  the  euro,  the  common  currency  of  eighteen  member  states  of  the 
European Union (the ―EU‖), including Ireland. Various amounts and percentages set out in this annual report on 
Form 20-F have been rounded and accordingly may not total. 

The  Company  owns  or  otherwise  has  rights  to  the  trademark  Ryanair®  in  certain  jurisdictions.  See 
―Item  4.  Information  on  the  Company—Trademarks.‖  This  report  also  makes  reference  to  trade  names  and 
trademarks of companies other than the Company. 

The  Company  publishes  its  annual  and  interim  consolidated  financial  statements  in  accordance  with 
International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  as  issued  by  the  International  Accounting  Standards  Board 
(―IASB‖).  Additionally,  in  accordance  with  its  legal  obligation  to  comply  with  the  International  Accounting 
Standards Regulation (EC 1606 (2002)), which applies throughout the EU, the consolidated financial statements 
of  the  Company  must  comply  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  as  adopted  by  the  EU. 
Accordingly,  the  Company‘s  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  selected  financial  data  included  herein 
comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the IASB and also International Financial 
Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU, in each case as in effect for the year ended and as of March 31, 2014 
(collectively referred to as ―IFRS‖ throughout). 

The Company publishes its consolidated financial statements in euro. Solely for the convenience of the 
reader,  this  report  contains  translations  of  certain  euro  amounts  into  U.S.  dollars  at  specified  rates.  These 
translations should not be construed as representations that the converted amounts actually represent such U.S. 
dollar  amounts  or  could  be  converted  into  U.S.  dollars  at  the  rates  indicated  or  at  any  other  rate.  Unless 
otherwise indicated, such U.S. dollar amounts have been  translated from euro at a rate  of €1.00 = $1.3777, or 
$1.00 = €0.7258, the official rate published by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board in its weekly ―H.10‖ release (the 
―Federal Reserve Rate‖) on March 31, 2014. The Federal Reserve Rate for euro on July 18, 2014 was €1.00 = 
$1.3524  or  $1.00  =  €0.7394.  See  ―Item  3.  Key  Information—Exchange  Rates‖  for  information  regarding 
historical  rates  of  exchange  relevant  to  the  Company,  and  ―Item  5.  Operating  and  Financial  Review  and 
Prospects‖ and ―Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk‖ for a discussion of the 
effects of changes in exchange rates on the Company. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information 

Except  for  the  historical  statements  and  discussions  contained  herein,  statements  contained  in  this 
report constitute ―forward-looking statements‖ within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 
1933,  as  amended  (the  ―Securities  Act‖),  and  Section  21E  of  the  U.S.  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as 
amended (the  ―Exchange  Act‖). Forward-looking statements  may  include  words such as ―expect,‖  ―estimate,‖ 
―project,‖ ―anticipate,‖ ―should,‖ ―intend,‖ and similar expressions or variations on such expressions. Any filing 
made by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the ―SEC‖) may include forward-
looking  statements.  In  addition,  other  written  or  oral  statements  which  constitute  forward-looking  statements 
have  been  made  and  may  in  the  future  be  made  by  or  on  behalf  of  the  Company,  including  statements 
concerning its  future operating and  financial performance, the Company‘s  share  of  new  and existing  markets, 
general  industry  and  economic  trends  and  the  Company‘s  performance  relative  thereto  and  the  Company‘s 
expectations as to requirements for capital expenditures and regulatory matters. The Company‘s business is to 
provide a low-fares airline service in Europe, and its outlook is predominately based on its interpretation of what 
it considers to be the key economic factors affecting that business and the European economy. Forward-looking 
statements  with  regard  to  the  Company‘s  business  rely  on  a  number  of  assumptions  concerning  future  events 
and  are  subject  to  a  number  of  uncertainties  and  other  factors,  many  of  which  are  outside  the  Company‘s 
control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. It is not reasonably possible to 
itemize  all  of  the  many  factors  and  specific  events  that  could  affect  the  outlook  and  results  of  an  airline 
operating in the European economy. Among the factors that are subject to change and could significantly impact 
Ryanair‘s  expected  results  are  the  airline  pricing  environment,  fuel  costs,  competition  from  new  and  existing 
carriers,  market  prices  for  replacement  aircraft  and  aircraft  maintenance  services,  aircraft  availability,  costs 
associated with environmental, safety and security measures, terrorist attacks, actions of the Irish, U.K., EU and 
other governments and their respective regulatory agencies, fluctuations in currency exchange rates and interest 
rates,  changes  to  the  structure  of  the  euro,  airport  handling  and  access  charges,  litigation,  labor  relations,  the 
economic  environment  of  the  airline  industry,  the  general  economic  environment  in  Ireland,  the  U.K.  and 
elsewhere in Europe, the general willingness of passengers to travel, flight interruptions caused by volcanic ash 
emissions or other atmospheric disruptions, factors affecting the value of  Ryanair‘s investment  in  Aer Lingus 
Group  plc  and  other  factors  discussed  herein.  The  Company  disclaims  any  obligation  to  update  or  revise  any 
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

38 

 
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

Item 1. 

Item 2. 

Item 3. 

Item 4. 

PART I 

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers ................................................................ 41 

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable ......................................................................................... 41 

Key Information .............................................................................................................................. 41 
The Company .................................................................................................................................. 41 
Selected Financial Data ................................................................................................................... 42 
Exchange Rates ............................................................................................................................... 44 
Selected Operating and Other Data ................................................................................................. 46 
Risk Factors ..................................................................................................................................... 47 

Information on the Company .......................................................................................................... 63 
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 63 
Strategy ........................................................................................................................................... 64 
Route System, Scheduling and Fares .............................................................................................. 68 
Marketing and Advertising.............................................................................................................. 69 
Reservations on Ryanair.Com ......................................................................................................... 69 
Aircraft ............................................................................................................................................ 70 
Ancillary Services ........................................................................................................................... 71 
Maintenance and Repairs ................................................................................................................ 72 
Safety Record .................................................................................................................................. 73 
Airport Operations .......................................................................................................................... 74 
Fuel ................................................................................................................................................. 76 
Insurance ......................................................................................................................................... 77 
Facilities .......................................................................................................................................... 78 
Trademarks ...................................................................................................................................... 79 
Government Regulation .................................................................................................................. 80 
Description of Property ................................................................................................................... 86 

Item 4A. 

Unresolved Staff Comments ........................................................................................................... 86 

Item 5. 

Item 6. 

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects .............................................................................. 86 
History ............................................................................................................................................. 86 
Business Overview .......................................................................................................................... 87 
Recent Operating Results ................................................................................................................ 90 
Critical Accounting Policies ............................................................................................................ 91 
Results of Operations ...................................................................................................................... 93 
Fiscal Year 2014 Compared with Fiscal Year 2013 ........................................................................ 93 
Fiscal Year 2013 Compared with Fiscal Year 2012 ........................................................................ 96 
Seasonal Fluctuations ...................................................................................................................... 99 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards ........................................................................................... 99 
Liquidity and Capital Resources ................................................................................................... 100 
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions .................................................................................................... 105 
Trend Information ......................................................................................................................... 105 
Inflation ......................................................................................................................................... 105 

Directors, Senior Management and Employees ............................................................................ 106 
Directors ........................................................................................................................................ 106 
Executive Officers ......................................................................................................................... 111 
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers ...................................................................... 112 
Staff and Labor Relations .............................................................................................................. 112 

Item 7. 

Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions ..................................................................... 114 
Major Shareholders ....................................................................................................................... 114 
Related Party Transactions ............................................................................................................ 115 

39 

 
 
 
 
Item 8. 

Item 9. 

Item 10. 

Item 11. 

Financial Information .................................................................................................................... 115 
Consolidated Financial Statements ............................................................................................... 115 
Other Financial Information .......................................................................................................... 115 
Significant Changes ...................................................................................................................... 122 

The Offer and Listing .................................................................................................................... 122 
Trading Markets and Share Prices................................................................................................. 122 

Additional Information .................................................................................................................. 125 
Description of Capital Stock ......................................................................................................... 125 
Options to Purchase Securities from Registrant or Subsidiaries ................................................... 125 
Articles of Association .................................................................................................................. 126 
Material Contracts ......................................................................................................................... 127 
Exchange Controls ........................................................................................................................ 127 
Limitations On Share Ownership By Non-EU Nationals .............................................................. 128 
Taxation ........................................................................................................................................ 131 
Documents on Display .................................................................................................................. 135 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ...................................................... 136 
General .......................................................................................................................................... 136 
Fuel Price Exposure and Hedging ................................................................................................. 136 
Foreign Currency Exposure and Hedging ..................................................................................... 137 
Interest Rate Exposure and Hedging ............................................................................................. 139 

Item 12. 

Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities ................................................................. 140 

PART II 

Item 13. 

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies ....................................................................... 141 

Item 14. 

Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds ........................... 141 

Item 15. 

Controls and Procedures................................................................................................................ 141 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.............................................................................................. 141 
Management‘s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.............................. 142 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting ................................................................. 143 

Item 16. 

Reserved ........................................................................................................................................ 143 

Item 16A.  Audit Committee Financial Expert................................................................................................ 143 

Item 16B.  Code of Ethics ............................................................................................................................... 143 

Item 16C. 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services ....................................................................................... 143 

Item 16D.  Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees .................................................... 144 

Item 16E. 

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers........................................ 144 

Item 16F.  Change in Registrant‘s Certified Accountant ................................................................................ 144 

Item 16G.  Corporate Governance .................................................................................................................. 144 

Item 16H.  Mine Safety Disclosure ................................................................................................................. 144 

Item 17. 

Financial Statements ..................................................................................................................... 145 

Item 18. 

Financial Statements ..................................................................................................................... 145 

PART III 

40 

 
 
 
 
PART I 

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers 

Not applicable. 

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable 

Not applicable. 

Item 3. Key Information 

THE COMPANY 

Ryanair operates an ultra-low cost, scheduled airline serving short-haul, point-to-point routes largely in 
Europe  from  its  69  bases  in  airports  across  Europe,  which  together  are  referred  to  as  ―Ryanair‘s  bases  of 
operations‖ or ―Ryanair‘s bases.‖  For a list of these bases, see ―Item 4. Information on the Company—Route 
System, Scheduling and Fares.‖  Ryanair pioneered the low-fares operating model in Europe in the early 1990s.  
As  of  June  30,  2014,  the  Company  offered  over  1,600  scheduled  short-haul  flights  per  day  serving 
approximately 186 airports largely throughout Europe, with a principal fleet of 297 Boeing 737-800 aircraft and 
5 additional leased aircraft acquired on short term leases for the summer of 2014 to provide extra capacity flying 
approximately 1,600 routes. The Company also holds a 29.8% interest in Aer Lingus Group plc (―Aer Lingus‖), 
which it has acquired through market purchases following Aer Lingus‘ partial privatization in 2006.  Ryanair‘s 
attempts to acquire the entire share capital of Aer Lingus have been blocked by the European authorities, with 
the  latest  ruling  currently  under  appeal  by  Ryanair.    For  additional  information,  see  ―Item  8.  Financial 
Information—Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings—Matters Related to Investment in Aer Lingus.‖ 
A detailed description of the Company‘s business can be found in ―Item 4. Information on the Company.‖ 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 

The following tables set forth certain of the Company‘s selected consolidated financial information as 
of  and  for  the  periods  indicated,  financial  information  presented  in  euro  in  the  table  below  has  been  derived 
from the consolidated financial statements that are prepared in accordance with IFRS. The financial information 
for fiscal 2014 has been translated from euro to US$ using the Federal Reserve Rate on March 31, 2014. This 
information  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with:  (i)  the  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the 
Company and related notes thereto included in Item 18  and (ii) ―Item 5. Operating and Financial  Review and 
Prospects.‖ 

Income Statement Data: 

2014(a) 

2014 

2013 

2012 

2011 

2010 

Fiscal year ended March 31, 

(in millions, except per-Ordinary Share data) 
Total operating revenues..................  
€3,629.5 
€5,036.7 
Total operating expenses .................   $(6,031.7)  €(4,378.1) 
€658.6 

€2,988.1 
€(4,165.8)  €(3,707.0)  €(3,141.3)  €(2,586.0) 

€4,884.0 

$6,939.1 

€4,390.2 

€718.2 

$907.4 

€488.2 

€402.1 

€683.2 

Operating income ............................  
Net interest (expense) ......................  
Other non-operating (expense) 

income .........................................  
Profit before taxation .......................  
 Tax expense on profit on ordinary 

activities .......................................  

Profit after taxation ..........................  
Ryanair Holdings basic earnings per 
Ordinary Share (U.S. cents)/(euro 
cent) .............................................  

Ryanair Holdings diluted earnings 

per Ordinary Share (U.S. 
cents)/(euro cent) .........................  
Ryanair Holdings dividend paid per 
Ordinary Share (U.S. cents)/(euro 
cent) .............................................  

Balance Sheet Data: 

Cash and cash equivalents ...............  
Total assets ......................................  
Long-term debt, including capital 

lease obligations ...........................  
Shareholders‘ equity ........................  
Issued share capital ..........................  
Weighted Average Number of 

$(91.9) 

€(66.7) 

€(71.9) 

€(64.9) 

€(66.7) 

€(48.6) 

$(0.7) 

€(0.5) 

€4.6 

€14.7 

€(0.6) 

€(12.5) 

$814.8 

€591.4 

€650.9 

€633.0 

€420.9 

€341.0 

$(94.5) 
$720.3 

€(68.6) 
€522.8 

€(81.6) 
€569.3 

€(72.6) 
€560.4 

€(46.3) 
€374.6 

€(35.7) 
€305.3 

$50.92 

€36.96 

€39.45 

€38.03 

€25.21 

€20.68 

$50.78 

€36.86 

€39.33 

€37.94 

€25.14 

€20.60 

n/a 

n/a 

€34.00 

n/a 

€33.57 

n/a 

2014(a) 

2014 

As of March 31, 
2013 
2012 
(in millions) 

2011 

2010 

$2,383.6  €1,730.1  €1,240.9  €2,708.3  €2,028.3  €1,477.9 
$12,140.4  €8,812.1  €8,943.0  €9,001.0  €8,596.0  €7,563.4 

$4,248.3  €3,083.6  €3,498.3  €3,625.2  €3,649.4  €2,956.2 
$4,526.8  €3,285.8  €3,272.6  €3,306.7  €2,953.9  €2,848.6 

$12.1 

€8.8 

€9.2 

€9.3 

€9.5 

€9.4 

Ordinary Shares ...........................  

1,414.6 

1,414.6 

1,443.1 

1,473.7 

1,485.7 

1,476.4 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Statement Data: 

Net cash inflow from operating activities  
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing 
activities ...............................................  
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing 
activities ...............................................  

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 

Fiscal year ended March 31, 

2014(a) 

2014 

2013 
(in millions) 

2012 

2011 

2010 

$1,439.1 

€1,044.6 

€1,023.5  €1,020.3 

€786.3 

€871.5 

$414.3 

€300.7 

€(1,821.5) 

€(185.4) 

€(474.0) 

€(1,549.1) 

$(1,179.4) 

€(856.1) 

€(669.4) 

€(154.9) 

€238.1 

€572.3 

equivalents ...........................................  

$674.0 

€489.2 

€(1,467.4) 

€680.0 

€550.4 

€(105.3) 

______________ 
(a) Dollar amounts are initially measured in euro in accordance with IFRS and then translated to U.S. $ solely for 

convenience at the Federal Reserve Rate on March 31, 2014, of €1.00 = $1.3777 or $1.00 = €0.7258. 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXCHANGE RATES 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain information concerning the exchange 
rate between: (i) the U.S. dollar and the euro; (ii) the U.K. pound sterling and the euro; and (iii) the U.K. pound 
sterling  and  the  U.S.  dollar.  Such  rates  are  provided  solely  for  the  convenience  of  the  reader  and  are  not 
necessarily the rates used by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements included in 
Item 18. No representation is made that any of such currencies could have been, or could be, converted into any 
other of such currencies at such rates or at any other rate. 

U.S. dollars per €1.00(a) 

Year ended December 31, 

End of 
Period 

Average 
(b) 

Low 

High 

2009 ....................................................................................................  1.433 
2010 ....................................................................................................  1.336 
2011 ....................................................................................................  1.296 
2012 ....................................................................................................  1.319 
2013 ....................................................................................................  1.378 

1.394 
1.326 
1.392 
1.291 
1.328 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

Month ended 
January 31, 2014 ................................................................................. — 
February 28, 2014 ............................................................................... — 
March 31, 2014 ................................................................................... — 
April 30, 2014 ..................................................................................... — 
May 31, 2014 ...................................................................................... — 
June 30, 2014 ...................................................................................... — 
Period ended July 18, 2014 ................................................................. — 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

1.350 
1.351 
1.373 
1.370 
1.360 
1.353 
1.352 

1.368 
1.381 
1.393 
1.390 
1.392 
1.369 
1.367 

U.K. pounds sterling per €1.00(c) 

Year ended December 31, 

End of 
Period 

Average 
(b) 

Low 

High 

2009 ....................................................................................................  0.887 
2010 ....................................................................................................  0.857 
2011 ....................................................................................................  0.836 
2012 ....................................................................................................  0.811 
2013 ....................................................................................................  0.830 

0.891 
0.858 
0.868 
0.811 
0.849 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

Month ended 
January 31, 2014 ................................................................................. — 
February 28, 2014 ............................................................................... — 
March 31, 2014 ................................................................................... — 
April 30, 2014 ..................................................................................... — 
May 31, 2014 ...................................................................................... — 
June 30, 2014 ...................................................................................... — 
Period ended July 18, 2014 ................................................................. — 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

0.817 
0.818 
0.821 
0.820 
0.809 
0.798 
0.789 

0.834 
0.833 
0.840 
0.830 
0.822 
0.814 
0.798 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.K. pounds sterling per U.S.$1.00(d) 

Year ended December 31, 

End of 
Period 

Average (b) 

Low 

High 

2009 ....................................................................................................  0.627 
2010 ....................................................................................................  0.641 
2011 ....................................................................................................  0.645 
2012 ....................................................................................................  0.615 
2013 ....................................................................................................  0.603 

0.641 
0.647 
0.624 
0.628 
0.639 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

Month ended 
January 31, 2014 .................................................................................  — 
February 28, 2014 ...............................................................................  — 
March 31, 2014 ...................................................................................  — 
April 30, 2014 .....................................................................................  — 
May 31, 2014 ......................................................................................  — 
June 30, 2014 ......................................................................................  — 
Period ended July 18, 2014 .................................................................  — 

______________ 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

0.602 
0.597 
0.597 
0.592 
0.589 
0.584 
0.582 

0.612 
0.613 
0.606 
0.603 
0.598 
0.598 
0.585 

(a)  Based on the Federal Reserve Rate for euro. 
(b)  The  average  of  the  relevant  exchange  rates  on  the  last  business  day  of  each  month  during  the 

relevant period. 

(c)  Based on the composite exchange rate as quoted at 5 p.m., New York time, by Bloomberg/Reuters. 
(d)  Based on the Federal Reserve Rate for U.K. pound sterling. 

As of July 18, 2014, the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the euro was €1.00 = $1.3524, or 
$1.00 = €0.7394; the exchange rate between the U.K. pound sterling and the euro was U.K. £1.00 = €1.2642, or 
€1.00  =  U.K.  £0.7910;  and  the  exchange  rate  between  the  U.K.  pound  sterling  and  the  U.S.  dollar  was  U.K. 
£1.00 = $1.7086, or $1.00 = U.K. £0.5852. For a discussion of the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the 
Company‘s results of operations, see ―Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.‖ 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SELECTED OPERATING AND OTHER DATA 

The following tables set forth certain operating data of Ryanair for each of the fiscal years shown. Such 
data are derived from the Company‘s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS and 
certain  other  data,  and  are  not  audited.  For  definitions  of  the  terms  used  in  this  table,  see  the  Glossary  in 
Appendix A.  

Operating Data: 
Average Yield per Revenue 

         Fiscal Year ended March 31, 

2014 

2013 

2012 

2011 

2010 

Passenger Mile (―RPM‖) (€) ...............   0.059 

Average Yield per Available 

Seat Miles (―ASM‖) (€) ......................   0.049 

Average Fuel Cost per U.S. 

Gallon (€) ............................................   2.453 
Cost per ASM (―CASM‖) (€) .................   0.055 
Operating Margin ...................................   13% 
Break-even Load Factor .........................   72% 
Average Booked Passenger 

Fare (€) ................................................   46.40 
Cost Per Booked Passenger (€) ..............   53.61 
Ancillary Revenue per Booked 

Passenger (€) .......................................  

 15.27 

0.064 

0.052 

2.381 
0.056 
15% 
70% 

48.20 
52.56 

13.43 

0.059 

0.048 

2.075 
0.051 
14% 
70% 

45.36 
48.90 

11.69 

0.053 

0.045 

1.756 
0.049 
14% 
72% 

39.24 
43.59 

11.12 

0.052 

0.043 

1.515 
0.047 
13% 
73% 

34.95 
38.88 

9.98 

Other Data: 
2014 
Revenue Passengers Booked ..................  
81,668,285 
Revenue Passenger Miles .......................  
Available Seat Miles ..............................  
Booked Passenger Load 

2010 
66,503,999 
64,470,425,471  59,865,600,628  58,584,451,085  53,256,894,035  44,841,072,500 
77,916,511,414  72,829,956,243  71,139,686,423  63,358,255,401  53,469,635,740 

2011 
72,062,659 

2013 
79,256,253 

Fiscal Year ended March 31, 
2012 
75,814,551 

Factor...................................................   83% 

82% 

82% 

83% 

82% 

Average Length of Passenger 

Haul (miles) .........................................   788 
Sectors Flown .........................................  524,765 
Number of Airports Served 

at Period End .......................................   186 

Average Daily Flight Hour 

Utilization (hours) ...............................   8.81 

Average Daily Block Hour 

Utilization (hours) ...............................  11.76 
Staff at Period End .................................  8,992 
Staff per Aircraft at Period 

End  .....................................................  

30 

Booked Passengers per Staff 

754 
512,765 

771 
489,759 

727 
463,460 

661 
427,900 

167 

8.24 

11.53 
9,137 

30 

159 

8.47 

11.78 
8,388 

30 

158 

8.36 

11.12 
8,560 

31 

153 

8.89 

11.74 
7,168 

31 

9,253 

at Period End .......................................  9,082 

8,674 

9,038 

8,418 

______________ 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
RISK FACTORS 

Risks Related to the Company 

Changes in Fuel Costs and Fuel Availability Affect the  Company’s Results and Increase the 
Likelihood  of  Adverse  Impact  to  the  Company’s  Profitability.  Jet  fuel  costs  are  subject  to  wide 
fluctuations  as  a  result  of  many  economic  and  political  factors  and  events  occurring  throughout  the 
world that  Ryanair can neither control nor accurately predict, including increases in demand,  sudden 
disruptions in supply and other concerns about global supply, as well as market speculation. Oil prices 
increased  substantially  in  fiscal  years  2012,  2013  and  2014  and  remain  at  elevated  levels.  As 
international prices for jet fuel are denominated in U.S. dollars, Ryanair‘s fuel costs are also subject to 
certain exchange rate risks. Substantial price increases, adverse exchange rates, or the unavailability of 
adequate  fuel  supplies,  including,  without  limitation,  any  such  events  resulting  from  international 
terrorism,  prolonged  hostilities  in  Ukraine  or  the  Middle  East  or  other  oil-producing  regions  or  the 
suspension of production by any significant producer, may adversely affect Ryanair‘s profitability. In 
the event of a fuel shortage resulting from a disruption of oil imports or otherwise, additional increases 
in fuel prices or a curtailment of scheduled services could result.  

Ryanair has historically entered into arrangements providing for substantial protection against 
fluctuations in fuel prices, generally through forward contracts covering periods of up to 18 months of 
anticipated  jet  fuel  requirements.  As  of  July  25,  2014,  Ryanair  had  entered  into  forward  jet  fuel  (jet 
kerosene)  contracts  covering  approximately  90%  of  its  estimated  requirements  for  the  fiscal  year 
ending  March  31,  2015  at prices  equivalent  to  approximately  $950  per  metric  ton.  In  addition,  as  of 
July  25,  2014,  Ryanair  had  entered  into  forward  jet  fuel  (jet  kerosene)  contracts  covering 
approximately 55% of its estimated requirements for the first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 
2016  at  prices  equivalent  to  approximately  $950  per  metric  ton.  Ryanair  is  exposed  to  risks  arising 
from fluctuations in the price of fuel, and movements in the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate because of 
the  limited  nature  of  its  hedging  program,  especially  in  light  of  the  recent  volatility  in  the  relevant 
currency  and  commodity  markets.  Any  further  increase  in  fuel  costs  could  have  a  material  adverse 
effect on Ryanair‘s financial performance. In addition, any strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the 
euro could have an adverse effect on the cost of buying fuel in euro. As of July 25, 2014, Ryanair had 
hedged approximately 90% of its forecasted fuel-related dollar purchases against the euro at a rate of 
approximately $1.34 per euro for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 and approximately 50% of its 
forecasted fuel related dollar purchases against the euro at a rate of approximately $1.37 per euro for 
the first 6 months of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.  

No assurances whatsoever can be given about trends in fuel prices, and average fuel prices for 
future  years  may  be  significantly  higher  than  current  prices.  Management  estimates  that  every  $10 
movement  in  the  price  of  a  metric  ton  of  jet  fuel  will  impact  Ryanair‘s  costs  by  approximately  €2 
million,  taking  into  account  Ryanair‘s  hedging  programme  for  the  2015  fiscal  year.  There  can  be  no 
assurance, however, in this regard, and the impact of fuel prices on Ryanair‘s operating results may be 
more,  or  less,    pronounced.  There  also  cannot  be  any  assurance  that  Ryanair‘s  current  or  any  future 
arrangements will be adequate to protect Ryanair from increases in the price of fuel or that Ryanair will 
not incur losses due to high fuel prices, either alone or in combination with other factors. Because of 
Ryanair‘s  low  fares  and  its  no-fuel-surcharges  policy,  as  well  as  Ryanair‘s  expansion  plans,  which 
could have a negative impact on yields, its ability to pass on increased fuel costs to passengers through 
increased  fares  or  otherwise  is  somewhat  limited.  Moreover,  the  anticipated  expansion  of  Ryanair‘s 
fleet  from  September  2014  onwards  will  likely  result  in  an  increase,  in  absolute  terms,  in  Ryanair‘s 
aggregate fuel costs.  

Ryanair  Has  Decided  to  Seasonally  Ground  Aircraft.  In  recent  years,  in  response  to  an 
operating environment characterized by high fuel prices, typically lower winter traffic and yields and 
higher airport charges and/or taxes, Ryanair has adopted a policy of grounding a certain portion of its 
fleet during the winter months (from November to March). In the winter of fiscal year 2014, Ryanair 
grounded  approximately  70  aircraft  and  the  Company  intends  to  again  ground  approximately  50 
aircraft in the coming winter. Ryanair‘s adoption of the policy of seasonally grounding aircraft presents 
some risks. While Ryanair seeks to implement its seasonal grounding policy in a way that will allow it 
to reduce losses by operating flights during periods of high oil prices to high cost airports at low winter 
yields, there can be no assurance that this strategy will be successful.  

47 

 
Additionally,  Ryanair‘s  growth  has  been  largely  dependent  on  increasing  summer  capacity, 
and decreasing winter capacity, which may affect the overall future growth of Ryanair. Further, while 
seasonal grounding does reduce Ryanair‘s variable operating costs, it does not avoid fixed costs such as 
aircraft  ownership  costs,  and  it  also  decreases  Ryanair‘s  potential  to  earn  ancillary  revenues. 
Decreasing the number and frequency of  flights  may also negatively affect Ryanair‘s labor relations, 
including  its  ability  to  attract  flight  personnel  only  interested  in  year  round  employment.  Such  risks 
could lead to negative effects on Ryanair‘s financial condition and/or results of operations.  

Ryanair  May  Not  Achieve  All  of  the  Expected  Benefits  of  its  Recent  Strategic  Initiatives. 
Ryanair  is  in  the  process  of  implementing  a  series  of  strategic  initiatives  that  are  expected  to  have  a 
significant  impact  on  its  business.    Among  other  things,  these  initiatives  include  scheduling  more 
flights  to  primary  airports,  selling  flights  via  corporate  travel  agents  on  global  distribution  systems 
(―GDS‖),  increasing  marketing  spending  significantly,  and  adjusting  the  airline‘s  yield  management 
strategy  with  the  goal  of  increasing  load  factors.    Ryanair  has  also  announced  a  series  of  customer-
experience  related  initiatives,  including  a  new,  easier-to-navigate  website  with  a  fare  finder  facility, 
reduced  penalty  fees,  more  customer-friendly  baggage  allowances,  24  hour  grace  periods  to  correct 
minor  booking  errors  and  the  introduction  of  allocated  seating.  For  additional  information  on  these 
initiatives, see  ―Strategy‖.  Although customer reaction to the  measures has, so far, been positive and 
management expects these initiatives to be accretive to the Company‘s results over time, no assurance 
can  be  given  that  the  financial  impact  of  the  initiatives  will  be  positive,  particularly  in  the  short  to 
medium term. In particular, certain of the strategic initiatives may have the effect of increasing certain 
of  the  Company‘s  costs  (including  airport  fees  and  marketing  expenses),  while  reducing  ancillary 
revenues previously earned from website sales and from various penalty fees and charges. Although the 
Company expects that revenues from allocated seating will offset the reduction in ancillary revenues, 
there  can  be  no  assurance  that  this  will  occur.  Factors  beyond  Ryanair‘s  control,  including  but  not 
limited  to  customer  acceptance,  competitive  reactions,  market  and  economic  conditions  and  other 
challenges described in this report could limit Ryanair‘s ability to achieve some or all of the expected 
benefits of these initiatives. A  relatively  minor shortfall  from expected revenue levels (or increase in 
expected  costs)  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company‘s  growth  or  financial 
performance. 

Currency Fluctuations Affect the Company’s Results. Although the Company is headquartered 
in Ireland, a significant portion of its operations are conducted in the U.K. Consequently, the Company 
has significant operating revenues and operating expenses, as well as assets and liabilities, denominated 
in  U.K.  pounds  sterling.  In  addition,  fuel,  aircraft,  insurance,  and  some  maintenance  obligations  are 
denominated  in  U.S.  dollars.  The  Company‘s  operations  and  financial  performance  can  therefore  be 
significantly  affected  by  fluctuations  in  the  values  of  the  U.K.  pound sterling  and  the  U.S.  dollar. 
Ryanair  is  particularly  vulnerable  to  direct  exchange  rate  risks  between  the  euro  and  the  U.S. dollar 
because a significant portion of its operating costs are incurred in U.S. dollars and none of its revenues 
are denominated in U.S. dollars.  

Although  the  Company  engages  in  foreign  currency  hedging  transactions  between  the  euro 
and the U.S. dollar, between the euro and the U.K. pound sterling, and between the U.K. pound sterling 
and  the  U.S.  dollar,  hedging  activities  cannot  be  expected  to  eliminate  currency  risks.  See  ―Item  11. 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.‖ 

The  Company  May  Not  Be  Successful  in  Increasing  Fares  to  Cover  Rising  Business  Costs. 
Ryanair operates a low-fares airline. The success of its business model depends on its ability to control 
costs so as to deliver low fares while at the same time earning a profit. Ryanair has limited control over 
its  fuel  costs  and  already  has  comparatively  low  operating  costs.  In  periods  of  high  fuel  costs,  if 
Ryanair is unable to further reduce its other operating costs or generate additional revenues, operating 
profits  are  likely  to  fall.  Furthermore,  as  part  of  its  change  in  marketing  and  airport  strategy,  the 
Company will expect increased marketing and advertising costs along with higher airport charges due 
to  the  increasing  number  of  primary  airports  it  operates  to.  Ryanair  cannot  offer  any  assurances 
regarding  its  future  profitability.  Changes  in  fuel  costs  and  fuel  availability  could  have  a  material 
adverse  impact  on  Ryanair‘s  results  and  could  also  increase  the  likelihood  that  Ryanair  may  incur 
losses.  See  ―—The  Company  Faces  Significant  Price  and  Other  Pressures  in  a  Highly  Competitive 
Environment‖  below  and  ―—Changes  in  Fuel  Costs  and  Fuel  Availability  Affect  the  Company‘s 
Results and Increase the Likelihood of Adverse Impact to the Company‘s Profitability‖ above. 

48 

 
The Company is Subject to Legal Proceedings Alleging State Aid at Certain Airports.  Formal 
investigations are ongoing by the European Commission into Ryanair‘s agreements  with the Lübeck, 
Alghero,  Frankfurt  (Hahn),  Zweibrücken,  Altenburg,  Klagenfurt,  Stockholm  (Vasteras),  Paris 
(Beauvais),  La  Rochelle,  Carcassonne,  Brussels  (Charleroi),  Cagliari,  Girona  and  Reus  airports.  The 
investigations  seek  to  determine  whether  the  arrangements  constitute  illegal  state  aid  under  EU  law. 
The investigations are expected to be completed in mid to late 2014, with the European Commission‘s 
decisions  being  appealable  to  the  EU  General  Court.  Investigations  between  2010  and  2014  into 
Ryanair‘s agreements with the Bratislava, Tampere, Marseille, Berlin (Schönefeld) and Aarhus airports 
concluded with findings that these agreements contained no state aid.  On July 23, 2014 the European 
Commission announced a ‗no state aid‘ decision in respect of Dusseldorf (Weeze) airport, as well as 
findings of state aid to Ryanair in its arrangements with Pau, Nimes and Angouleme airports, ordering 
Ryanair  to  repay  a  total  of  approximately  €9.7m  of  alleged  aid.    Ryanair  will  appeal  these  ‗aid‘ 
decisions to the EU General Court where proceedings are expected to take between 2 and 4 years.  In 
addition to the European Commission investigations, Ryanair is facing allegations that it has benefited 
from  unlawful  state  aid  in  a  number  of  court  cases,  including  in  relation  to  its  arrangements  with 
Frankfurt (Hahn) and Lübeck airports. Adverse rulings in the above state aid matters could be used as 
precedents by competitors to  challenge  Ryanair‘s agreements  with other publicly owned airports and 
could  cause  Ryanair  to  strongly  reconsider  its  growth  strategy  in  relation  to  public  or  state-owned 
airports across Europe. This could in turn lead to a scaling-back of Ryanair‘s overall growth strategy 
due to the smaller number of privately owned airports available for development.  

On  July  25,  2012,  the  European  Commission  decided  that  Ryanair,  along  with  Aer  Lingus 
Group  plc  (―Aer  Lingus‖)  and  Aer  Arann,  had  been  in  receipt  of  unlawful  state  aid  from  the  Irish 
government as a result of being an identified beneficiary of the two-tier air travel tax in place for flights 
departing  from  Irish  airports  between  March  2009  and  March  2011.    Ryanair  was  the  original 
complainant to the European Commission, alleging that the air travel tax favored Aer Arann and Aer 
Lingus.    Ryanair  appealed  the  decision  of  the  European  Commission  to  the  EU  General  Court  on 
November 14, 2012.  The hearing in the EU General Court took place in June 2014, and judgment is 
expected within six months of the hearing.  The EU General Court may affirm or annul the European 
Commission decision.  The Irish State is obliged to recover the unlawful state aid from Ryanair before 
the  Irish  courts  notwithstanding  Ryanair‘s  appeal  of  the  EU  Commission  decision,  and  initiated  its 
claim in April 2013.  The Irish State is seeking approximately €12 million plus interest from Ryanair in 
these  proceedings.    Ryanair  has  also  issued  proceedings  before  the  Irish  courts  for  recovery  of  the 
entire amount of the air travel tax paid during the period March 2009 – March 2011 on the basis of the 
two-tier nature of the tax being unlawful under EU law.   

No assurance can be given as to the outcome of these legal proceedings, nor as to whether any 
unfavorable  outcomes  may,  individually  or  in  the  aggregate,  have  an  adverse  effect  on  the  results  of 
operations or financial condition of Ryanair.  

For  additional  information,  please  see  ―Item  8.  Financial  InformationOther  Financial 

InformationLegal Proceedings.‖ 

The  Company  Faces  Significant  Price  and  Other  Pressures  in  a  Highly  Competitive 
Environment.  Ryanair  operates  in  a  highly  competitive  marketplace,  with  a  number  of  low-fare, 
traditional and charter airlines competing throughout its route network. Airlines compete  primarily in 
respect of fare levels,  frequency and dependability of  service, name recognition, passenger amenities 
(such as access to frequent flyer programmes), and the availability and convenience of other passenger 
services.  Unlike  Ryanair,  certain  competitors  are  state-owned  or  state-controlled  flag  carriers  and  in 
some cases may have greater name recognition and resources and may have received, or may receive in 
the  future,  significant amounts of  subsidies and other state aid from their respective  governments.  In 
addition,  the  EU-U.S.  Open  Skies  Agreement,  which  came  into  effect  in  March  2008,  allows  U.S. 
carriers to offer services in the intra-EU market, which could eventually result in increased competition 
in the EU market. See ―Item 4. Information on the Company—Government Regulation—Liberalization 
of the EU Air Transportation Market.‖ 

49 

 
 
 
The  airline  industry  is  highly  susceptible  to  price  discounting,  in  part  because  airlines  incur 
very  low  marginal  costs  for  providing  service  to  passengers  occupying  otherwise  unsold  seats.  Both 
low-fare and traditional airlines sometimes offer low fares in direct competition with Ryanair across a 
significant proportion of its route network as a result of the liberalization of the EU air transport market 
and  greater  public  acceptance  of  the  low-fares  model.  Ryanair‘s  average  booked  passenger  fare 
decreased  in  the  2014  fiscal  year,  and  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  it  will  not  decrease  further  in 
future periods.  

Although Ryanair intends to compete vigorously and to assert its rights against any predatory 
pricing or other similar conduct, price competition among airlines could reduce the level of fares and/or 
passenger traffic on Ryanair‘s routes to the point where profitability may not be achievable.  

In addition to traditional competition among airline companies and charter operators who have 
entered the low-fares market, the industry also faces competition from ground transportation (including 
high-speed  rail  systems)  and  sea  transportation  alternatives,  as  businesses  and  recreational  travellers 
seek substitutes for air travel.  

The Company Will Incur Significant Costs Acquiring New Aircraft and Any Instability in the 
Credit  and  Capital  Markets  Could  Negatively  Impact  Ryanair’s  Ability  to  Obtain  Financing  on 
Acceptable  Terms.  Ryanair‘s  continued  growth  is  dependent  upon  its  ability  to  acquire  additional 
aircraft to meet additional capacity needs and to replace older  aircraft. Ryanair had 297 aircraft in its 
fleet  by  March  31,  2014  and  has  ordered  an  additional  180  new  Boeing  737-800  next  generation 
aircraft (the ―New Aircraft‖) for delivery during fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2019 pursuant to a contract with 
the  Boeing  Company  (the  ―2013  Boeing  Contract‖).    Ryanair  expects  to  have  approximately  426 
aircraft in its fleet by March 31, 2019, depending on the level of lease returns/disposals. For additional 
information  on  the  Company‘s  aircraft  fleet  and  expansion  plans,  see  ―Item  4.  Information  on  the 
Company—Aircraft‖  and  ―Item  5.  Operating  and  Financial  Review  and  ProspectsLiquidity  and 
Capital Resources.‖ There can be no assurance that this planned expansion will not outpace the growth 
of  passenger  traffic  on  Ryanair‘s  routes  or  that  traffic  growth  will  not  prove  to  be  greater  than  the 
expanded  fleet  can  accommodate.  In  either  case,  such  developments  could  have  a  material  adverse 
effect on the Company‘s business, results of operations, and financial condition. 

As  a  result  of  the  2013  Boeing  Contract,  the  Company  is  expected  to  raise  substantial  debt 
financing  to  cover  all  of  the  expected  aircraft  deliveries  over  the  period  from  September  2014  to 
December 2018, including Ryanair‘s issuance of €850.0 million in 1.875% unsecured eurobonds with a 
7 year tenor in June 2014 that are guaranteed by Ryanair Holdings. This aircraft order is expected to 
increase the Company‘s outstanding debt from fiscal 2015 onwards.  Furthermore, Ryanair‘s ability to 
raise unsecured or secured debt to pay for aircraft as they are delivered is subject to various conditions 
imposed by the counterparties and debt markets to such loan facilities and related loan guarantees, and 
any future financing is expected to be subject to similar conditions.  Any failure by Ryanair to comply 
with such conditions would have a material adverse effect on its operations and financial condition. 

Using the debt capital markets to finance the Company and the 2013 Boeing Contract requires 
the Company to obtain and retain investment grade credit ratings, (the Company has a BBB+ (stable) 
credit rating from S&P and a BBB+ (stable) credit rating from Fitch). There is a risk that the Company 
will  be  unable,  or  unwilling,  to  access  these  markets  if  it  is  downgraded  or  is  unable  to  retain  its 
investment grade credit ratings and this could lead to a higher cost of finance for Ryanair. 

Ryanair has also entered into significant derivative transactions intended to hedge its current 
aircraft  acquisition-related  debt  obligations.  These  derivative  transactions  expose  Ryanair  to  certain 
risks and could have adverse effects on its results of operations and financial condition. See ―Item 11. 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.‖ 

50 

 
 
 
The  Company’s  Growth  May  Expose  It  to  Risks.  Ryanair‘s  operations  have  grown  rapidly 
since  it  pioneered  the  low-fares  operating  model  in  Europe  in  the  early  1990s.    Ryanair  intends  to 
continue to expand its fleet and add new destinations and additional flights, with the goal of increasing 
Ryanair‘s booked passenger volumes to approximately 112.0 million passengers per annum by March 
31, 2019, an increase of approximately 37% from the approximately 81.7 million passengers booked in 
the  2014  fiscal  year.  However,  no  assurance  can  be  given  that  this  target  will  be  met.  If  growth  in 
passenger  traffic  and  Ryanair‘s  revenues  do  not  keep  pace  with  the  planned  expansion  of  its  fleet, 
Ryanair could suffer from overcapacity and its results of operations and financial condition (including 
its  ability  to  fund  scheduled  purchases  of  the  New  Aircraft  and  related  debt  repayments)  could  be 
materially adversely affected.  

The  continued  expansion  of  Ryanair‘s  fleet  and  operations,  at  a  rate  lower  than  in  previous 
years (although in absolute terms it may be higher), in addition to other factors, may also strain existing 
management  resources  and  related  operational,  financial,  management  information  and  information 
technology systems. Expansion will generally require additional skilled personnel, equipment, facilities 
and  systems.  An  inability  to  hire  skilled  personnel  or  to  secure  required  equipment  and  facilities 
efficiently and in a cost-effective manner may adversely affect Ryanair‘s ability to achieve  its growth 
plans and sustain or increase its profitability.  

Ryanair’s New Routes and Expanded Operations May Have an Adverse Financial Impact on 
its Results.  Currently, a substantial  number of carriers operate  routes that compete  with Ryanair, and 
the Company expects to face further intense competition.  

When Ryanair commences new routes, its load factors and fares tend to be lower than those 
on its established routes and its advertising and other promotional costs tend to be higher, which may 
result in initial losses that could have a material negative impact on Ryanair‘s results of operations as 
well  as  require  a  substantial  amount  of  cash  to  fund.  In  addition,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that 
Ryanair‘s  low-fares  service  will  be  accepted  on  new  routes.  Ryanair  also  periodically  runs  special 
promotional fare campaigns, in particular in connection with the opening of new routes. Promotional 
fares  may  have  the  effect  of  increasing  load  factors  and  reducing  Ryanair‘s  yield  and  passenger 
revenues on  such routes during the periods that they are  in effect.  Ryanair has other significant cash 
needs as it expands, including as regards the cash required to fund aircraft purchases or aircraft deposits 
related to the acquisition of additional Boeing 737-800 series aircraft. There can be no assurance that 
Ryanair will have sufficient cash to make such expenditures and investments, and to the extent Ryanair 
is unable to expand its route system successfully, its future revenue and earnings growth will in turn be 
limited. See ―—The Company Will Incur Significant Costs Acquiring New Aircraft and Any Instability 
in the Credit and Capital Markets Could Negatively Impact Ryanair‘s Ability to Obtain Financing on 
Acceptable Terms.‖ 

Ryanair’s  Continued  Growth  is  Dependent  on  Access  to  Suitable  Airports;  Charges  for 
Airport  Access  are  Subject  to  Increase.  Airline  traffic  at  certain  European  airports  is  regulated  by  a 
system of grandfathered ―slot‖ allocations. Each slot represents authorization to take-off and land at the 
particular  airport  during  a  specified  time  period.  Although  the  majority  of  Ryanair‘s  bases  currently 
have  no  slot  allocations,  traffic  at  a  minority  of  the  airports  Ryanair  serves,  including  some  of  its 
primary bases, is currently regulated through slot allocations. In addition, many of the primary airports 
that  Ryanair  intends  to  serve  as  part  of  its  recent  strategic  initiatives  are  subject  to  slot  allocations. 
There  can  be  no  assurance  that  Ryanair  will  be  able  to  obtain  a  sufficient  number  of  slots  at  slot-
controlled airports that it may  wish to serve in the future, at the time it needs them, or on acceptable 
terms.  There  can  also  be  no  assurance  that  its  non-slot  constrained  bases,  or  the  other  non-slot 
constrained airports Ryanair serves, will continue to operate  without slot allocation restrictions in the 
future.  See  ―Item  4.  Information  on  the  Company—Government  Regulation—Slots.‖  Airports  may 
impose  other  operating  restrictions  such  as  curfews,  limits  on  aircraft  noise  levels,  mandatory  flight 
paths, runway restrictions, and limits on the number of average daily departures. Such restrictions may 
limit the ability of Ryanair to provide service to, or increase service at, such airports. 

51 

 
 
 
Ryanair‘s  future  growth  also  materially  depends  on  its  ability  to  access  suitable  airports 
located  in  its  targeted  geographic  markets  at  costs  that  are  consistent  with  Ryanair‘s  strategy.  Any 
condition  that  denies,  limits,  or  delays  Ryanair‘s  access  to  airports  it  serves  or  seeks  to  serve  in  the 
future  would constrain Ryanair‘s ability to grow.  A change in the terms of  Ryanair‘s access to these 
facilities  or  any  increase  in  the  relevant  charges  paid  by  Ryanair  as  a  result  of  the  expiration  or 
termination of such arrangements and Ryanair‘s failure to renegotiate comparable terms or rates could 
have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company‘s  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations.  For 
example in Spain, the Spanish government increased airport taxes at the two largest airports, Barcelona 
and  Madrid,  by  over  100%,  while  smaller  increases  were  implemented  at  other  Spanish  airports 
effective from July 1, 2012. As a result,  Ryanair cancelled routes and reduced capacity on remaining 
routes from Madrid and Barcelona in response to the Spanish government‘s decision to double airport 
taxes  at  the  two  airports.    For  additional  information,  see  ―Item  4.  Information  on  the  Company—
Airport  Operations—Airport  Charges.‖  See  also  ―—The  Company  Is  Subject  to  Legal  Proceedings 
Alleging State Aid at Certain Airports.‖  

The  Company’s  Acquisition  of  29.8%  of  Aer  Lingus  and  Subsequent  Failure  to  Conclude  a 
Complete Acquisition of Aer Lingus Could Expose the Company to Risk. During the 2007 fiscal year, 
the Company acquired 25.2% of Aer Lingus. The Company increased its interest to 29.3% during the 
2008 fiscal year, and to 29.8% during the 2009 fiscal year at a total aggregate cost of  €407.2 million. 
Following  the  acquisition  of  its  initial  stake  and  upon  the  approval  of  the  Company‘s  shareholders, 
management  proposed  to  effect  a  tender  offer  to  acquire  the  entire  share  capital  of  Aer  Lingus.  This 
2006 offer was, however, prohibited by the European Commission on competition grounds. 

In October 2007, the European Commission reached a formal decision that it would not force 
Ryanair  to  sell  its  shares  in  Aer  Lingus.  This  decision  has  been  affirmed  on  appeal.  However,  EU 
legislation may change in the future to require such a forced disposition. If eventually forced to dispose 
of its stake in Aer Lingus, Ryanair could suffer significant losses due to the negative impact on market 
prices of the forced sale of such a significant portion of Aer Lingus‘ shares. 

The United Kingdom‘s Office of Fair Trading (―OFT‖) wrote to Ryanair in September 2010, 
advising that it intended to investigate Ryanair‘s minority stake in Aer Lingus. Ryanair objected on the 
basis  that  the  OFT‘s  investigation  was  time-barred.  On  June  15,  2012,  the  OFT  referred  the 
investigation  of  Ryanair‘s  minority  stake  in  Aer  Lingus  to  the  U.K.  Competition  Commission  (the 
―Competition Commission‖).  

On  June  19,  2012,  Ryanair  announced  its  third  all  cash  offer  to  acquire  all  of  the  ordinary 
shares of Aer Lingus it did not own at a price of €1.30 per ordinary share and immediately commenced 
pre-notification  discussions  with  the  European  Commission  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  a  merger 
filing.    Ryanair  contended  that,  pending  the  outcome  of  the  European  Commission‘s  review  of 
Ryanair‘s  bid,  on  the  basis  of  the  duty  of  ―sincere  cooperation‖  between  the  EU  and  the  Member 
States,  and  under  the  EU  Merger  Regulation,  the  UK  Competition  Commission‘s  investigation  of 
Ryanair‘s minority stake in Aer Lingus should not have properly proceeded.  Nevertheless, Aer Lingus 
argued  that  the  investigation  should  proceed  and  that  Ryanair‘s  offer  was  in  breach  of  certain 
provisions of the UK Enterprise Act 2002.   

On July 10, 2012, the Competition Commission ruled that Ryanair‘s bid was not in breach of 
the  UK  Enterprise  Act,  but  nevertheless  decided  that  its  investigation  of  the  minority  stake  could 
proceed in parallel with the European Commission‘s investigation of  Ryanair‘s  offer for Aer Lingus.  
In  July  2012,  Ryanair  appealed  the  latter  part  of  the  Competition  Commission‘s  ruling  to  the  UK 
Competition  Appeal  Tribunal,  and  the  Competition  Commission‘s  investigation  became  suspended 
pending the appeal process.  On  August 8, 2012, the  Competition  Appeal Tribunal  (―CAT‖)  rejected 
Ryanair‘s appeal and found that the Competition Commission‘s investigation could proceed in parallel 
with  the  European  Commission‘s  investigation,  but  that  the  Competition  Commission  must  avoid 
taking any final decision which could conflict with the European Commission‘s ultimate conclusion on 
Ryanair‘s  bid.    In  August  2012,  Ryanair  appealed  the  Competition  Appeal  Tribunal  judgment  to  the 
UK  Court  of  Appeal.    In  December  2012,  the  Court  of  Appeal  rejected  Ryanair‘s  appeal  and 
subsequently the Competition Commission‘s investigation restarted.  On December 13, 2012, Ryanair 
applied to the UK Supreme Court for permission to appeal the judgment of the  UK Court of Appeal.  
The UK Supreme Court refused permission to appeal on April 25, 2013.  

52 

 
On  February  27,  2013,  the  European  Commission  prohibited  Ryanair‘s  bid  to  acquire  the 
entire  share  capital  of  Aer  Lingus  on  the  claimed  basis  that  it  would  be  incompatible  with  the  EU 
internal  market.    Ryanair  appealed  this  decision  to  the  EU  General  Court  on  May  8,  2013.  The 
judgment  of  the  EU  General  Court  is  expected  in  2015  and  may  affirm  or  annul  the  decision  of  the 
European Commission. 

Following the European Commission‘s decision to prohibit its offer for Aer Lingus, Ryanair 
actively  engaged  with  the  UK  Competition  Commission‘s  investigation  of  the  minority  stake.  On 
August 28, 2013, the UK Competition Commission (the ―UKCC‖) issued its final decision in which it 
found that Ryanair‘s shareholding ―gave it the ability to exercise material influence over Aer Lingus‖ 
and ―had led or may be expected to lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the markets for air 
passenger services between Great Britain and Ireland.‖  As a result of its findings, the UKCC ordered 
Ryanair  to  reduce  its  shareholding  in  Aer  Lingus  to  below  5  percent  of  Aer  Lingus‘  issued  ordinary 
shares.   Ryanair appealed the UKCC‘s  final decision to the CAT on September  23, 2013.   The CAT 
rejected Ryanair‘s appeal on March 7, 2014. On April 23, 2014, the CAT granted Ryanair permission 
to appeal the CAT‘s judgment to the UK Court of Appeal. Should this appeal or any subsequent appeal 
to the UK Supreme Court be unsuccessful, Ryanair could suffer losses due to the negative impact on 
market prices of the forced sale of such a significant portion of Aer Lingus‘ shares.   Ryanair believes 
that  the  enforcement  of  any  such  decision  should  be  delayed  until  the  outcome  of  Ryanair‘s  appeal 
against  the  European  Commission‘s  February  2013  prohibition  decision  of  Ryanair‘s  2012  offer  for 
Aer  Lingus,  and  the  conclusion  of  any  appeals  against  the  UKCC‘s  decision  in  the  UK  courts.  
However,  it  is  possible  that  the  UKCC  will  seek  to  enforce  any  such  sell-down  remedy  at  an  earlier 
date.  For more information, see ―Item 8. Financial Information—Other Financial Information—Legal 
Proceedings—Matters Related to Investment in Aer Lingus.‖ 

Labor Relations Could Expose the Company to Risk. A variety of factors, including, but not 
limited to, Ryanair‘s profitability and its seasonal grounding policy, may make it difficult for Ryanair 
to avoid increases to salary levels and productivity payments. Consequently, there can be no assurance 
that  Ryanair‘s  existing  employee  compensation  arrangements  may  not  be  subject  to  change  or 
modification at any time. These steps may lead to deterioration in labor relations in Ryanair and could 
impact Ryanair‘s business or results. Ryanair also operates in certain jurisdictions with above average 
payroll  taxes  and  employee-related  social  insurance  costs,  which  could  have  an  impact  on  the 
availability  and  cost  of  employees  in  these  jurisdictions.  Ryanair‘s  crew  in  continental  Europe 
generally operate on Irish contracts of employment on the basis that those crew work on Irish Territory, 
(i.e., on board Irish Registered Aircraft).  A  number of challenges  have been initiated by  government 
agencies  in  a  number  of  countries  to  the  applicability  of  Irish  labor  law  to  these  contracts,  and  if 
Ryanair  were  forced  to  concede  that  Irish  jurisdiction  did  not  apply  to  those  crew  who  operate  from 
continental  Europe  then  it  could  lead  to  increased  salary,  social  insurance  and  pension  costs  and  a 
potential loss of flexibility. In relation to social insurance costs, the European Parliament implemented 
amendments to Regulation (EC) 883/2004 which, in the majority of jurisdictions, imposes substantial 
social insurance contribution increases for either or both Ryanair and the individual employees. While 
this change to social insurance contributions relates primarily to new employees, its effect in the long 
term  may  materially  increase  Company  or  employee  social  insurance  contributions  and  could  affect 
Ryanair‘s  decision  to  operate  from  those  high  cost  locations,  resulting  in  redundancies  and  a 
consequent deterioration in labor relations.   For additional details see — ―Change in EU Regulations 
in Relation to Employers and Employee Social Insurance could Increase Costs‖ below. 

Ryanair  currently  conducts  collective  bargaining  negotiations  with  groups  of  employees, 
including  its  pilots  and  cabin  crew,  regarding  pay,  work  practices,  and  conditions  of  employment, 
through collective-bargaining units called ―Employee Representative Committees‖. On June 19, 2009, 
BALPA  (the  U.K.  pilots  union)  made  a  request  for  voluntary  recognition  under  applicable  U.K. 
legislation,  which  Ryanair  rejected.  BALPA  had  the  option  of  applying  to  the  U.K.‘s  Central 
Arbitration Committee (CAC) to organize a vote on union recognition by Ryanair‘s pilots in relevant 
bargaining units, as determined by the CAC, but BALPA decided not to proceed with an application at 
that  time.  The  option  to  apply  for  a  ballot  remains  open  to  BALPA  and  if  it  were  to  seek  and  be 
successful in  such a ballot,  it  would be  able to represent the U.K. pilots in  negotiations over salaries 
and  working  conditions.  Limitations  on  Ryanair‘s  flexibility  in  dealing  with  its  employees  or  the 
altering  of  the  public‘s  perception  of  Ryanair  generally  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on 
Ryanair‘s  business,  operating  results,  and  financial  condition.  For  additional  details,  see  ―Item  6. 

53 

 
Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Staff and Labor Relations.‖ Limitations on Ryanair‘s 
flexibility in dealing with its staff or the altering of the public‘s perception of Ryanair generally could 
have a material adverse effect on the Company‘s business, operating results, and financial condition.  

The  Company  is  Dependent  on  External  Service  Providers.  Ryanair  currently  assigns  its 
engine overhauls and ―rotable‖ repairs to outside contractors approved under the terms of Part 145, the 
European  regulatory  standard  for  aircraft  maintenance  established  by  the  European  Aviation  Safety 
Agency (―Part 145‖). The Company also assigns its passenger, aircraft and ground handling services at 
airports other than Dublin and certain airports in Spain and the Canary Islands to established external 
service  providers.  See  ―Item  4.  Information  on  the  Company—Maintenance  and  Repairs—Heavy 
Maintenance‖  and  ―Item  4.  Information  on  the  Company—Airport  OperationsAirport  Handling 
Services.‖ 

The termination or expiration of any of Ryanair‘s service contracts or any inability to renew 
them or negotiate replacement contracts with other service providers at comparable rates could have a 
material adverse effect on the Company‘s results of operations. Ryanair will need to enter into airport 
service agreements in any new markets it enters, and there can be no assurance that it will be able to 
obtain the necessary facilities and services at competitive rates. In addition, although Ryanair seeks to 
monitor the performance of external parties that provide passenger and aircraft handling services, the 
efficiency,  timeliness,  and  quality  of  contract  performance  by  external  providers  are  largely  beyond 
Ryanair‘s  direct  control.  Ryanair  expects  to  be  dependent  on  such  outsourcing  arrangements  for  the 
foreseeable future.  

The  Company  is  Dependent  on  Key  Personnel.  Ryanair‘s  success  depends  to  a  significant 
extent  upon  the  efforts  and  abilities  of  its  senior  management  team,  including  Michael  O‘Leary,  the 
Chief  Executive  Officer,  and  key  financial,  commercial,  operating  and  maintenance  personnel. 
Mr. O‘Leary‘s current contract may be terminated by either party upon 12 months‘ notice.  See ―Item 
6.  Directors,  Senior  Management  and  Employees—Compensation  of  Directors  and  Senior 
Management—Employment and Bonus Agreement with Mr. O‘Leary.‖ Ryanair‘s success also depends 
on the ability of its executive officers and other members of senior management to operate and manage 
effectively,  both  independently  and  as  a  group.  Although  Ryanair‘s  employment  agreements  with 
Mr. O‘Leary  and  some  of  its  other  senior  executives  contain  non-competition  and  non-disclosure 
provisions,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  these  provisions  will  be  enforceable  in  whole  or  in  part. 
Competition  for  highly  qualified  personnel  is  intense,  and  either  the  loss  of  any  executive  officer, 
senior  manager,  or  other  key  employee  without  adequate  replacement  or  the  inability  to  attract  new 
qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect upon Ryanair‘s business, operating results, and 
financial condition.  

The Company Faces Risks Related to its Internet Reservations Operations and its Announced 
Elimination of Airport Check-in Facilities. Over 99% of Ryanair‘s flight reservations are made through 
its website. Although Ryanair has established a contingency program whereby the website is hosted in 
three separate locations, each of these locations accesses the same booking engine, located  at a single 
center, in order to make reservations.  

A back-up booking engine is available to Ryanair to support its existing platform in the event 
of a breakdown in this facility. Nonetheless, the process of switching over to the back-up engine could 
take  some  time  and  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  Ryanair  would  not  suffer  a  significant  loss  of 
reservations in the event of a major breakdown of its booking engine or other related systems, which, in 
turn, could have a material adverse effect on Ryanair‘s operating results or financial condition.  

Since  October  1,  2009,  all  passengers  have  been  required  to  use  Internet  check-in.  Internet 
check-in  is  part  of  a  package  of  measures  intended  to  reduce  check-in  lines  and  passenger  handling 
costs  and  pass  on  these  savings  by  reducing  passenger  airfares.  Ryanair  has  deployed  this  system 
across its network. Any disruptions to the Internet check-in service as a result of a breakdown in the 
relevant  computer  systems  or  otherwise  could  have  a  material  adverse  impact  on  these  service-
improvement  and  cost-reduction  efforts.  There  can  be  no  assurance,  however,  that  this  process  will 
continue  to  be  successful  or  that  consumers  will  not  switch  to  other  carriers  that  provide  standard 
check-in  facilities,  which  would  negatively  affect  Ryanair‘s  results  of  operations  and  financial 
condition.  

54 

 
The Company Faces Risks Related to Unauthorized Use of Information from the Company’s 
Website.  Screenscraper  websites  gain  unauthorized  access  to  Ryanair‘s  website  and  booking  system, 
extract  flight  and  pricing  information  and  display  it  on  their  own  websites  for  sale  to  customers  at 
prices which may include hidden intermediary fees on top of Ryanair‘s fares. Ryanair does not allow 
any such commercial use of its website and objects to the practice of screenscraping also on the basis 
of certain legal principles, such as database rights, copyright protection, etc. Ryanair is involved in a 
number of legal proceedings against the proprietors of screenscraper websites in Ireland, Germany, The 
Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland. Ryanair‘s objective is to prevent any unauthorized 
use  of  its  website.  Ryanair  does  allow  certain  companies  who  operate  fare  comparison  (i.e.  not 
reselling)  websites  to  access  its  schedule  and  fare  information  for  the  purposes  of  fare  comparison 
provided  they  sign  a  license  and  use  the  agreed  method  to  access  the  data.  Ryanair  also  permits 
Travelport (trading as Galileo and Worldspan, a GDS operator) to provide access to Ryanair‘s fares to 
traditional  travel  agencies.  Ryanair  has  received  favourable  rulings  in  Ireland,  Germany  and  The 
Netherlands, and unfavorable rulings in Spain, France and Italy, in its actions against screenscrapers. 
However,  pending  the  outcome  of  these  legal  proceedings  and  if  Ryanair  were  to  be  ultimately 
unsuccessful in them, the activities of screenscraper websites could lead to a reduction in the number of 
customers  who  book  directly  on  Ryanair‘s  website  and  consequently  to  a  reduction  in  Ryanair‘s 
ancillary revenue stream.  Also, some  customers  may  be lost to  Ryanair once they are presented by a 
screenscraper website with a Ryanair fare inflated by the screenscraper‘s intermediary fee. This could 
also  adversely  affect  Ryanair‘s  reputation  as  a  low-fares  airline,  which  could  negatively  affect 
Ryanair‘s results of operations and financial condition. 

For  additional  details,  see  ―Item  8.  Financial  Information—Other  Financial  Information—

Legal Proceedings—Legal Proceedings Against Internet Ticket Touts.‖ 

Ryanair is Subject To Cyber Security Risks And May Incur Increasing Costs In An Effort To 
Minimise Those Risks.  As almost all of Ryanair‘s reservations are  made through  its  website, security 
breaches  could  expose  it  to  a  risk  of  loss  or  misuse  of  customer  information,  litigation  and  potential 
liability. Although Ryanair takes steps to secure its website and management information systems, the 
security measures it has implemented may not be effective, and its systems may be vulnerable to theft, 
loss, damage and interruption from a  number of potential sources and events, including unauthorized 
access  or  security  breaches,  cyber  attacks,  computer  viruses,  power  loss,  or  other  disruptive  events. 
Ryanair may not have the resources or technical sophistication to anticipate or prevent rapidly evolving 
types of cyber attacks. Attacks may be targeted at Ryanair, its customers and suppliers, or others who 
have entrusted it with information.  

In  addition,  data  and  security  breaches  can  also  occur  as  a  result  of  non-technical  issues, 
including breaches by Ryanair or by persons with whom it has commercial relationships that result in 
the  unauthorized  release  of  personal  or  confidential  information.  Any  such  cyber  attack  or  other 
security issue could result in a significant loss of reservations and customer  confidence in the website 
and its business which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on Ryanair‘s operating results or 
financial condition and potentially entail its incurring significant litigation or other costs.  

The Irish Corporation Tax Rate Could  Rise. The majority of Ryanair‘s profits are subject to 
Irish corporation tax at a statutory rate of 12.5%. Due to the size and scale of the Irish government‘s 
budgetary deficit and although Ireland has exited the ―bailout‖ which was funded by a combination of 
loans from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, there remains a risk that the Irish 
government could increase Irish corporation tax rates above 12.5% in order to repay current or future 
loans or to increase tax revenues.   

At  12.5%,  the  rate  of  Irish  corporation  tax  is  lower  than  that  applied  by  most  of  the  other 
European  Union  member  states,  and  has  periodically  been  subject  to  critical  comment  by  the 
governments of other EU member states. Although the Irish government has repeatedly publicly stated 
that  it  will  not  increase  corporation  tax  rates,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  such  an  increase  in 
corporation tax rates will not occur.  

55 

 
 
 
In the event that the Irish government increases corporation tax rates or changes the basis of 
calculation of corporation tax from the present  basis, any such changes would result in the Company 
paying higher corporate taxes and would have an adverse impact on our cash flows, financial position 
and results of operations.  

Change  in  EU  Regulations  in  Relation  to  Employers  and Employee  Social  Insurance  Could 
Increase  Costs.  The  European Parliament passed legislation governing the  payment of employee and 
employer  social  insurance  costs  in  May  2012. The  legislation  was  introduced  in  late  June  2012. The 
legislation  governs  the  country  in  which  employees  and  employers  must  pay  social  insurance  costs. 
Prior to June 2012, Ryanair paid employee and employer social insurance in the country under whose 
laws the  employee‘s contract  of employment is  governed, which is either the U.K. or Ireland. Under 
the  terms of this  new  legislation, employees and employers  must pay social  insurance in the country 
where the employee is based. The legislation includes grandfathering rights which means that existing 
employees (i.e. those employed prior to the introduction of the new legislation in June 2012) should be 
exempt from the effects of this legislation for a period of 10 years up until 2022. However, both new 
and  existing  employees  who  transfer  from  their  present  base  location  to  a  new  base  in  another  EU 
country  may be impacted by the new rules in relation to employee and employer contributions. Each 
country  within  the  EU  has  different  rules  and  rates  in  relation  to  the  calculation  of  employee  and 
employer social insurance contributions. Ryanair estimates that the change in legislation will not have 
any initial material impact on its salary costs although it will have an adverse impact over time in the 
majority of jurisdictions in which Ryanair currently operates from. 

Ryanair  is  Subject  to  Tax  Audits.  The  Company  operates  in  many  jurisdictions  and  is,  from 
time  to  time,  subject  to  tax  audits,  which  by  their  nature  are  often  complex  and  can  require  several 
years to conclude. While the Company is of the view that it is tax compliant in the various jurisdictions 
in which it operates, there can be no guarantee, particularly in the current economic environment, that it 
will not receive tax assessments following the conclusion of the tax audits.  If assessed, the Company 
will  robustly  defend  its  position.    In  the  event  that  the  Company  is  unsuccessful  in  defending  its 
position,  it  is  possible  that  the  effective  tax  rate,  employment  and  other  costs  of  the  Company  could 
materially increase. See ―—The Irish Corporation Tax Rate Could Rise‖ above. 

Risks  Associated  with  the  Euro.  The  Company  is  headquartered  in  Ireland  and  its  reporting 
currency is the euro. As a result of  the ongoing uncertainty arising  from the Eurozone debt crisis,  in 
2012 there was widespread speculation regarding the future of the Eurozone, including with regard to 
Ireland, the country  in  which the  Company is headquartered.  Although  the economic environment in 
Ireland has considerably improved, there is still a risk of contagion spreading to the weaker Eurozone 
members.  To  date,  however,  there  have  been  no  exits  from  the  Eurozone.  Ryanair  predominantly 
operates to/from countries within the Eurozone and has significant operational and financial exposures 
to  the  Eurozone  that  could  result  in  a  reduction  in  the  operating  performance  of  Ryanair  or  the 
devaluation  of  certain  assets.  Ryanair  has  taken  certain  risk  management  measures  to  minimize  any 
disruptions, however these risk management measures may be insufficient.  

The Company has cash and aircraft assets and debt liabilities that are denominated in euro on 
its  balance  sheet.  In  addition,  the  positive/negative  mark-to-market  value  of  derivative-based 
transactions  are  recorded  in  euro  as  either  assets  or  liabilities  on  the  Company‘s  balance  sheet. 
Uncertainty regarding the future of the Eurozone could have a materially adverse effect on the value of 
these  assets  and  liabilities.  In  addition  to  the  assets  and  liabilities  on  Ryanair‘s  balance  sheet,  the 
Company has a number of cross currency risks as a result of the jurisdictions of the operating business 
including non-euro revenues, fuel costs, certain maintenance costs and insurance costs. A weakening in 
the value of the euro primarily against U.K. pound sterling and U.S. dollar, but also against other non-
Eurozone European currencies and Moroccan Dirhams, could negatively impact the operating results of 
the Company. 

Recession, austerity and uncertainty in connection with the euro could also mean that Ryanair 
is  unable  to  grow.  The  recent  European  recession  and  austerity  measures  still  in  effect  in  several 
European  countries  could  mean  that  Ryanair  may  be  unable  to  expand  its  operations  due  to  lack  of 
demand for air travel.  

56 

 
Risks Related to the Airline Industry 

The  Airline  Industry  Is  Particularly  Sensitive  to  Changes  in  Economic  Conditions:  A 
Continued  Recessionary  Environment  Would  Negatively  Impact  Ryanair’s  Result  of  Operations. 
Ryanair‘s  operations  and  the  airline  industry  in  general  are  sensitive  to  changes  in  economic 
conditions. Unfavorable economic conditions such as  government austerity  measures,  the  uncertainty 
relating to the Eurozone, high unemployment rates, constrained credit markets and increased business 
operating costs  could  lead to reduced spending by both leisure  and business passengers. Unfavorable 
economic  conditions,  such  as  the  conditions  persisting  as  of  the  date  hereof,  also  tend  to  impact 
Ryanair‘s  ability  to  raise  fares  to  counteract  increased  fuel  and  other  operating  costs.  A  continued 
recessionary  environment,  combined  with  austerity  measures  by  European  governments,  will  likely 
negatively  impact  Ryanair‘s  operating  results.  It  could  also  restrict  the  Company‘s  ability  to  grow 
passenger  volumes,  secure  new  airports  and  launch  new  routes  and  bases,  and  could  have  a  material 
adverse impact on its financial results. 

The  Introduction  of  Government  Taxes  on  Travel  Could  Damage  Ryanair’s  Ability  to  Grow 
and  Could  Have  a  Material  Adverse  Impact  on  Operations.  The  U.K.  government  levies  an  Air 
Passenger Duty (―APD‖) of £13 per passenger. The tax was previously set at £5 per passenger, but it 
was increased to £10 per passenger in 2007, £11 in 2009, £12 in 2010 and subsequently to £13 in April 
2012.    The  increase  in  this  tax  is  thought  to  have  had  a  negative  impact  on  Ryanair‘s  operating 
performance, both in terms of average fares paid and growth in passenger volumes. In 2008, the Dutch 
government introduced a travel tax ranging from €11 on short-haul flights to €45 on long-haul flights 
(withdrawn with effect from July 1, 2009). On March 30, 2009, the Irish government also introduced a 
€10 Air Travel Tax on all passengers departing from Irish airports on routes longer than 300 kilometers 
but subsequently reduced it to  €3 on March 30, 2011. On April 1, 2014 the tax imposed by the Irish 
government  was  abolished.  In  Germany,  the  government  introduced  an  air  passenger  tax  of  €8  in 
January 2011  which  was subsequently reduced to €7.50 in January 2012. In Austria, the government 
also introduced an ecological air travel levy of €8 in January 2011. The Moroccan government has also 
introduced a similar tax (equivalent to approximately €9) from April 2014. 

Other  governments  also  have  introduced  or  may  introduce  similar  taxes.  See  ―Item  4. 
Information on the Company—Airport Operations—Airport Charges.‖ The introduction of government 
taxes on travel has had a negative impact on passenger volumes, particularly given the current period of 
decreased  economic  activity.  The  introduction  of  further  government  taxes  on  travel  across  Europe 
could have a material negative impact on Ryanair‘s results of operations as a result of price-sensitive 
passengers being less likely to travel. 

EU Regulation on Passenger Compensation Could Significantly Increase Related Costs. EU 
Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 requires airlines to compensate passengers (holding a valid ticket) who 
have been denied boarding or whose flight has been cancelled or delayed more than 3 hours on arrival 
(even  where  the  reason  for  the  delay  or  cancellation  is  beyond  the  control  of  the  airline).  This 
legislation, which came into force on February 17, 2005, imposes fixed levels of compensation to be 
paid  to  passengers  in  the  event  of  the  situations  described  above.  In  November  2009,  the  Court  of 
Justice of the EU in the Sturgeon case decided that provisions of the legislation in relation to monetary 
compensation  are  not  only  applicable  to  denied  boarding  and  flight  cancellations  but  also  to  flight 
delays  (over  three  hours  on  arrival).  However,  such  provisions  do  not  apply  when  the  flight 
cancellation or delay (over three hours on arrival), is caused for reasons outside of the control of the 
airline  (extraordinary  circumstances)   such  as  unsafe  weather  conditions,  air-traffic  control 
strikes/delays,  unexpected  flight  safety  shortcomings,  sabotage,  aircraft  manufacturing  defects,  
security risks, political instability. A recent UK court case - Huzar vs. Jet2 heard in the UK Court of 
Appeal in May 2014 has narrowed the ‗extraordinary circumstances‘ defence, this case is currently on 
appeal to the UK Supreme Court and has a suspensory effect on all passenger claims brought in the UK 
in  relation  to  flight  delays  or  cancellations  caused  by  unexpected  flight  safety  shortcomings.  The 
regulation calls for compensation of  €250, €400, or €600 per passenger, depending on the length of the 
flight. As Ryanair‘s average flight length is less than 1,500 km – the upper limit for short-haul flights – 
the amount payable is generally €250 per passenger. Passengers subject to flight delays over 2 hours 
are  also  entitled  to  ―assistance,‖  including  meals,  drinks  and  telephone  calls,  as  well  as  hotel 
accommodations  if  the  delay  extends  overnight.  For  delays  of  over  five  hours,  the  airline  is  also 
required to offer the option of a refund of the cost of the unused ticket. There can be no assurance that 

57 

 
the  Company  will  not  incur  a  significant  increase  in  costs  in  the  future  due  to  the  impact  of  this 
legislation, if Ryanair experiences a large number of cancelled flights, which could occur as a result of 
certain types of events beyond its control. See ―—Risks Related to the Airline Industry—Volcanic Ash 
Emissions Could Affect the Company and Have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company‘s Results 
of Operations.‖  

 EU  Regulation  of  Emissions  Trading  Will  Increase  Costs.  On  November  19,  2008,  the 
European  Council  of  Ministers  adopted  legislation  to  add  aviation  to  the  EU  Emissions  Trading 
Scheme (―ETS‖) with effect from 2012. This scheme,  which has thus far applied mainly to industrial 
companies, is a cap-and-trade system for CO2 emissions to encourage industries to improve their CO2 
efficiency.  Under  the  legislation,  airlines  are  granted  initial  CO2  allowances  based  on  historical 
performance and a CO2 efficiency benchmark. Any shortage of allowances will have to be purchased in 
the  open  market  and/or  at  government  auctions.  The  cost  of  such  allowances  in  the  context  of  the 
Company‘s  energy  costs  are  not  material  at  current  market  prices.  There  can  be  no  assurance  that 
Ryanair  will be able to obtain  sufficient carbon credits or  that  the cost of the credits  will not have a 
material adverse effect on the Company‘s business, operating results, and financial condition. 

Volcanic Ash Emissions Could Affect the Company and Have a Material Adverse Effect on the 
Company’s Results of Operations. Between April 15 and April 20, 2010 and May 4 and May 17, 2010, 
a significant portion of the airspace over northern Europe was closed by authorities as a result of safety 
concerns  presented  by  emissions  of  ash  from  an  Icelandic  volcano.  This  closure  forced  Ryanair  to 
cancel  9,490  flights.  In  May  2011,  there  were  further  periodic  closures  of  parts  of  the  European 
airspace due to emissions of ash from another Icelandic volcano, which resulted in the cancellation of 
96 flights. 

Under  the  terms  of  Regulation  (EC)  No.  261/2004,  described  above,  Ryanair  has  certain 
duties  to  passengers  whose  flights  are  cancelled.  In  particular,  Ryanair  is  required  to  reimburse 
passengers  who  have  had  their  flights  cancelled  for  certain  reasonable,  documented  expenses  – 
primarily for accommodation and food.  

Volcanic emissions may happen again and could lead to further significant flight cancellation 
costs which could have a material adverse impact on the Company‘s financial condition and results of 
operations.  Furthermore,  volcanic  emissions  (whether  from  current  or  new  sources)  or  similar 
atmospheric  disturbances  and  resulting  cancellations  due  to  the  closure  of  airports  could  also  have  a 
material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company‘s  financial  performance  indirectly,  as  a  consequence  of 
changes in the public‘s willingness to travel within Europe due to the risk of flight disruptions. 

Any  Significant  Outbreak  of  any  Airborne  Disease  Could  Significantly  Damage  Ryanair’s 
Business. Worldwide, there has, from time to time, been substantial publicity in recent years regarding 
certain potent influenza viruses and other disease epidemics. Publicity of this type may have a negative 
impact on demand for air travel in Europe. Past outbreaks of  MERS, SARS, foot-and-mouth disease, 
avian  flu  and  swine  flu  have  adversely  impacted  the  travel  industries,  including  aviation,  in  certain 
regions of the world, including Europe. The Company believes that if any influenza or other pandemic 
becomes severe in Europe, its effect on demand for air travel in the markets in which Ryanair operates 
could be material, and it could therefore have a significantly adverse impact on the Company. A severe 
outbreak  of  swine  flu,  MERS,  SARS,  foot-and-mouth  disease,  avian  flu  or  another  pandemic  or 
livestock-related  disease  also  may  result  in  European  or  national  authorities  imposing  restrictions  on 
travel,  further  damaging  Ryanair‘s  business.  A  serious  pandemic  could  therefore  severely  disrupt 
Ryanair‘s business, resulting in the cancellation or loss of bookings, and adversely affecting Ryanair‘s 
financial condition and results of operations. 

The Company is Dependent on the Continued Acceptance of Low-fares Airlines. Ryanair has 
an excellent 30  year safety record.  In past  years,  however,  accidents or other  safety-related incidents 
involving  certain  low-fares  airlines  have  had  a  negative  impact  on  the  public‘s  acceptance  of  such 
airlines.  Any  adverse  event  potentially  relating  to  the  safety  or  reliability  of  low-fares  airlines 
(including  accidents  or  negative  reports  from  regulatory  authorities)  could  adversely  impact  the 
public‘s  perception  of,  and  confidence  in,  low-fares  airlines  like  Ryanair,  and  could  have  a  material 
adverse effect on Ryanair‘s financial condition and results of operations.  

58 

 
Terrorism in the United Kingdom or Elsewhere in Europe Could Have a Material Detrimental 
Effect  on  the  Company.  On  August  10,  2006,  U.K.  security  authorities  arrested  and  subsequently 
charged eight individuals in connection with an alleged plot to attack aircraft operating on transatlantic 
routes.  As  a  result  of  these  arrests,  U.K.  authorities  introduced  increased  security  measures,  which 
resulted in all passengers being body-searched, and a ban on the transportation in carry-on baggage of 
certain liquids and gels. The introduction of these  measures led to passengers suffering severe delays 
while  passing  through  these  airport  security  checks.  As  a  result,  Ryanair  cancelled  279 flights  in  the 
days  following  the  incident  and  refunded  a  total  of  €2.7  million  in  fares  to  approximately  40,000 
passengers. In the days following the arrests, Ryanair also suffered reductions in bookings estimated to 
have  resulted  in  the  loss  of  approximately  €1.9  million  of  additional  revenue.  As  in  the  past,  the 
Company reacted to these adverse events by initiating system-wide fare sales to stimulate demand for 
air travel. 

In addition, reservations on Ryanair‘s flights to  London dropped materially  for a  number of 
days  in  the  immediate  aftermath  of  the  terrorist  attacks  in  London  on  July  7,  2005.  Although  the 
terrorist attack in Glasgow on June 30, 2007 and the failed terrorist attacks in London on July 21, 2005 
and  June  29,  2007  had  no  material  impact  on  bookings,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  future  such 
attacks will not affect passenger traffic. In the  2014 fiscal year, 16.6 million passengers were booked 
on Ryanair‘s flights into and out of London, representing approximately 20.4% of the total passengers 
booked on all of the Company‘s flights in the fiscal year. Future acts of terrorism or significant terrorist 
threats, particularly in London or other markets that are significant to Ryanair, could have a material 
adverse effect on the Company‘s profitability or financial condition should the public‘s willingness to 
travel  to  and  from  those  markets  decline  as  a  result.  See  also  ―—The  2001  Terrorist  Attacks  on  the 
United States Had a Severe Negative Impact on the International Airline Industry‖ below. 

The  2001  Terrorist  Attacks  on  the  United  States  Had  a  Severe  Negative  Impact  on  the 
International  Airline  Industry.  The  terrorist  attacks  on  the  United  States  on  September  11,  2001,  in 
which four commercial aircraft were hijacked, had a severe negative impact on the international airline 
industry,  particularly  on  U.S.  carriers  and  carriers  operating  international  services  to  and  from  the 
United States. Although carriers such as Ryanair that operate primarily or exclusively in Europe were 
generally  spared  from  such  material  adverse  impacts  on  their  businesses,  the  cost  to  all  commercial 
airlines of insurance coverage for certain third-party liabilities arising from ―acts of war‖ or terrorism 
increased  dramatically  after  the  September  11  attacks.  See  ―Item  4.  Information  on  the  Company—
Insurance.‖ In addition, Ryanair‘s insurers have indicated that the scope of the Company‘s current ―act 
of war‖-related insurance may exclude certain types of catastrophic incidents, such as certain forms of 
biological,  chemical  or  ―dirty  bomb‖  attacks.  This  could  result  in  the  Company‘s  seeking  alternative 
coverage,  including  government  insurance  or  self-insurance,  which  could  lead  to  further  increases  in 
costs.  Although  Ryanair  to  date  has  included  increased  insurance  costs  in  the  ticket  price  charged  to 
passengers, there can be no assurance that it will continue to be successful in doing so. 

Because a substantial portion of airline travel (both business and personal) is discretionary and 
because Ryanair is substantially dependent on discretionary air travel, any prolonged general reduction 
in  airline  passenger  traffic  may  adversely  affect  the  Company.  Similarly,  any  significant  increase  in 
expenses  related  to  security,  insurance  or  related  costs  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the 
Company.  Any  further  terrorist  attacks  in  the  U.S.  or  in  Europe,  particularly  in  London  or  other 
markets  that  are  significant  to  Ryanair,  any  significant  military  actions  by  the  United  States  or  EU 
nations or any related economic downturn may have a material adverse effect on demand for air travel 
and thus on Ryanair‘s business, operating results, and financial condition. See also ―—Terrorism in the 
United Kingdom or Elsewhere in Europe Could have a Material Detrimental Effect on the Company.‖ 

59 

 
 
 
The  Company  Faces  the  Risk  of  Loss  and  Liability.  Ryanair  has  an  excellent  30  year  safety 
record, however, it is exposed to potential catastrophic losses that may be incurred in the event of an 
aircraft accident or terrorist incident.  Any such accident or incident could involve costs related to the 
repair  or  replacement  of  a  damaged  aircraft  and  its  consequent  temporary  or  permanent  loss  from 
service. In addition, an accident or incident could result in significant legal claims against the Company 
from  injured  passengers  and  others  who  experienced  injury  or  property  damage  as  a  result  of  the 
accident  or  incident,  including  ground  victims.  Ryanair  currently  maintains  passenger  liability 
insurance,  employer  liability  insurance,  aircraft  insurance  for  aircraft  loss  or  damage,  and  other 
business insurance in amounts per occurrence that are consistent with industry standards.  

Ryanair currently believes its insurance coverage is adequate  (although  not comprehensive). 
However,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  the  amount  of  insurance  coverage  will  not  need  to  be 
increased, that insurance premiums will not increase significantly, or that Ryanair will not be forced to 
bear  substantial  losses  from  any  accidents  not  covered  by  its  insurance.  Airline  insurance  costs 
increased dramatically following the September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. See ―—The 
2001 Terrorist Attacks on the United States Had a Severe Negative Impact on the International Airline 
Industry‖ above. Substantial claims resulting from an accident in excess of related insurance coverage 
could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company‘s  results  of  operations  and  financial condition. 
Moreover, any aircraft accident, even if fully insured, could lead to the public perception that Ryanair‘s 
aircraft  were  less  safe  or  reliable  than  those  operated  by  other  airlines,  which  could  have  a  material 
adverse effect on Ryanair‘s business. 

EU  Regulation  No.  2027/97,  as  amended  by  Regulation  No.  889/2002,  governs  air  carrier 
liability.  See  ―Item  4.  Information  on  the  Company—Insurance‖  for  details  of  this  regulation.  This 
regulation increased the potential liability exposure of air carriers  such as Ryanair. Although Ryanair 
has  extended  its  liability  insurance  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  regulation,  no  assurance  can  be 
given that other laws, regulations, or policies will not be applied, modified or amended in a manner that 
has a material adverse effect on Ryanair‘s business, operating results, and financial condition. 

Airline Industry Margins are Subject to Significant Uncertainty. The airline industry is capital 
intensive and is characterized by high fixed costs and by revenues that generally exhibit substantially 
greater  elasticity  than  costs.  Although  fuel  accounted  for  approximately  46%  of  total  operating 
expenses in the 2014 fiscal year, management anticipates that this percentage may vary significantly in 
future  years. See  ―—Changes in Fuel  Costs and  Fuel  Availability  Affect the  Company‘s Results and 
Increase the Likelihood of Adverse Impact on the Company‘s Profitability‖ above. The operating costs 
of each flight do not vary significantly with the number of passengers flown, and therefore, a relatively 
small  change  in  the  number  of  passengers,  fare  pricing,  or  traffic  mix  could  have  a  disproportionate 
effect  on  operating  and  financial  results.  Accordingly,  a  relatively  minor  shortfall  from  expected 
revenue levels could have a material adverse effect on the Company‘s growth or financial performance. 
See ―Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.‖ The very low marginal costs incurred for 
providing  services  to  passengers  occupying  otherwise  unsold  seats  are  also  a  factor  in  the  industry‘s 
high  susceptibility  to  price  discounting.  See  ―Risks  Related  to  the  Company—The  Company  Faces 
Significant Price and Other Pressures in a Highly Competitive Environment‖ above. 

 Safety-Related  Undertakings  Could  Affect  the  Company’s  Results.  Aviation  authorities  in 
Europe  and  the  United  States  periodically  require  or  suggest  that  airlines  implement  certain  safety-
related  procedures  on  their  aircraft.  In  recent  years,  the  U.S.  Federal  Aviation  Administration  (the 
―FAA‖) has required a number of such procedures  with regard to Boeing 737-800 aircraft,  including 
checks  of  rear  pressure  bulkheads  and  flight  control  modules,  redesign  of  the  rudder  control  system, 
and  limitations  on  certain  operating  procedures.  Ryanair‘s  policy  is  to  implement  any  such  required 
procedures  in  accordance  with  FAA  guidance  and  to  perform  such  procedures  in  close  collaboration 
with  Boeing.  To  date,  all  such  procedures  have  been  conducted  as  part  of  Ryanair‘s  standard 
maintenance programme and have not interrupted flight schedules nor required any material increases 
in  Ryanair‘s  maintenance  expenses.  However,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  the  FAA  or  other 
regulatory  authorities  will  not  recommend  or  require  other  safety-related  undertakings  or  that  such 
undertakings would not adversely impact Ryanair‘s operating results or financial condition.  

60 

 
 
 
There also can be no assurance that new regulations will not be implemented in the future that 
would apply to Ryanair‘s aircraft and result in an increase  in Ryanair‘s cost of  maintenance or other 
costs  beyond  management‘s  current  estimates.  In  addition,  should  Ryanair‘s  aircraft  cease  to  be 
sufficiently  reliable  or  should  any  public  perception  develop  that  Ryanair‘s  aircraft  are  less  than 
completely reliable, Ryanair‘s business could be materially adversely affected.  

Risks Related to Ownership of the Company’s Ordinary Shares or ADRs 

EU  Rules  Impose  Restrictions  on  the  Ownership  of  Ryanair  Holdings’  Ordinary  Shares  by 
Non-EU  Nationals,  and  the  Company  Has  Instituted  a  Ban  on  the  Purchase  of  Ordinary  Shares  by 
Non-EU  Nationals.  EU  Regulation  No.  1008/2008  requires  that,  in  order  to  obtain  and  retain  an 
operating license, an EU air carrier must be majority-owned and effectively controlled by EU nationals. 
The regulation does not specify what level of share ownership will confer effective control on a holder 
or  holders  of  Ordinary  Shares.  The  Board  of  Directors  of  Ryanair  Holdings  is  given  certain  powers 
under Ryanair Holdings‘ articles of association (the ―Articles‖) to take action to ensure that the number 
of Ordinary Shares held in Ryanair Holdings by non-EU nationals (―Affected Shares‖) does not reach a 
level that could jeopardize the Company‘s entitlement to continue to hold or enjoy the benefit of any 
license, permit, consent, or privilege which it holds or enjoys and which enables it to carry on business 
as an air carrier. The  directors, from time to time, set a  ―Permitted Maximum‖ on the number of the 
Company‘s Ordinary Shares that may be owned by non-EU nationals at such level as they believe will 
comply  with  EU  law.  The  Permitted  Maximum  is  currently  set  at  49.9%.  In  addition,  under  certain 
circumstances,  the  directors  can  take  action  to  safeguard  the  Company‘s  ability  to  operate  by 
identifying  those  Ordinary  Shares,  American  Depositary  Shares  (―ADSs‖)  or  Affected  Shares  which 
give rise to the need to take action and treat such Ordinary Shares, the American Depositary Receipts 
(―ADRs‖) evidencing such ADSs, or Affected Shares as ―Restricted Shares.‖ The  Board of Directors 
may, under certain circumstances, deprive holders of Restricted Shares of their rights to attend, vote at, 
and speak at general meetings, and/or require such  holders to dispose of their Restricted Shares to an 
EU  national  within  as  little  as  21  days.  The  directors  are  also  given  the  power  to  transfer  such 
Restricted Shares themselves if a holder fails to comply. In 2002, the Company implemented measures 
to  restrict  the  ability  of  non-EU  nationals  to  purchase  Ordinary  Shares,  and  non-EU  nationals  are 
currently effectively barred from purchasing Ordinary Shares, and will remain so for as long as these 
restrictions  remain  in  place.  There  can  be  no  assurance  that  these  restrictions  will  ever  be  lifted. 
Additionally,  these  foreign  ownership  restrictions  could  result  in  Ryanair‘s  exclusion  from  certain 
stock  tracking  indices.  Any  such  exclusion  may  adversely  affect  the  market  price  of  the  Ordinary 
Shares and ADRs. On April 19, 2012, the Company obtained shareholder approval to repurchase ADRs 
as  part  of  its  general  authority  to  repurchase  up  to  5%  of  the  issued  share  capital  in  the  Company. 
During  fiscal  2014,  the  Company  repurchased  6,018,800  ADRs  equivalent  to  30,094,000  ordinary 
shares at a price of $49.01 per ADR, equivalent to approximately €7.41 per ordinary share. See ―Item 
10.  Additional  Information—Limitations  on  Share  Ownership  by  Non-EU  Nationals‖  for  a  detailed 
discussion  of  restrictions  on  share  ownership  and  the  current  ban  on  share  purchases  by  non-EU 
nationals.  

As  of  June  30,  2014,  EU  nationals  owned  at  least  52.8%  of  Ryanair  Holdings‘  Ordinary 

Shares (assuming conversion of all outstanding ADRs into Ordinary Shares).  

Holders  of  Ordinary  Shares  are  Currently  Unable  to  Convert  those  Shares  into  American 
Depositary Receipts. In an effort to increase the percentage of its share capital held by EU nationals, on 
June 26, 2001, Ryanair Holdings instructed The Bank of New York Mellon, the depositary for its ADR 
program  (the  ―Depositary‖),  to  suspend  the  issuance  of  new  ADRs  in  exchange  for  the  deposit  of 
Ordinary Shares until further notice. Holders of Ordinary Shares cannot convert their Ordinary Shares 
into ADRs during this suspension, and there can be no assurance that the suspension will ever be lifted. 
See also ―—EU Rules Impose Restrictions on the Ownership of Ryanair Holdings‘ Ordinary Shares by 
Non-EU nationals and the Company has Instituted a Ban on the Purchase of Ordinary Shares by Non-
EU Nationals‖ above. 

61 

 
 
 
The Company’s Results of Operations May Fluctuate Significantly. The Company‘s results of 
operations have varied significantly from quarter to quarter, and management expects these variations 
to  continue.  See  ―Item  5.  Operating  and  Financial  Review  and  Prospects—Seasonal  Fluctuations.‖ 
Among  the  factors  causing  these  variations  are  the  airline  industry‘s  sensitivity  to  general  economic 
conditions, the seasonal nature of air travel, and trends in airlines‘ costs, especially fuel costs. Because 
a substantial portion of airline travel (both business and personal) is discretionary, the industry tends to 
experience adverse financial results during general economic downturns. The Company is substantially 
dependent on discretionary air travel.  

The  trading  price  of  Ryanair  Holdings‘  Ordinary  Shares  and  ADRs  may  be  subject  to  wide 
fluctuations  in  response  to  quarterly  variations  in  the  Company‘s  operating  results  and  the  operating 
results  of  other  airlines.  In  addition,  the  global  stock  markets  from  time  to  time  experience  extreme 
price  and  volume  fluctuations  that  affect  the  market  prices  of  many  airline  company  stocks.  These 
broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Ordinary Shares and ADRs. 

Ryanair  Holdings  May  or  May  Not  Pay  Dividends.  Since  its  incorporation  as  the  holding 
company  for Ryanair in 1996, Ryanair Holdings  has  only  occasionally declared  special  dividends on 
both  its  Ordinary  Shares  and  ADRs.  The  directors  of  the  Company  declared  on  June  1,  2010  that 
Ryanair  Holdings  intended  to  pay  a  special  dividend  of  approximately  €500  million,  and  following 
shareholder  approval  at  its  annual  general  meeting  on  September  22,  2010  this  special  dividend  was 
paid  on  October  1,  2010.  Directors  of  the  Company  also  declared  on  May  21,  2012  that  Ryanair 
Holdings  intended  to  pay  a  special  dividend  of  €0.34  per  ordinary  share  (approx.  €492  million)  and 
following  shareholder  approval  at  the  annual  general  meeting  on  September  21,  2012  this  special 
dividend was paid on November 30, 2012. The Company may pay other dividends from time to time. 
In June 2013, the Company detailed plans to return up to €1 billion to shareholders over the next two 
years. The Company completed €481.7 million in share buybacks in the fiscal year 2014 (including just 
over 6.0 million ADR buybacks) and indicated on May 19, 2014 that it plans to pay a special dividend 
of  up  to  approximately  €520  million  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  year  2015,  subject  to  shareholder 
approval  at  its  annual  general  meeting  on  September  25,  2014.  The  Company  has  made  no  further 
commitments  in  relation  to  the  payment  of  dividends,  share  buybacks  or  other  shareholder 
distributions. See ―Item 8. Financial Information—Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.‖ As 
a  holding  company,  Ryanair  Holdings  does  not  have  any  material  assets  other  than  the  shares  of 
Ryanair. 

Increased  Costs  for  Possible  Future  ADR  and  Share  Repurchases.  In  April  2012,  the 
Company  held  an  extraordinary  general  meeting  (―EGM‖)  to  authorize  the  directors  to  repurchase 
Ordinary  Shares  and  ADRs  for  up  to  5%  of  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  traded  on  the 
NASDAQ  Stock  Market  (―NASDAQ‖).    Up  until  April  2012,  shareholders  had  only  authorized  the 
directors  to  repurchase  Ordinary  Shares.  As  the  ADRs  typically  trade  at  a  premium  of  15%  to  20% 
compared to Ordinary Shares, this may result in increased costs in performing share buy-backs in the 
future. In fiscal 2014, the Company bought back 6,018,800 ADRs for cancellation, which is equivalent 
to  30,094,000  Ordinary  Shares,  as  part  of  its  overall  share  buyback  during  fiscal  year  2014  of  69.5 
million  Ordinary  Shares.  On  June  20,  2013  the  Company  detailed  plans  to  return  up  to  €1  billion  to 
shareholders over the next two years. The Company completed €481.7 million in share buybacks in the 
fiscal year 2014. On May 19, 2014 the Company indicated that it plans to pay a special dividend of up 
to approximately €520 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015, subject to shareholder approval 
at  its  annual  general  meeting  on  September  25,  2014.  However,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  such 
amount will be returned to shareholders, as the Company‘s plans are subject to shareholder approval, 
its  continuing  profitability,  and  the  economic  environment,  as  well  as  its  obligations  for  capital 
expenditures and other commitments. The Company  has  made no further commitments in relation to 
the payment of dividends, share buybacks or other shareholder distributions. 

62 

 
 
 
Item 4. Information on the Company 

INTRODUCTION 

Ryanair  Holdings  was  incorporated  in  1996  as  a  holding  company  for  Ryanair  Limited.  The  latter 
operates an ultra-low cost, scheduled-passenger airline serving short-haul, point-to-point routes between Ireland, 
the  U.K.,  Continental  Europe,  and  Morocco.  Incorporated  on  November  28,  1984,  Ryanair  Limited  began  to 
introduce a low-fares operating model under a new management team in the early 1990s. See ―Item 5. Operating 
and  Financial  Review  and  ProspectsHistory.‖  As  of  June  30,  2014,  Ryanair  had  a  principal  fleet  of  297 
Boeing 737-800 aircraft and 5 additional leased aircraft acquired on short term leases for the summer of 2014 to 
provide  extra  capacity,  Ryanair  Limited  offered  over  1,600  scheduled  short-haul  flights  per  day  serving 
approximately  186  airports  largely  throughout  Europe.  See  ―Route  System,  Scheduling  and  FaresRoute 
System  and  Scheduling‖  for  more  details  of  Ryanair‘s  route  network.  See  ―Item  5.  Operating  and  Financial 
Review and ProspectsSeasonal Fluctuations‖ for information about the seasonality of Ryanair‘s business.  

Ryanair recorded a profit on ordinary activities after taxation of €522.8 million in the 2014 fiscal year, 
as  compared  to  a  profit  on  ordinary  activities  after  taxation  of  €569.3  million  in  the  2013  fiscal  year.  This 
decrease of approximately 8% was primarily attributable to an increase in fuel costs of approximately 7% from 
€1,885.6  million  to  €2,013.1  million,  and  a  reduction  of  approximately  4%  in  average  fares,  offset  by  strong 
ancillary revenues growth and increased traffic. Ryanair generated an average booked passenger load factor of 
approximately  83%  in  fiscal  2014,  compared  to  82%  in  fiscal  2013,  and  average  booked  passenger  fare  of 
€46.40  per  passenger  in  the  2014  fiscal  year,  down  from  €48.20  in  the  prior  fiscal  year.  The  Company  has 
focused  on  maintaining  low  operating  costs  (€53.61  per  passenger  in  the  2014  fiscal  year,  an  increase  from 
€52.56 in fiscal 2013). 

The market‘s acceptance of Ryanair‘s low-fares service is reflected in the ―Ryanair Effect‖ – Ryanair‘s 
history of stimulating significant annual passenger traffic growth on the new routes on which it has commenced 
service  since  1991.  For  example,  on  the  basis  of  the  ―U.K.  Airports  Annual  Statement  of  Movements, 
Passengers  and  Cargo‖  published  by  the  U.K.  Civil  Aviation  Authority  and  statistics  released  by  the 
International  Civil  Aviation  Organization  (the  ―ICAO‖),  the  number  of  scheduled  airline  passengers  traveling 
between  Dublin  and  London  increased  from  1.7  million  passengers  in  1991  to  3.9  million  passengers  in  the 
2013 calendar year. Most international routes Ryanair has begun serving since 1991 have recorded significant 
traffic growth in the period following Ryanair‘s commencement of service, with Ryanair capturing the largest 
portion  of  such  growth  on  each  such  route.  A  variety  of  factors  contributed  to  this  increase  in  air  passenger 
traffic,  including  the  relative  strength  of  the  Irish,  U.K.,  and  European  economies  in  past  years.  However, 
management believes that the most significant factors driving such growth across all its European routes have 
been Ryanair‘s low-fares policy and its superiority to its competitors in terms of flight punctuality, levels of lost 
baggage, and rates of flight cancellations. 

The  address  of  Ryanair  Holdings‘  registered  office  is:  c/o  Ryanair  Limited,  Corporate  Head  Office, 
Airside Business Park, Swords, County Dublin, Ireland. The Company‘s contact person regarding this Annual 
Report on Form 20-F is: Howard Millar, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer (same address as 
above).  The  telephone  number  is  +353-1-945-1212  and  the  facsimile  number  is  +353-1-945-1213.  Under  its 
current Articles, Ryanair Holdings has an unlimited corporate duration. 

63 

 
 
 
STRATEGY 

Ryanair‘s objective is to firmly establish itself as Europe‘s biggest scheduled passenger airline, through 
continued  improvements  and  expanded  offerings  of  its  low-fares  service.  In  the  highly  challenging  current 
operating  environment,  Ryanair  seeks  to  offer  low  fares  that  generate  increased  passenger  traffic  while 
maintaining a continuous focus on cost-containment and operating efficiencies. The key elements of Ryanair‘s 
long-term strategy are: 

Low  Fares.  Ryanair‘s  low  fares  are  designed  to  stimulate  demand,  particularly  from  fare-conscious 
leisure and business travelers who might otherwise use alternative forms of transportation or choose not to travel 
at all. Ryanair sells  seats on  a one-way basis, thus eliminating  minimum  stay requirements from all travel on 
Ryanair scheduled services. Ryanair sets fares on the basis of the demand for particular flights and by reference 
to the period remaining to the date of departure of the flight, with higher fares typically charged on flights with 
higher levels of demand and for bookings made nearer  to the date of departure. Ryanair also periodically runs 
special promotional fare campaigns. See ―—Route System, Scheduling and Fares—Low and Widely Available 
Fares‖ below.  

Customer  Service.  Ryanair‘s  strategy  is  to  deliver  the  best  customer  service  performance  in  its  peer 
group. According to the data  available  from the  Association of European  Airlines (―AEA‖) and airlines‘ own 
published  statistics,  Ryanair  has  achieved  better  punctuality,  fewer  lost  bags,  and  fewer  cancellations  than  its 
peer  group  in  Europe.  Ryanair  achieves  this  by  focusing  strongly  on  the  execution  of  these  services  and  by 
primarily operating from un-congested airports. Ryanair conducts a daily conference call with airport personnel 
at  each  of  its  base  airports,  during  which  the  reasons  for  each  ―first  wave‖  flight  delay  and  baggage  short-
shipment are discussed in detail and logged to ensure that the root cause is identified and rectified. Subsequent 
(consequential) delays and short shipments are investigated by Ryanair ground operations personnel. Customer 
satisfaction is also measured by regular online, mystery-passenger and by passenger surveys. 

Ryanair is implementing a series of strategic initiatives that are expected to have a significant impact 
on its customer service offering. Ryanair has also announced and introduced a series of customer-service related 
initiatives, including a new, easier-to-navigate website with a fare finder facility, reduced penalty fees, allocated 
seating and more customer-friendly baggage allowances and change policies. Further, these initiatives include 
scheduling  more  flights  to  primary  airports,  selling  flights  via  travel  agents  on  GDS,  increasing  marketing 
spending significantly to support these initiatives, and adjusting the airline‘s yield management strategy with the 
goal of increasing load factors and yield.  

Frequent  Point-to-Point  Flights  on  Short-Haul  Routes.  Ryanair  provides  frequent  point-to-point 
service  on short-haul routes to secondary, regional, and  more recently, certain primary  airports in and around 
major population centers and travel destinations. In the 2014 fiscal year, Ryanair flew an average route length of 
788 miles and an average flight duration of approximately 1.87 hours. Short-haul routes allow Ryanair to offer 
its low fares and frequent service, while eliminating the need to provide unnecessary ―frills,‖ like  free in-flight 
meals and movies, otherwise expected by customers on longer flights. Point-to-point flying (as opposed to hub-
and-spoke  service)  allows  Ryanair  to  offer  direct,  non-stop  routes  and  avoid  the  costs  of  providing  ―through 
service,‖ for connecting passengers, including baggage transfer and transit passenger assistance.  

In  choosing  its  routes,  Ryanair  primarily  favors  secondary  airports  with  convenient  transportation  to 
major population centers and regional airports. Secondary and regional airports are generally less congested than 
major airports and, as a result, can be expected to provide higher rates of on-time departures, faster turnaround 
times  (the  time  an  aircraft  spends  at  a  gate  loading  and  unloading  passengers),  fewer  terminal  delays,  more 
competitive airport access, and lower handling costs. As part of its strategic initiatives, Ryanair plans to increase 
the  number of primary airports that it serves, focussing particularly on those that facilitate a quick turnaround 
and  offer  opportunities  for  the  Company  to  profitably  enhance  its  route  choice  by  adding  city  pairs  that  are 
attractive to both business and leisure customers alike. Ryanair‘s ―on time‖ performance record (arrivals within 
15  minutes  of  schedule)  for  the  2014  fiscal  year  was  92%.  Faster  turnaround  times  are  a  key  element  in 
Ryanair‘s  efforts  to  maximize  aircraft  utilization.  Ryanair‘s  average  scheduled  turnaround  time  for  the  2014 
fiscal year was approximately 25 minutes. 

64 

 
 
 
Low Operating Costs. Management believes that Ryanair‘s operating costs are among the lowest of any 
European  scheduled-passenger  airline.  Ryanair  strives  to  reduce  or  control  four  of  the  primary  expenses 
involved in running a  major scheduled airline: (i) aircraft  equipment costs; (ii)  personnel costs; (iii) customer 
service costs; and (iv) airport access and handling costs:  

Aircraft  Equipment  Costs.  Ryanair‘s  primary  strategy  for  controlling  aircraft  acquisition  costs  is 
focused on operating a single aircraft type. Ryanair currently operates only ―next generation‖ Boeing 
737-800s.  Ryanair‘s  continuous  acquisition  of  new  Boeing  737-800s  has  already  and  is  expected, 
through the end of fiscal 2019, to increase the size of its fleet and thus increase its aircraft equipment 
and related costs (on an aggregate basis). However, the purchase of aircraft from a single manufacturer 
enables  Ryanair  to  limit  the  costs  associated  with  personnel  training,  maintenance,  and  the  purchase 
and  storage  of  spare  parts  while  also  affording  the  Company  greater  flexibility  in  the  scheduling  of 
crews and equipment. Management also believes that the terms of Ryanair‘s contracts with Boeing are 
very favorable to Ryanair. See ―Aircraft‖ below for additional information on Ryanair‘s fleet. 

Personnel  Costs.  Ryanair  endeavors  to  control  its  labor  costs  by  seeking  to  continually  improve  the 
productivity  of  its  already  highly  productive  work  force.  Compensation  for  personnel  emphasizes 
productivity-based pay incentives. These incentives include sales bonus payments for onboard sales of 
products for  flight attendants  and payments based on  the number of  hours or sectors  flown by pilots 
and  flight  attendants  within  limits  set  by  industry  standards  or  regulations  fixing  maximum  working 
hours.  

Customer  Service  Costs.  Ryanair  has  entered  into  agreements  on  competitive  terms  with  external 
contractors  at  certain  airports  for  ticketing,  passenger  and  aircraft  handling,  and  other  services  that 
management believes can be more cost-efficiently provided by third parties. Management attempts to 
obtain  competitive  rates  for  such  services  by  negotiating  fixed-price,  multi-year  contracts.  The 
development  of  its  own  Internet  booking  facility  has  allowed  Ryanair  to  eliminate  travel  agent 
commissions.  As  part  of  its  strategic  initiatives,  the  Company  has  broadened  its  distribution  base  by 
making  Ryanair‘s  fares  available  to  Travelport  (Galileo  and  Worldspan)  at  nominal  cost  to  the 
Company. Ryanair generates over 99% of its scheduled passenger revenues through direct sales via its 
website. 

Airport Access and Handling Costs. Ryanair attempts to control airport access and service charges by 
focusing  on  airports  that  offer  competitive  prices.  Management  believes  that  Ryanair‘s  record  of 
delivering  a  consistently  high  volume  of  passenger  traffic  growth  at  many  airports  has  allowed  it  to 
negotiate favorable contracts with such airports for access to their facilities, although the recent change 
in strategy by the Company may see it access some more primary airports, which typically have higher 
airport  charges  and  greater  competition  along  with  slot  limitations.  Secondary  and  regional  airports 
also generally do not have slot requirements or other operating restrictions that can increase operating 
expenses and limit the number of allowed take-offs and landings. Ryanair further endeavors to reduce 
its  airport  charges  by  opting,  when  practicable,  for  less  expensive  gate  locations  as  well  as  outdoor 
boarding stairs, rather than jetways, which are more expensive and operationally less efficient to use. In 
addition,  since  October  2009,  Ryanair  has  required  all  passengers  to  check-in  on  the  Internet.  This 
requirement  was  instituted  to  reduce  waiting  times  at  airports  and  speed  a  passenger‘s  journey  from 
arrival at the airport to boarding, as well as significantly reduce airport handling costs. Ryanair has also 
introduced a checked-bag fee, which is payable on the Internet at the time of booking and is aimed at 
reducing the number of bags carried by passengers in order to further reduce handling costs. See ―Risk 
Factors—Risks  Related  to  the  Company—The  Company  Faces  Risks  Related  to  its  Internet 
Reservations Operations and its Announced Elimination of Airport Check-in Facilities.‖ 

65 

 
 
 
Taking  Advantage  of  the  Internet.  In  2000,  Ryanair  converted  its  host  reservation  system  to  a  new 
system,  which  it  operates  under  a  hosting  agreement  with  Navitaire  that  was  extended  in  2011  and  will 
terminate  in  2020.  As  part  of  the  implementation  of  the  reservation  system,  Navitaire  developed  an  Internet 
booking facility. The Ryanair system allows Internet users to access its host reservation system and to make and 
pay  for confirmed reservations in real  time  through the  Ryanair.com  website.  After the launch of the Internet 
reservation system, Ryanair heavily promoted its website through newspaper, radio and television advertising. 
As a result, Internet bookings grew rapidly, and have accounted for over  99% of all reservations over the past 
several years. In May 2012, Ryanair further upgraded the reservation system, which offers more flexibility for 
future system enhancements and to accommodate the future growth of Ryanair. In November 2013, Ryanair re-
launched  its  website  in  a  new,  easier  to  use,  format  that  reduced  the  booking  process  from  17  to  5  ―clicks‖. 
Various other initiatives were also introduced, including a fare finder facility which enables customers to easily 
find  the  lowest  fares.  The  new  ―My  Ryanair‖  registration  services,  which  allows  customers  to  securely  store 
their personal and payment details, has also significantly quickened the booking process and made it easier for 
customers to book a flight. The Company also launched a new mobile app on July 15, 2014, which will make it 
simpler and easier for customers to book Ryanair flights. 

Commitment  to  Safety  and  Quality  Maintenance.  Safety  is  the  primary  priority  of  Ryanair  and  its 
management.  This  commitment  begins  with  the  hiring  and  training  of  Ryanair‘s  pilots,  flight  attendants,  and 
maintenance personnel and includes a policy of maintaining its aircraft in accordance with the highest European 
airline industry standards. Ryanair has not had a single passenger or flight crew fatality as a result of an accident 
with one of its aircraft  in its  30-year operating history. Although Ryanair seeks to maintain its fleet in a cost-
effective  manner,  management  does  not  seek  to  extend  Ryanair‘s  low-cost  operating  strategy  to  the  areas  of 
safety,  maintenance,  training  or  quality  assurance.  Routine  aircraft  maintenance  and  repair  services  are 
performed  primarily  by  Ryanair,  at  Ryanair‘s  main  bases,  but  are  also  performed  at  other  base  airports  by 
maintenance contractors approved under the terms of  a European Aviation Safety Agency (―EASA‖)  Part 145 
approval. Ryanair currently performs heavy airframe maintenance, but contracts with other parties who perform 
engine  overhaul  services  and  rotable  repairs.  These  contractors  also  provide  similar  services  to  a  number  of 
other airlines, including Southwest Airlines, British Airways, Air France and Alitalia.  

Enhancement  of  Operating  Results  through  Ancillary  Services.  Ryanair  distributes  accommodation 
services  and  travel  insurance  primarily  through  its  website.  For  hotel  services,  Ryanair  has  a  contract  with 
Hotelscombined  PTY  Ltd,  and  they  provide  a  hotel  comparison  website  to  Ryanair  which  generates 
commissions for Ryanair on the number of bookings  made. Ryanair also has a contract with Bookings.com to 
market  hotels  during  the  website  booking  process.  In  addition,  Ryanair  has  a  contract  with  the  Hertz 
Corporation  (―Hertz‖),  pursuant  to  which  Hertz  handles  all  car  rental  services  marketed  through  Ryanair‘s 
website  or  telephone  reservation  system.  Ryanair  also  sells  bus  and  some  rail  tickets  onboard  its  aircraft  and 
through its website. For the 2014 fiscal year, ancillary services accounted for approximately 25% of Ryanair‘s 
total operating revenues, as compared to approximately 22% of such revenues in the 2013 fiscal year. See ―—
Ancillary  Services‖  below  and  ―Item  5.  Operating  and  Financial  Review  and  Prospects—Results  of 
Operations—Fiscal  Year  2014  Compared  with  Fiscal  Year  2013—Ancillary  Revenues‖  for  additional 
information. 

Focused Criteria for Growth. Building on its success in the Ireland-U.K. market and its expansion of 
service  to  continental  Europe  and  Morocco,  Ryanair  intends  to  follow  a  manageable  growth  plan  targeting 
specific markets. Ryanair believes it will have opportunities for continued growth by:  (i) using aggressive fare 
promotions to increase load factors; (ii) initiating additional routes in the EU; (iii) initiating additional routes in 
countries party to a European Common  Aviation  Agreement  with the EU that are currently  served by  higher-
cost,  higher-fare  carriers;  (iv)  increasing  the  frequency  of  service  on  its  existing  routes;  (v)  starting  new 
domestic  routes  within  individual  EU  countries;  (vi)  considering  acquisition  opportunities  that  may  become 
available  in  the  future;  (vii)  connecting  airports  within  its  existing  route  network  (―triangulation‖);  (viii) 
establishing new bases; and (ix) initiating new routes not currently served by any carrier. 

66 

 
 
 
Responding to Current Challenges. In recent periods, and with increased effect in the 2012, 2013 and 
2014  fiscal  years,  Ryanair‘s  low-fares  business  model  has  faced  substantial  pressure  due  to  significantly 
increased fuel costs and reduced economic growth (or economic contraction) in some of the economies in which 
it operates. The Company has aimed to meet these challenges by: (i) grounding (approximately 70 in fiscal 2014 
and 80 in fiscal 2013) aircraft during the winter season; (ii) disposing of aircraft (lease hand backs totaled four 
in  the  2013  fiscal  year  and  eight  in  the  2014  fiscal  year);  (iii)  controlling  labor  and  other  costs,  including 
through  wage  freezes  for non-flight crew personnel in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2013, selective redundancies and 
the  introduction  of  Internet  check-in  in  fiscal  2010;  and  (iv)  renegotiating  contracts  with  existing  suppliers, 
airports and handling companies. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in achieving 
all of the foregoing or taking other similar measures, or that doing so will allow the Company to earn profits in 
any  period.  See  ―Item  3.  Key  Information—Risk  Factors—Risks  Related  to  the  Company—Changes  in  Fuel 
Costs and Fuel Availability Affect the Company‘s Results and Increase the Likelihood of Adverse Impact to the 
Company‘s  Profitability‖  and  ―—The  Company  May  Not  Be  Successful  in  Increasing  Fares  and  Revenues  to 
Cover Rising Business Costs.‖ 

In  recent  years,  in  response  to  an  operating  environment  characterized  by  high  fuel  prices,  typically 
lower  seasonal  yields  and  higher  airport  charges  and/or  taxes,  Ryanair  has  adopted  a  policy  of  grounding  a 
certain portion of its fleet during the winter months (from November to March inclusive). In the winter months 
of  fiscal  2014,  Ryanair  grounded  approximately  70  aircraft  and  the  Company  announced  in  May  2014  that  it 
intends to ground approximately 50 aircraft during the winter months of fiscal 2015. While seasonal grounding 
does reduce the Company‘s operating costs, it also decreases Ryanair‘s potential to record both flight and non-
flight revenues. Decreasing the number and frequency of flights may also negatively affect the Company‘s labor 
relations, including its ability to attract  flight  personnel interested in  full-time  employment.  See  ―Item 3. Key 
Information—Risk Factors—Ryanair has Decided to Seasonally Ground Aircraft.‖ 

67 

 
 
 
ROUTE SYSTEM, SCHEDULING AND FARES 

Route System and Scheduling 

As  of  July  25,  2014,  the  Company  offered  over  1,600  scheduled  short-haul  flights  per  day  serving 
approximately  186  airports  largely  throughout  Europe,  and  flying  approximately  1,600  routes.  The  following 
table lists Ryanair‘s operating bases:   

Alghero 
Alicante 
Athens 
Baden-Baden 
Barcelona (Girona) 
Barcelona (El Prat) 
Bari 
Billund 
Bologna 
Bournemouth 
Birmingham 
Bremen 
Brindisi 
Bristol 
Brussels (Charleroi) 
Brussels (Zaventem) 
Budapest 
Cagliari 
Catania 
Chania 
Cologne (a) 
Cork 
Dublin 

Operating Bases 

Dusseldorf (Weeze) 
East Midlands 
Edinburgh 
Eindhoven 
Faro 
Fez 
Frankfurt (Hahn) 
Gdansk (a) 
Glasgow (Prestwick) 
Glasgow International (b) 
Gran Canaria 
Kaunas 
Krakow 
Lamezia 
Lanzarote 
Leeds Bradford 
Lisbon 
Liverpool 
London (Luton) 
London (Stansted) 
Madrid 
Malaga 
Malta 

Manchester 
Marrakech 
Marseilles 
Milan (Bergamo) 
Palermo 
Palma Mallorca 
Paphos 
Pescara 
Pisa 
Porto 
Oslo (Rygge) 
Rome (Ciampino) 
Rome (Fiumicino) 
Seville 
Shannon 
Stockholm (Skavsta) 
Tenerife South 
Thessaloniki 
Trapani 
Valencia 
Warsaw (Modlin) (a) 
Wroclaw 
Zadar 

(a) 

In April 2014, Ryanair announced that it would open bases in Cologne, Gdansk and Warsaw Modlin. 

(b) 

In July 2014, Ryanair announced that it would operate a base in Glasgow International Airport. 

See  Note  17,  ―Analysis  of  operating  revenues  and  segmental  analysis,‖  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements  included  in  Item  18  for  more  information  regarding  the  geographical  sources  of  the  Company‘s 
revenue. 

Management‘s  objective  is  to  schedule  a  sufficient  number  of  flights  per  day  on  each  of  Ryanair‘s 
routes  to  satisfy  demand  for  Ryanair‘s  low-fares  service.  Ryanair  schedules  departures  on  its  most  popular 
routes at frequent intervals; normally between approximately 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Management regularly 
reviews the need for adjustments in the number of flights on all of its routes. 

During the 2014 fiscal year, Ryanair opened 121 new routes across its network. See ―Risk Factors—
Risks  Related  to  the  Company—Ryanair‘s  New  Routes  and  Expanded  Operations  May  Have  an  Adverse 
Financial Impact on Its Results.‖ 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Low and Widely Available Fares 

Ryanair  offers  low  fares,  with  prices  generally  varying  on  the  basis  of  advance  booking,  seat 
availability  and  demand.  Ryanair  sells  seats  on  a  one-way  basis,  thus  removing  minimum  stay  requirements 
from  all  travel  on  Ryanair  scheduled  services.  All  tickets  can  be  changed,  subject  to  certain  conditions, 
including fee payment and applicable upgrade charges. However, tickets are generally non-cancelable and non-
refundable and must be paid for at the time of reservation.  

Ryanair‘s discounted fares are ―capacity controlled‖ in that Ryanair allocates a specific number of seats 
on each flight to each fare category to accommodate projected demand for seats at each fare level leading up to 
flight  time.  Ryanair  generally  makes  its  lowest  fares  widely  available  by  allocating  a  majority  of  its  seat 
inventory  to its lowest  fare categories. Management believes that its  unrestricted fares as  well as its advance-
purchase fares are attractive to both business and leisure travelers.  

When launching a new route, Ryanair‘s policy is to price its lowest fare so that it will be significantly 

lower than other carriers‘ lowest fares, but still provide a satisfactory operating margin.  

Ryanair also periodically runs special promotional fare campaigns, in particular in connection with the 
opening of new routes, and endeavors to always offer the lowest fare on any route it serves. Promotional fares 
may  have  the  effect  of  increasing  load  factors  and  reducing  Ryanair‘s  yield  and  passenger  revenues  on  the 
relevant  routes  during  the  periods  they  are  in  effect.  Ryanair  expects  to  continue  to  offer  significant  fare 
promotions to stimulate demand in periods of lower activity or during off-peak times for the foreseeable future.  

MARKETING AND ADVERTISING 

Ryanair‘s primary marketing strategy is to emphasize its widely available low fares, route choice and 
great  service.  In  doing  so,  Ryanair  primarily  advertises  its  services  in  national  and  regional  media  across 
Europe.  In  addition,  we  use  topical  advertising,  social  media,  press  conferences  and  publicity  stunts.  Other 
marketing activities include the distribution of advertising and promotional material and cooperative advertising 
campaigns  with  other  travel-related  entities,  including  local  tourist  boards.  Ryanair  also  regularly  contacts 
people registered in its database to inform them about promotions and special offers.  

RESERVATIONS ON RYANAIR.COM 

Passenger  airlines  generally  rely  on  travel  agents  (whether  traditional  or  online)  for  a  significant 
portion of their ticket sales and pay travel agents commissions for their services, as well as reimbursing them for 
the fees charged by reservation systems providers. In contrast, Ryanair requires passengers to make reservations 
and purchase tickets directly through the Company. Currently, over 99% of such reservations and purchases are 
made  through  the  website  Ryanair.com.  Ryanair  is  therefore  not  reliant  on  travel  agents.  See  ―—Strategy—
Taking Advantage of the Internet‖ above for additional information. 

In  May  2012,  Ryanair  further  upgraded  its  reservation  system  in  order  to  facilitate  the  continued 
expansion of the airline.   The upgraded system  gives the  Company the ability to offer  more  enhancements to 
passengers, as the new platform is far more flexible in terms of future development. Under the agreement with 
the  system  provider,  Navitaire,  the  system  serves  as  Ryanair‘s  core  seating  inventory  and  booking  system.  In 
return for access to these system functions, Ryanair pays transaction fees that are generally based on the number 
of  passenger  seat  journeys  booked  through  the  system.  Navitaire  also  retains  a  back-up  booking  engine  to 
support  operations  in  the  event  of  a  breakdown  in  the  main  system.  Over  the  last  several  years,  Ryanair  has 
introduced  a  number  of  Internet-based  customer  service  enhancements  such  as  Internet  check-in,  priority 
boarding  service  and  limited  reserved  seating  since  January  2012.  Since  October  2009,  Ryanair  has  required 
Internet check-in for all passengers. These enhancements and changes have been made to reduce waiting time at 
airports and speed a passenger‘s journey from arrival at the airport to boarding, as well as significantly reduce 
airport handling costs. Ryanair has also introduced a checked-bag fee, which is payable on the Internet and is 
aimed at reducing the number of bags carried by passengers in order to further reduce handling costs. On April 
1, 2014, the Company entered an agreement with Travelport who operate the Galileo and Worldspan GDS. The 
Company‘s fares (except for the three lowest fare categories) will be distributed on the Galileo and Worldspan 
systems. Ryanair has negotiated an attractive per segment price and expects to sell tickets via travel agents at no 
commission to a mix of largely business/corporate travelers. See Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks 
Related  to  the  Company—Ryanair  Faces  Risks  Related  to  Unauthorized  Use  of  Information  from  the 
Company‘s Website.‖ 

69 

 
Aircraft 

AIRCRAFT 

As  of  June  30,  2014,  Ryanair  had  a  principal  fleet  of  297  Boeing  737-800  aircraft  and  5  additional 
leased  aircraft  acquired  on  short  term  leases  for  the  summer  of  2014  to provide  extra  capacity.  The  principal 
fleet  was composed of 297 Boeing 737-800 ―next  generation‖ aircraft, each having 189 seats. Ryanair‘s  fleet 
totaled 297 Boeing 737-800s at March 31, 2014. The Company expects to have an operating fleet comprising 
approximately 426 Boeing 737-800s at March 31, 2019 depending on the level of lease returns/disposals.  

Between  March  1999  and  March  2014,  Ryanair  took  delivery  of  348  new  Boeing  737-800  ―next 
generation‖  aircraft  under  its  contracts  with  Boeing  and  disposed  of  51  such  aircraft,  including  25  lease 
handbacks.  

Under the terms of the 2013 Boeing Contract, Ryanair has agreed to purchase the 180 new aircraft over 
a five year period from fiscal 2015 to 2019, with delivery beginning in September 2014. The new aircraft will 
benefit from a net effective price not dissimilar to that under the 2005 Boeing Contract which was approved by 
shareholders in 2005 and will be used on new and existing routes to grow Ryanair‘s business. 

The Boeing 737-800 represents the current generation of Boeing‘s 737 aircraft. It is a short-to-medium 
range aircraft and seats 189 passengers. The basic price (equivalent to a standard list price for an aircraft of this 
type) for each of the Boeing 737-800 series aircraft is approximately US$78.1 million and the basic price will be 
increased  for  certain  ―buyer-furnished‖  equipment,  amounting  to  approximately  US$2.9  million  per  new 
aircraft,  which  Ryanair  has  asked  Boeing  to  purchase  and  install  on  each  of  the  new  aircraft.  In  addition,  an 
―Escalation  Factor‖  will  be  applied  to  the  basic  price  to  reflect  increases  in  the  Employment  Cost  Index  and 
Producer Price Index between the time the basic price was set in the 2013 Boeing Contract and the period 18 to 
24 months prior to the delivery of any such new aircraft.  

Boeing has granted Ryanair certain price concessions as part of the 2013 Boeing Contract. These will 
take the  form of credit  memoranda to Ryanair for the amount of such concessions,  which Ryanair  may apply 
toward  the  purchase  of  goods  and  services  from  Boeing  or  toward  certain  payments,  other  than  advance 
payments, in respect of the new aircraft. Boeing and CFMI (the manufacturer of the engines to be fitted on the 
new aircraft) have also agreed to provide Ryanair with certain allowances for promotional and other activities, 
as  well  as  providing  certain  other  goods  and  services  to  Ryanair  on  concessionary  terms.  Those  credit 
memoranda  and  promotional  allowances  will  effectively  reduce  the  price  of  each  new  aircraft  payable  by 
Ryanair. As a result, the ―effective price‖ (the purchase price of the new aircraft net of discounts received from 
Boeing) of each  new  aircraft  will be significantly below  the  basic price  mentioned above. The effective price 
applies to all new aircraft due for delivery from September 2014. 

For  additional  details  on  the  Boeing  contracts,  scheduled  aircraft  deliveries  and  related  expenditures 
and  their  financing,  as  well  as  the  terms  of  the  arrangements  under  which  Ryanair  currently  leases  51  of  the 
aircraft in its operating fleet, see ―Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital 
Resources.‖  

The  Boeing  737  is  the  world‘s  most  widely  used  commercial  aircraft  and  exists  in  a  number  of 
generations,  the  Boeing  737-800s  being  the  most  recent.  Management  believes  that  spare  parts  and  cockpit 
crews  qualified  to  fly  these  aircraft  are  likely  to  be  more  widely  available  on  favorable  terms  than  similar 
resources for other types of aircraft. Management believes that its strategy, to date, of having reduced its fleet to 
one aircraft type enables Ryanair to limit the costs associated with personnel training, the purchase and storage 
of spare parts, and maintenance. Furthermore, this strategy affords Ryanair greater flexibility in the scheduling 
of crews and equipment. The Boeing 737-800s are fitted with CFM 56-7B engines and have advanced CAT III 
Autoland  capability,  advanced  traffic  collision  avoidance  systems,  and  enhanced  ground-proximity  warning 
systems. During fiscal 2012, Boeing announced that it was going to manufacture a variant of the 737 with new, 
more fuel-efficient engines called the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. A senior Ryanair working group is continuing 
to evaluate the benefits of the MAX aircraft. This new variant could impact the Company insofar as the residual 
value of its aircraft could be reduced  when this new variant enters production, currently expected to be in late 
2017. 

70 

 
 
At March 31, 2014, the average aircraft age of the Company‘s Boeing 737-800 fleet was just over 5.5 

years. 

Training and Regulatory Compliance 

Ryanair currently owns and operates four Boeing 737-800 full flight simulators for pilot training, the 
first  of  which  was  delivered  in  2002.  The  simulators  were  purchased  from  CAE  Electronics  Ltd.  of  Quebec, 
Canada  (―CAE‖).  The  second  simulator  was  delivered  in  2004,  while  the  third  and  fourth  simulators  were 
delivered in the 2008 fiscal year. In September 2006, Ryanair entered into a new contract with CAE to purchase 
B737NG Level B flight simulators. Two such simulators were delivered in the 2009 fiscal year.  

Management believes that  Ryanair is currently in compliance  with all applicable regulations and EU 
directives concerning its fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft and will comply with any regulations or EU directives 
that may come into effect in the  future. However, there can be no assurance that the FAA or other regulatory 
authorities  will  not  recommend  or  require  other  safety-related  undertakings  that  could  adversely  impact  the 
Company‘s results of operations or financial condition. See ―Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Safety-
Related Undertakings Could Affect the Company‘s Results.‖ 

ANCILLARY SERVICES  

Ryanair provides various ancillary services and engages in other activities connected with its core air 
passenger  service,  including  non-flight  scheduled  services,  Internet-related  services,  and  the  in-flight  sale  of 
beverages,  food,  and  merchandise.  See  ―Item  5.  Operating  and  Financial  Review  and  Prospects—Results  of 
Operations—Fiscal  Year  2014  Compared  with  Fiscal  Year  2013—Ancillary  Revenues‖  for  additional 
information. 

As  part  of  its  non-flight  scheduled  and  Internet-related  services,  Ryanair  incentivizes  ground  service 
providers at many of the airports it serves to levy correct excess baggage charges for any baggage that exceeds 
Ryanair‘s  published  baggage  allowances  and  to  collect  these  charges  in  accordance  with  Ryanair‘s  standard 
terms and conditions. Excess baggage charges are recorded as non-flight scheduled revenue. 

Ryanair primarily markets accommodation services and travel insurance through its website. For hotel 
and  accommodation  services,  Ryanair  has  a  contract  with  Hotelscombined  PTY  Ltd.  (―Hotelscombined‖), 
which  operates  a  price  comparison  website,  pursuant  to  which  Hotelscombined  handles  all  aspects  of  such 
services  marketed  through  Ryanair‘s  website  and  pays  a  fee  to  Ryanair.  Ryanair  also  has  a  contract  with 
Bookings.com to market hotels during the booking process on its website and Ryanair receives a commission on 
these  sales.  In  addition,  Ryanair  has  a  contract  with  Hertz,  pursuant  to  which  Hertz  handles  all  car  rental 
services marketed through Ryanair‘s website or telephone reservation system.  

Ryanair  also  sells  bus  and  some  rail  tickets  onboard  its  aircraft  and  through  its  website.  In  addition, 
Ryanair  markets  car  parking,  attractions  and  activities  on  its  website,  with  the  latter  having  gone  on  sale  in-
flight in spring 2012. 

Ryanair sells gift vouchers on its website, which are redeemable online. In May 2009, Ryanair started 
to  offer  its  passengers  the  possibility  of  receiving  an  SMS  (text  message)  when  booking,  at  a  modest  fee,  to 
inform them of their flight confirmation details.  

In  April  2009,  Ryanair  signed  a  contract  with  Webloyalty  International  Ltd,  which  offers  Ryanair‘s 
customers who have a UK, German or French billing address a retail discount and cash-back program. A similar 
contract was signed in 2013 with LEV-8 for customers with billing addresses in Norway, Poland, Portugal and 
Sweden. In April 2011, Ryanair began to sell advertising on its boarding cards. In fiscal 2012, a boarding card 
redesign along with increased passenger volumes allowed for further growth in this area. 

71 

 
 
 
In fiscal year 2012, Ryanair rolled out handheld Electronic Point of Sale (―EPOS‖) devices  across its 
route network. These EPOS devices replaced manual and paper based systems on board the aircraft. The EPOS 
device  enables  cabin  crew  to  sell  and  record  their  on-board  sales  transactions  more  efficiently  and  generate 
vastly improved management sales reporting. The  EPOS device also issues bus and rail tickets and tickets for 
tourist attractions. 

In fiscal year 2011, Ryanair began offering reserved seating in twenty-one extra legroom seats on each 
aircraft for a fee on certain routes and this feature was rolled out to all routes in fiscal year 2012. In February 
2014, Ryanair introduced fully allocated seating on each of its flights.  Passengers can pay a fee of €10 for seats 
located at the front of the aircraft, at the overwing exits and at the two rear rows of the aircraft.  All other seats 
can be reserved for a fee of €5. In the event a passenger does not wish to purchase an allocated seat, a random 
seat will be allocated during the booking process. 

In November 2013, the Company launched a new website which reduced the number of clicks to make 
a  booking  from  17  to  5.    At  the  same  time,  the  Company  reduced  the  exposure  of  certain  other  ancillary 
products during the booking process on the website which had a negative impact on sales along with a reduction 
of certain penalty fees and charges at airports.  The Company anticipates that the reduction in revenues arising 
from  these  changes  will  be  offset  by  the  increased  revenues  arising  from  allocated  seating.  See  ―Item  3  Key 
Information—Risk  Factors—Ryanair  May  Not  Achieve  All  of  the  Expected  Benefits  of  its  Recent  Strategic 
Initiatives‖.  

General 

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS 

As  part  of  its  commitment  to  safety,  Ryanair  endeavors  to  hire  qualified  maintenance  personnel, 
provide  proper  training  to  such  personnel,  and  maintain  its  aircraft  in  accordance  with  European  industry 
standards. While  Ryanair  seeks  to  maintain its  fleet in a cost-effective  manner,  management does  not seek  to 
extend Ryanair‘s low-cost operating strategy to the areas of maintenance, training or quality control. 

Ryanair‘s quality assurance department deals with oversight of all maintenance activities in accordance 
with Part 145. The European Aviation Safety Agency (―EASA‖), which established Part 145, came into being 
on September 28, 2003; through the adoption of Regulation (EC) No. 1592/2002 of the European Parliament, 
and its standards superseded the previous Joint Aviation Authority (―JAA‖) requirements. See ―Government 
RegulationRegulatory Authorities.‖  

Ryanair  is  itself  an  EASA  Part  145-approved  maintenance  contractor  and  provides  its  own  routine 
aircraft  maintenance  and  repair  services.  Ryanair  also  performs  certain  checks  on  its  aircraft,  including  pre-
flight,  daily,  and  transit  checks  at  some  of  its  bases,  as  well  as  A-checks  at  its  Dublin,  London  (Stansted), 
Glasgow  (Prestwick),  Bremen  and  Frankfurt  (Hahn)  facilities.  Since  December  2003,  Ryanair  has  operated  a 
hangar facility at its base at Glasgow (Prestwick) in Scotland, where both A-checks and C-checks are performed 
on  the  fleet  of  Boeing  737-800  aircraft.  The  facility  performs  up  to  four  C-checks  per  week  and  Ryanair  has 
recently opened a new C-check hangar facility in Kaunas, Lithuania where it carries out between one and two 
light C-checks per week, enabling Ryanair to perform all of the heavy maintenance that is currently required on 
its  Boeing  737-800  fleet  in-house.  In  January  2014,  Ryanair  opened  another  single  bay  hangar  facility  in 
Kaunas. 

Ryanair opened a five-bay hangar and stores facility at its London (Stansted) airport base in October 
2008  to  allow  Ryanair  to  carry  out  additional  line  maintenance  on  its  expanding  fleet.  This  facility  also 
incorporates two  flight  simulator devices  with  space and provisions for two  more, together  with a cabin crew 
trainer and associated training rooms. Ryanair has completed the building of a separate training facility adjacent 
to  the  hangar  to  accommodate  a  full  size  737NG  training  aircraft  to  allow  for  cabin  crew  and  engineering 
training. Ryanair carries out A-checks and line maintenance in its single-bay aircraft hangar facility in Bremen. 
Ryanair  has  also  entered  into  a  30-year  sole-tenancy  agreement  with  Frankfurt  (Hahn)  airport  and  has  taken 
acceptance  of  a  two-bay  hangar  and  stores  facility  that  also  incorporates  a  two-bay  simulator-training  center. 
This  facility  was  completed  in  January  2011  and  allows  Ryanair  to  carry  out  additional  line  maintenance 
including A-checks.  

72 

 
Maintenance and repair services that may become necessary while an aircraft is located at some of the 
other  airports  served  by  Ryanair  are  provided  by  other  Part  145-approved  contract  maintenance  providers. 
Aircraft  return  each  evening  to  Ryanair‘s  bases,  where  they  are  examined  by  either  Ryanair‘s  approved 
engineers or by local Part 145-approved companies. 

Heavy Maintenance 

As  noted  above,  Ryanair  currently  has  sufficient  capacity  to  be  able  to  carry  out  all  of  the  routine 
maintenance  work  required  on  its  Boeing  737-800  fleet  itself.  Ryanair  opened  a  new  three-bay  maintenance 
hangar at Glasgow (Prestwick) airport in winter 2010 to accommodate the additional maintenance requirements 
arising from its expanding and aging fleet and opened a new C-check facility in Kaunas in January 2013 to carry 
out light C-checks. 

Ryanair  contracts  out  engine  overhaul  service  for  its  Boeing  737-800  aircraft  to  General  Electric 
Engine Services pursuant to a 10-year agreement with an option for a 10-year extension,  which was signed in 
2004  and  subsequently  extended  for  three  years  to  November  30,  2017.  This  comprehensive  maintenance 
contract provides for the repair and overhaul of the CFM56-7B series engines fitted to the first 155 of Ryanair‘s 
Boeing 737-800 aircraft, the repair of parts and general technical support for the fleet of engines. On June 30, 
2008, the Company finalized a contract for a similar level of coverage and support for the engines on all of its 
aircraft that have been or  were scheduled to be delivered over the period through November 2012.  Due to the 
fact that engines on recently delivered aircraft will not require a scheduled engine overhaul prior to the expiry of 
the  current  contract  with  GE,  Ryanair  has  decided,  at  this  time,  not  to  take  up  its  option  to  have  engines 
delivered  with  aircraft  after  October  2010  covered  by  this  contract.  General  Electric  Engine  Services  mainly 
uses  its  Part  145-approved  repair  facility  in  Cardiff,  Wales  for  this  work,  but  also  uses  the  KLM  Part  145-
approved  facility  in  Amsterdam,  and  its  Part  145-approved  facility  in  Celma,  Brazil.  By  contracting  with 
experienced  Part  145-approved  maintenance  providers,  management  believes  it  is  better  able  to  ensure  the 
quality  of  its  aircraft  and  engine  maintenance.  Ryanair  assigns  a  Part  145-certified  mechanic  to  oversee  all 
heavy maintenance and to authorize all engine overhauls performed by third parties. Maintenance providers are 
also monitored closely by the national authorities under EASA and national regulations.  

Ryanair expects to be dependent on external service contractors, particularly for engine and component 
maintenance, for the foreseeable future, notwithstanding the additional capabilities provided by its maintenance 
facilities at Dublin, Glasgow (Prestwick), London (Stansted), Frankfurt (Hahn) and Kaunas. See ―Item 3. Key 
Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company—The Company Is Dependent on External Service 
Providers.‖ 

SAFETY RECORD 

Ryanair has not had a single passenger or flight crew fatality in its  30-year operating history. Ryanair 
demonstrates its commitment to safe operations through its safety training procedures, its investment in safety-
related equipment, and its adoption of an internal open and confidential reporting system for safety issues. The 
Company‘s  Board  of  Directors  also  has  an  air  safety  committee  to  review  and  discuss  air  safety  and  related 
issues.  Michael  Horgan,  a  Company  director,  is  the  chairman  of  this  committee  and  reports  to  the  Board  of 
Directors. 

Ryanair‘s  flight  training  is  oriented  towards  accident  prevention  and  covers  all  aspects  of  flight 
operations.  Threat  and  Error  Management  (TEM)  is  at  the  core  of  all  flight  crew  training  programs.  Ryanair 
maintains full control of the content and delivery of all of its flight crew training, including initial, recurrent, and 
upgrade  phases.  All  training  programs  are  approved  by  the  Irish  Aviation  Authority  (the  ―IAA‖),  which 
regularly  audits  operation  control  standards  and  flight  crew  training  standards  for  compliance  with  EU 
legislation.  

All of the Boeing 737-800s that Ryanair has bought or committed to buy are certified for Category IIIA 

landings (automatic landings with minimum horizontal visibility of 200 meters and a 50 feet decision height). 

73 

 
 
 
Ryanair  has  a  comprehensive  and  documented  safety  management  system.  Management  encourages 
flight crews to report any safety-related issues through the Safety Alert Initial Report reporting program or to 
use  the  confidential  reporting  system,  which  is  available  online  through  Ryanair‘s  Crewdock  system.  The 
confidential reporting system affords flight crews the opportunity  to report directly to the Flight Safety Officer 
any event, error, or discrepancy in flight operations that they do not wish to report through standard reporting 
channels. The confidential reporting system is designed to increase management‘s awareness of problems that 
may be encountered by flight crews in their day-to-day operations. Management uses the information reported 
through  all  reporting  systems  to  modify  operating  procedures  and  improve  flight  operation  standards. 
Additionally, Ryanair promotes the use of CHIRP, a confidential reporting system that is endorsed by the UK 
CAA as an alternative confidential reporting channel. 

Ryanair has installed an automatic data capturing system on each of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft which 
captures and downloads aircraft performance information for use as part of Operational Flight Data Monitoring 
(OFDM)  which  automatically  provides  a  confidential  report  on  variations  from  normal  operating  limitations 
detected during the course of each flight. The purpose of this system is to monitor operational trends and inform 
management of any instance of an operational limit being exceeded. By analyzing these reports, management is 
able  to  identify  undesirable  trends  and  potential  areas  of  operational  risk,  so  as  to  take  steps  to  rectify  such 
deviations, thereby ensuring adherence to Ryanair‘s flight safety standards.  

In November 2008, a Ryanair aircraft suffered a multiple bird strike during its final approach to Rome 
(Ciampino) airport. This incident caused substantial damage to the aircraft, which resulted in an insurance claim 
being filed in respect of this  aircraft.  The  damage that it  suffered  was such that  the aircraft  was  not repaired, 
although Ryanair has retained ownership of it for certain parts and for training purposes. 

Airport Handling Services 

AIRPORT OPERATIONS 

Ryanair  provides  its  own  aircraft  and  passenger  handling  and  ticketing  services  at  Dublin  Airport. 
Third parties provide these services to Ryanair at most other airports it serves. Servisair plc provides Ryanair‘s 
ticketing, passenger and aircraft handling, and ground handling services at many of these airports in Ireland and 
the U.K. (excluding London (Stansted) Airport where these services are provided primarily by Swissport Ltd.), 
while  similar  services  in  continental  Europe  are  generally  provided  by  the  local  airport  authorities,  either 
directly  or  through  sub-contractors.  Management  attempts  to  obtain  competitive  rates  for  such  services  by 
negotiating multi-year contracts at fixed prices. These contracts are generally scheduled to expire in one to five 
years,  unless  renewed,  and  certain  of  them  may  be  terminated  by  either  party  before  their  expiry  upon  prior 
notice. Ryanair will need to enter into similar agreements in  any new markets it may enter. See  ―Item 3. Key 
Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company—The Company Is Dependent on External Service 
Providers.‖ 

During  2009,  Ryanair  introduced  Internet  check-in  for  all  passengers  and  also  introduced  kiosks  at 
certain  airports for the provision of other services.  The  Company  has these kiosks in operation at  many  of its 
key bases.  

Airport Charges 

As with other airlines, Ryanair must pay airport charges each time it lands and accesses facilities at the 
airports  it  serves.  Depending  on  the  policy  of  the  individual  airport,  such  charges  can  include  landing  fees, 
passenger  loading  fees,  security  fees  and  parking  fees.  Ryanair  attempts  to  negotiate  discounted  fees  by 
delivering annual increases in passenger traffic, and opts, when practicable, for less expensive facilities, such as 
less convenient gates and the use of outdoor boarding stairs rather than more expensive jetways. Nevertheless, 
there can be no assurance that the airports Ryanair uses will not impose higher airport charges in the future and 
that any such increases would not adversely affect the Company‘s operations. 

74 

 
 
 
As  a  result  of  rising  airport  charges  and  the  introduction  of  an  Air  Travel  Tax  of  €10  on  passengers 
departing from Irish airports on routes longer than 300 kilometers from Dublin Airport (€2 on shorter routes), 
Ryanair reduced its fleet at Dublin airport to 13 during winter 2010 (down from 22 in summer 2008 and 20 in 
winter  2008).  The  introduction  of  the  aforementioned  €10  tax  likely  had  a  negative  impact  on  the  number  of 
passengers  traveling  to  and  from  Ireland.  The  Dublin  Airport  Authority  (―DAA‖)  reported  that  passenger 
volumes  declined  by  25%  from  30  million  in  2007  to  23 million  in  2012.  Ryanair  believes  that  this  is  partly 
reflective  of  the  negative  impact  of  the  tax  on  Irish  travel.  Ryanair  called  for  the  elimination  of  the  tax  to 
stimulate  tourism  during  the  recession.  Ryanair  also  complained  to  the  European  Commission  about  the 
unlawful differentiation in the level of the Irish Air Travel tax between routes within the EU. From April 2011, 
a  single  rate  (€3)  of  the  Air  Travel  Tax  was  introduced  on  all  routes.  In  May  2011,  the  Irish  Government 
announced that it would abolish the Air Travel Tax, and the tax was ultimately abolished on April 1, 2014. No 
assurance can be given that the tax will not be reintroduced in the future at similar levels or higher levels, which 
could have a negative impact on demand for air travel.  

The  Greek  government  planned  to  introduce  similar  taxes;  however,  it  has  now  cancelled  plans  to 
introduce  these  taxes.  The  German  government  introduced  an  €8  passenger  tax  on  January  1,  2011  for  all 
departing domestic or short-haul passengers and a passenger tax of €25 for all departing passengers on flights 
bound for southern Europe and northern Africa. The €8 tax was reduced to €7.50 in January 2012. In addition, 
the Austrian government introduced an ecological air travel levy of €8 effective January 1, 2011. In July 2013, 
the  regional  Walloon  Government  in  Belgium  announced  a  €3  passenger  travel  tax  from  January  2014. 
However, the plan to introduce this tax was later abandoned. The Moroccan government has also introduced a 
similar tax (equivalent to approximately €9) from April 2014. 

In  March  2007,  the  discount  arrangement  formerly  in  place  at  London  (Stansted)  airport  terminated, 
subjecting  Ryanair  to  an  average  increase  in  charges  of  approximately  100%.  The  increase  in  these  charges, 
which was passed on in the form of higher ticket prices, had a negative impact on yields and passenger volumes 
in  the  winter,  resulting  in  Ryanair‘s  decision  to  ground  seven  aircraft.  Ryanair  responded  to  the  increases  by 
filing complaints  with the U.K. Office  of Fair Trading (―OFT‖) and the Competition  Commission, calling for 
the break-up of the British Airports Authority plc (―BAA‖) monopoly and the introduction of competition in the 
London  airports  market.  The  OFT  referred  the  matter  to  the  Competition  Commission,  which  found  that  the 
common  ownership  by  BAA  of  the  three  main  airports  in  London  negatively  affected  competition  and  that  a 
―light touch‖ approach to regulating BAA by the Civil Aviation Authority adversely impacted competition. In 
March 2009, the Competition Commission ordered the break-up of BAA. In October 2009, London (Gatwick) 
was sold to Global Infrastructure Partners for £1.5 billion. Following a delay caused by various appeals by the 
BAA, the BAA proceeded to sell Edinburgh Airport in April 2012, and Stansted airport to Manchester Airports 
Group plc in March 2013. Following the December 2003 publication of the U.K. government‘s White Paper  on 
Airport Capacity in the Southeast of England, the BAA in 2004 announced plans to spend up to £4 billion on a 
multi-year project to construct a second runway and additional terminal facilities at London (Stansted) airport 
with a target opening date of 2013. Ryanair and other airlines using London (Stansted) support the principle of a 
second  runway  at  London  (Stansted),  but  are  opposed  to  this  development  because  they  believe  that  the 
financing  of  what  they  consider  to  be  an  overblown  project  will  lead  to  airport  costs  approximately  doubling 
from current levels. In May 2010 the BAA announced that it would not proceed with this £4 billion program. 
On January 10, 2014, the UK Civil Aviation Authority completed its regulatory investigation into market power 
determination  for  passenger  airlines  in  relation  to  London  (Stansted).  It  found  that  London  (Stansted)  did  not 
enjoy  substantial  market  power  in  the  market  for  the  provision  of  airport  operation  services  to  passenger 
airlines,  and as  such declined to continue to regulate  the airport.  On September 16, 2013, Ryanair announced 
that  it  had  agreed  a  10  year  growth  agreement  with  Manchester  Airports  Group  plc,  the  owners  of  London 
(Stansted), in relation to an expansion of capacity at London (Stansted) in return for significant airport charge 
reductions  for  the  incremental  passenger  volumes  delivered.    Once  this  10  year  growth  deal  expires,  Ryanair 
may be subject to increased airport charges at London (Stansted) as the airport is no longer subject to regulation. 

See ―Item 3. Risk FactorsRisks Related to the CompanyRyanair‘s Continued Growth is Dependent 
on Access to Suitable Airports; Charges for Airport Access are Subject to Increase.‖ See also ―Item 8. Financial 
InformationOther  Financial  InformationLegal  ProceedingsEU  State  Aid-Related  Proceedings‖  for 
information  regarding  legal  proceedings  in  which  Ryanair‘s  economic  arrangements  with  several  publicly 
owned airports are being contested. 

75 

 
   
 
 
FUEL 

The cost of jet fuel accounted for approximately 46% and 45% of Ryanair‘s total operating expenses in 
the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively (in each case, this accounts for costs after giving 
effect to the Company‘s fuel hedging activities but excludes de-icing costs, which accounted for approximately 
0.3% and 1.0% of total fuel costs in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively). The future 
availability and cost of jet fuel cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, and Ryanair‘s low-fares policy 
limits  its  ability  to  pass  on  increased  fuel  costs  to  passengers  through  increased  fares.  Jet  fuel  prices  are 
dependent  on  crude  oil  prices,  which  are  quoted  in  U.S.  dollars.  If  the  value  of  the  U.S.  dollar  strengthens 
against  the  euro,  Ryanair‘s  fuel  costs,  expressed  in  euro,  may  increase  even  absent  any  increase  in  the  U.S. 
dollar price of jet fuel. Ryanair has also entered into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against some 
currency  fluctuations.  See  ―Item  11.  Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures  About  Market  Risk—Foreign 
Currency Exposure and Hedging.‖ 

Ryanair  has  historically  entered  into  arrangements  providing  for  substantial  protection  against 
fluctuations  in  fuel  prices,  generally  through  forward  contracts  covering  periods  of  up  to  18  months  of 
anticipated jet fuel requirements. As of July 25, 2014, Ryanair had entered into forward jet fuel (jet kerosene) 
contracts covering approximately 90% of its estimated requirements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 at 
prices equivalent to approximately  $950 per metric ton. In  addition, as of  July 25, 2014, Ryanair had entered 
into forward jet fuel (jet kerosene) contracts covering approximately 55% of its estimated requirements for the 
first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 at prices equivalent to approximately $950 per metric ton, and 
had  not  entered  into  any  jet  fuel  hedging  contracts  with  respect  to  its  expected  fuel  purchases  beyond  that 
period. See ―Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company—Changes in Fuel Costs 
and  Fuel  Availability  Affect  the  Company‘s  Results  and  Increase  the  Likelihood  of  Adverse  Impact  to  the 
Company‘s  Profitability‖  and  ―Item  11.  Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures  About  Market  Risk—Fuel 
Price  Exposure  and  Hedging‖  for  additional  information  on  recent  trends  in  fuel  costs  and  the  Company‘s 
related hedging activities, as well as certain associated risks. See also ―Item 5. Operating and Financial Review 
and Prospects—Fiscal Year 2014 Compared with Fiscal Year 2013—Fuel and Oil.‖ 

76 

 
 
 
INSURANCE 

Ryanair  is  exposed  to  potential  catastrophic  losses  that  may  be  incurred  in  the  event  of  an  aircraft 
accident  or  terrorist  incident.  Any  such  accident  or  incident  could  involve  costs  related  to  the  repair  or 
replacement of a damaged aircraft and its consequent temporary or permanent loss from service. In addition, an 
accident or incident could result in  significant legal claims against  the  Company from injured passengers and 
others  who  experienced  injury  or  property  damage  as  a  result  of  the  accident  or  incident,  including  ground 
victims.  Ryanair  maintains  aviation  third-party  liability  insurance,  passenger  liability  insurance,  employer 
liability insurance, directors and officers liability insurance, aircraft insurance for aircraft loss or damage, and 
other  business  insurance  in  amounts  per  occurrence  consistent  with  industry  standards.  Ryanair  believes  its 
insurance coverage is adequate, although not comprehensive. There can be no assurance that the amount of such 
coverage will not need to be increased, that insurance premiums will not increase significantly or that Ryanair 
will not be forced to bear substantial losses from accidents. Ryanair‘s insurance does not cover claims for losses 
incurred  when,  due  to  unforeseen  events,  airspace  is  closed  and  aircraft  are  grounded,  such  as  the  airspace 
closures  described  in  ―Risk  Factors  –  Risks  Related  to  the  Airline  Industry  –  Volcanic  Ash  Emissions  Could 
Affect  the  Company  and  Have  a  Material  Adverse  Impact  on  the  Company‘s  Results  of  Operation‖,  which 
resulted from volcanic ash in the northern European airspace during April and May 2010. 

The cost of insurance coverage for certain third-party liabilities arising from ―acts of war‖ or terrorism 
increased  dramatically  as  a  result  of  the  September  11,  2001  terrorist  attacks.  In  the  immediate  aftermath, 
aircraft  liability  war  indemnities  for  amounts  above  $50  million  were,  in  the  absence  of  any  alternative 
coverage, provided by the Irish Government at pre-September 11, 2001 levels of coverage on the basis of a per-
passenger surcharge. In March 2002, once such coverage was again commercially available, Ryanair arranged 
coverage to replace that provided by the government indemnity. The replacement insurance coverage operated 
on the basis of a per-passenger surcharge with an additional surcharge based on hull values. Ryanair‘s insurers 
have  indicated  that  the  scope  of  the  Company‘s  current  war-related  insurance  coverage  may  exclude  certain 
types of catastrophic incidents, which may result in the Company seeking alternative coverage. Ryanair to date 
has passed increased insurance costs on to passengers by  means of a special  ―insurance levy‖  incorporated in 
each ticket. 

During the 2006 fiscal year, Ryanair established Aviation Insurance (IOM) Limited (―AIL‖), a wholly 
owned insurance company subsidiary, to provide the Company with self-insurance as part of its ongoing risk-
management strategy.  AIL  underwrites a portion of the Company‘s aviation insurance program,  which covers 
not only the Company‘s aircraft but also its liability to passengers and to third parties. AIL reinsures virtually all 
of  the  aviation  insurance  risk  it  underwrites  with  recognized  third  parties  in  the  aviation  reinsurance  market, 
with the amount of  AIL‘s  maximum aggregate  exposure not currently subject to such reinsurance agreements 
being equal to approximately $16.5 million. In addition to aviation insurance, AIL has underwritten most of the 
single trip travel insurance policies sold on Ryanair.com since February 1, 2011. 

Council Regulation (EC) No. 2027/97, as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No. 889/2002, governs 
air  carrier  liability.  This  legislation  provides  for  unlimited  liability  of  an  air  carrier  in  the  event  of  death  or 
bodily  injuries  suffered  by  passengers,  implementing  the  Warsaw  Convention  of  1929  for  the  Unification  of 
Certain Rules Relating to Transportation by Air, as amended by the Montreal Convention of 1999. Ryanair has 
extended  its  liability  insurance  to  meet  the  appropriate  requirements  of  the  legislation.  See  ―Item  3.  Key 
Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Airline Industry—The Company Faces the Risk of Loss and 
Liability‖ for information on the Company‘s risks of loss and liability.  

77 

 
 
 
FACILITIES 

The following are the principal properties owned or leased by the Company: 

Location 

Site Area 
(Sq. Meters) 

Floor Space 
(Sq. Meters) 

Tenure 

Activity 

Dublin Airport .........................  
Concourse Building, Airside 
Business Park, Swords, Dublin  
Dublin Airport (Hangar No. 1)  
Dublin Airport (Hangar No. 2) 

1,370 

1,649  Leasehold 

12,141 
1,620 
5,200 

9,298 
Freehold 
1,620  Leasehold 
5,000  Leasehold 

Dublin Airport Business Park ..  
Phoenix House, 
Conyngham Road, Dublin .......  

955 

749  Leasehold 

2,566 

3,899 

Freehold 

Satellite 3, Stansted Airport .....  

605 

605  Leasehold 

Stansted Airport (Hangar) .......  
Stansted Airport .......................  
Stansted Storage Facilities .......  
East Midlands Airport .............  
East Midlands Airport .............  

Bremen Airport ........................  
Skavsta Airport (Hangar) ........  
Prestwick Airport (Hangar) .....  
Frankfurt (Hahn) Airport 
(Hangar) ..................................  
Kaunas Airport (Hangar) .........  
Rygge Airport (Hangar) ..........  
Billund Airport (Hangar) .........  

12,161 
375 
378 
3,890 
2,045 

5,952 
1,936 
10,052 

5,064 
1,700 
1,700 
2,800 

10,301  Leasehold 
375  Leasehold 
531  Leasehold 
Freehold 
634  Leasehold 

2,801 

5,874  Leasehold 
1,936  Leasehold 
10,052  Leasehold 

5,064  Leasehold 
1,700  Leasehold 
1,700  Leasehold 
2,800  Leasehold 

Administration Offices and 
crew rooms 

New Corporate Headquarters 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Administration Offices 
(Leasehold terminated on 22 
June 2014) 

 Rental Property 
Operations Center and 
Administrative Offices 
Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 
and Simulator Training Center 
Training Centre 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Simulator and Training Center 
Training Center 
Terminal and Aircraft 
Maintenance Hangar 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 
and Simulator Training Center 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance 

Ryanair has agreements with the DAA, the Irish government authority charged with operating Dublin 
Airport,  to  lease  bag-drop  counters  and  other  space  at  the  passenger  and  cargo  terminal  facilities  at  Dublin 
Airport. The airport office facilities used by Ryanair at London (Stansted) are leased from the airport authority; 
similar  facilities  at  each  of  the  other  airports  Ryanair  serves  are  provided  by  Servisair  plc  or  other  service 
providers. 

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TRADEMARKS 

Ryanair‘s logo and the slogans ―Ryanair.com The Low Fares Website‖ and ―Ryanair The Low Fares 
Airline‖ have been registered as Community Trade Marks (―CTMs‖). Ryanair has also registered the CTM for 
the  word  ―Ryanairhotels.com.‖  A  CTM  allows  a  trademark  owner  to  obtain  a  single  registration  of  its 
trademark,  which  registration  affords  uniform  protection  for  that  trademark  in  all  EU  member  states.  The 
registration gives Ryanair an exclusive monopoly over the use of its trade name with regard to similar services 
and  the  right  to  sue  for  trademark  infringement  should  another  party  use  an  identical  or  confusingly  similar 
trademark in relation to identical, or similar services.  

Ryanair  has  not  registered  either  its  name  or  its  logo  as  a  trademark  in  Ireland,  as  CTM-registration 
provides all of the protection available from an Irish registration, and management believes there are therefore 
no advantages in making a separate Irish application.  

Ryanair‘s trademarks include: 

-  Community (Word) Trade Mark registration number 004168721 comprised of the  word ―Ryanair‖ in 

classes 16, 28, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 42 (Nice Classification);   

-  Community (Figurative) Trade Mark registration number 001493329 comprising the following graphic 

representation: 

in classes 16, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 42 (Nice Classification) and class 27.5.1 (Vienna classification);  

-  Community (Figurative) Trade Mark registration number 00446559 comprising the following graphic 

representation: 

in classes 16, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 42 (Nice Classification) and class 22.1.16 (Vienna classification); 

-  Community (Figurative) Trade Mark registration number 000338301     

comprising the following graphic representation:  

in classes 16, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 42 (Nice Classification) and class 22.1.16 (Vienna classification) 

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liberalization of the EU Air Transportation Market 

GOVERNMENT REGULATION 

Ryanair began its flight operations in 1985, during a decade in which the governments of Ireland and 
the  U.K.  liberalized  the  bilateral  arrangements  for  the  operation  of  air  services  between  the  two  countries.  In 
1992,  the  Council  of  Ministers  of  the  EU  adopted  a  package  of  measures  intended  to  liberalize  the  internal 
market  for  air  transportation  in  the  EU.  The  liberalization  included  measures  that  allow  EU  air  carriers 
substantial freedom to set air fares, provided EU air carriers greatly enhanced access to routes within the EU, 
and  also  introduced  a  licensing  procedure  for  EU  air  carriers.  Beginning  in  April  1997,  EU  air  carriers  have 
generally been able to provide passenger services on domestic routes within any EU member state outside their 
home country of operations without restriction. 

Regulatory Authorities 

Ryanair  is  subject  to  Irish  and  EU  regulation,  which  is  implemented  primarily  by  the  Department  of 
Transport,  Tourism  and  Sport  (―DTTAS‖),  the  Irish  Aviation  Authority  (―IAA‖),  the  European  Commission, 
and  the  European  Aviation  Safety  Agency  (―EASA‖).  Management  believes  that  the  present  regulatory 
environment  in  Ireland  and  the  EU  is  characterized  by  high  sensitivity  to  safety  and  security  issues,  which  is 
demonstrated by intensive reviews of safety-related procedures, training, and equipment by the national and EU 
regulatory authorities. 

Commission for Aviation Regulation “CAR”. The CAR is currently primarily responsible for deciding 

maximum airport charges only at Dublin Airport. See ―Airport OperationsAirport Charges‖ above.  

The CAR also has responsibility for licensing Irish airlines, subject to the requirements of EU law. It 
issues  operating  licenses  under  the  provisions  of  EU  Regulation  1008/2008  (formerly  2407/92).  An  operating 
license is an authorization permitting the holder to transport passengers, mail and/or cargo by air. The criteria 
for  granting  an  operating  license  include,  inter  alia,  an  air  carrier‘s  financial  fitness,  the  adequacy  of  its 
insurance,  and  the  fitness  of  the  persons  who  will  manage  the  air  carrier.  In  addition,  in  order  to  obtain  and 
maintain  an  operating  license,  Irish  and  EU  regulations  require  that  (i)  the  air  carrier  must  be  owned  and 
continue  to  be  owned  directly  or  through  majority  ownership  by  EU  member  states  and/or  nationals  of  EU 
member states and (ii) the air carrier must at all times be effectively controlled by such EU member states or EU 
nationals. The CAR has broad authority to revoke an operating license. See ―Item 10. Additional Information––
Limitations  on  Share  Ownership  by  Non-EU  Nationals.‖  See  also  ―Item  3.  Risk  Factors––Risks  Related  to 
Ownership of the Company‘s Ordinary  Shares or ADRs—EU Rules Impose Restrictions on the Ownership of 
Ryanair Holdings‘ Ordinary Shares by Non-EU nationals and the Company has Instituted a Ban on the Purchase 
of Ordinary Shares by Non-EU Nationals‖ above. 

Ryanair‘s current operating license became effective on December 1, 1993, and is subject to periodic 
review.  The  Flight  Operations  Department  is  also  subject  to  ongoing  review  by  the  IAA,  which  reviews  the 
department‘s  audits,  including  flight  audits,  training  audits,  document  audits,  and  quality  audits.  Ryanair‘s 
current Air Operator Certificate No IE 7/94 was issued on January 28, 2014. 

Irish Aviation Authority. The IAA is primarily responsible for the operational and regulatory function 
and services relating to the safety, security and technical aspects of aviation in Ireland. To operate in Ireland and 
the EU, an Irish air carrier is required to hold an air operator‘s certificate granted by the IAA attesting to the air 
carrier‘s operational and technical competence to conduct airline services with specified types of aircraft. The 
IAA has broad authority to amend or revoke an  air operator‘s certificate, with Ryanair‘s ability to continue to 
hold  its  air  operator‘s  certificate  being  subject  to  ongoing  compliance  with  applicable  statutes,  rules  and 
regulations pertaining to the airline industry, including any new rules and regulations that may be adopted in the 
future. 

80 

 
 
 
 
The IAA is also responsible for overseeing and regulating the operations of Irish air carriers. Matters 
within the scope of the IAA‘s regulatory authority include: air safety; aircraft certification;  personnel licensing 
and training; maintenance, manufacture, repair, airworthiness, and operation of aircraft; implementation of EU 
legislation; aircraft noise; aviation security and ground services. Each of the Company‘s aircraft is required to 
have a Certificate of Airworthiness, which is issued by the IAA. The validity of Certificates of Airworthiness is 
subject  to  the  review  by  the  IAA.  Each  certificate  is  generally  valid  for  a  12-month  period.  In  March  2009, 
Ryanair received ―Sub-Part (I) approval‖ from the IAA, which gives Ryanair the authority to extend the validity 
of  its  certificates,  subject  to  certain  record  checks  and  physical  aircraft  inspections  being  performed  by 
Ryanair‘s quality department. The Company‘s flight  personnel, flight and emergency procedures, aircraft, and 
maintenance  facilities  are  subject  to  periodic  inspections  by  the  IAA.  The  IAA  has  broad  regulatory  and 
enforcement powers, including the authority to require reports; inspect the books, records, premises, and aircraft 
of a carrier; and investigate and institute enforcement proceedings. Failure to comply with IAA regulations can 
result in revocation of operating certification.  

In July 1999, the IAA awarded Ryanair an air operator‘s certificate, which is subject to routine audit 
and  review,  in  recognition  of  Ryanair‘s  satisfaction  of  the  relevant  EU  requirements  for  the  operation  of 
commercial air transport (―EU OPS 1‖). The requirements of EU OPS 1 have been incorporated into European 
law as prescribed in Regulation (EEC) 3922/91 and were applied in full on July 16, 2008. All current regulatory 
requirements are addressed in the Ryanair Operations Manual Part A (as amended). The current Manual, Issue 3 
Revision9, was approved by the IAA on October 31, 2013. 

Department  of  Transport,  Tourism  and  Sport.  The  Department  of  Transport,  Tourism  and  Sport 
(―DTTAS‖)  is  responsible  for  implementation  of  certain  EU  and  Irish  legislation  and  international  standards 
relating to air transport. 

In June 2005, the Irish Minister for Transport enacted legislation strengthening rights for air passengers 
following the enactment of EU legislation requiring compensation of airline passengers who have been denied 
boarding on a flight for which they hold a valid ticket (Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004), which came into force 
on  February  17,  2005.  See  ―Item  3.  Risk  Factors—Risks  Related  to  the  Airline  Industry—EU  Regulation  on 
Passenger Compensation Could Significantly Increase Related Costs.‖ 

The  European  Aviation  Safety  Agency.  EASA  is  an  agency  of  the  EU  that  has  been  given  specific 
regulatory and executive tasks in the  field of aviation safety.  EASA  was established through Regulation (EC) 
No. 1592/2002 of the European Parliament and the Council of July 15, 2002, repealed by Basic Regulation (EC) 
216-2008. The purpose of EASA is to draw-up common standards to ensure the highest levels of safety, oversee 
their  uniform application across Europe and promote  them  at the  global level. The EASA  formally started its 
work on  September 28, 2003, taking over the responsibility  for regulating airworthiness,  maintenance and air 
crew issues within the EU member states.  

Eurocontrol.  The  European  Organization  for  the  Safety  of  Air  Navigation  (―Eurocontrol‖)  is  an 
autonomous  European  organization  established  under  the  Eurocontrol  Convention  of  December  13,  1960. 
Eurocontrol is responsible for, inter alia, the safety of air navigation and the collection of route charges for  en 
route  air  navigation  facilities  and  services  throughout  Europe.  Ireland  is  a  party  to  several  international 
agreements concerning Eurocontrol. These agreements have been implemented in Irish law, which provides for 
the  payment  of  charges  to  Eurocontrol  in  respect  of  air  navigation  services  for  aircraft  in  airspace  under  the 
control  of  Eurocontrol.  The  relevant  legislation  imposes  liability  for  the  payment  of  any  charges  upon  the 
operators of the aircraft in respect of which services are provided and upon the owners of such aircraft or the 
managers  of  airports  used  by  such  aircraft.  Ryanair,  as  an  aircraft  operator,  is  primarily  responsible  for  the 
payment to Eurocontrol of charges incurred in relation to its aircraft. 

The legislation authorizes the detention of aircraft in the case of default in the payment of any charge 
for  air  navigation  services  by  the  aircraft  operator  or  the  aircraft  owner,  as  the  case  may  be.  This  power  of 
detention extends to any equipment, stores or documents, which may be onboard the aircraft when it is detained, 
and may result in the possible sale of the aircraft. 

81 

 
 
 
 
European  Commission.  The  European  Commission  is  in  the  process  of  introducing  an  updated 
legislative  package  to  its  ―single  European  sky  policy,‖  called  ―SES2+‖,  which  would  lead  to  changes  to  air 
traffic  management  and  control  within  the  EU.    The  ―single  European  sky  policy‖  currently  consists  of  the 
Framework  Regulation  (Reg.  (EC)  No.  549/2004)  plus  three  technical  regulations  on  the  provision  of  air 
navigation  services,  organization  and  use  of  the  airspace  and  the  inter-operability  of  the  European  air  traffic 
management network. These regulations have recently been amended by the so-called ―Single European Sky II‖ 
regulation  (EU  Regulation  1070/09),  which  focused  on  air traffic  control  (―ATC‖)  performance  and  extended 
the  authority  of  EASA  to  include  Airports  and  Air  Traffic  Management.  The  objective  of  the  policy  is  to 
enhance safety standards and the overall efficiency of air traffic in Europe, as well as to reduce the cost of air 
traffic control services. 

On  September  6,  2005,  the  European  Commission  announced  new  guidelines  on  the  financing  of 
airports and start-up aid to airlines by regional airports based on its February 2004 finding in the Charleroi case, 
a  decision  that  the  EU  Court  of  First  Instance  (―CFI‖)  has  since  annulled  in  December  2008.  The  guidelines 
only apply to publicly owned regional airports, and  place restrictions on the incentives that these airports can 
offer  airlines  to  deliver  traffic.  Ryanair  believes  that  the  CFI‘s  annulment  of  the  Charleroi  decision  severely 
undermines these  guidelines. In  April 2014, the  European Commission  published final revised  guidelines  that 
better  reflect  the  commercial  reality  of  the  liberalized  air  transport  market,  but  still  place  restrictions  on  the 
incentives public airports can offer to airlines delivering traffic, when compared with the commercial freedom 
available to private airports.  

The  European  Union  also  adopted  legislation  on  airport  charges  (EU  Directive  2009/12),  which  was 
originally  intended  to  address  abusive  pricing  at  monopoly  airports.  However,  the  legislation  includes  all 
European airports with over five million passengers per year. Management believes that this will likely increase 
the administrative burdens on smaller airports and may lead to higher airport charges, while the scope that exists 
within this Directive to address abuses of their dominant positions by Europe‘s larger airports is very limited. 
See  ―Item  7.  Major  Shareholders  and  Related-Party  Transactions  Other  Financial  InformationLegal 
ProceedingsEU State Aid-Related Proceedings.‖ 

The European  Union also passed legislation calling  for  increased  transparency in airline fares,  which 
requires the inclusion of all mandatory taxes, fees, and charges in advertised prices. Ryanair currently includes 
this information in its advertised fares in all markets where it operates. However, certain regulatory authorities 
have alleged that some fees applied by airlines, including Ryanair, on an avoidable basis are in fact mandatory. 
Ryanair amended its website to include information on fees in June 2012 and incorporated further changes to 
meet these requirements on its website in August 2012 and December 2012. 

Registration of Aircraft 

Pursuant  to  the  Irish  Aviation  Authority  (Nationality  and  Registration  of  Aircraft)  Order  2002  (the 
―Order‖),  the  IAA  regulates  the  registration  of  aircraft  in  Ireland.  In  order  to  be  registered  or  continue  to  be 
registered in Ireland, an aircraft must be wholly owned by either (i) a citizen of Ireland or a citizen of another 
member state of the EU having a place of residence or business in Ireland or (ii) a company registered in and 
having a place of business  in Ireland and  having its principal place of business in Ireland or another  member 
state  of  the  EU  and  not  less  than  two-thirds  of  the  directors  of  which  are  citizens  of  Ireland  or  of  another 
member state of the EU. As of the date of this report, nine of the ten directors of Ryanair Holdings are citizens 
of  Ireland  or  of  another  member  state  of  the  EU.  An  aircraft  will  also  fulfill  these  conditions  if  it  is  wholly 
owned by such citizens or companies in combination. Notwithstanding the fact that these particular conditions 
may not be met, the IAA retains discretion to register an aircraft in Ireland so long as it is in compliance with 
the other conditions for registration under the Order. Any such registration may, however, be made subject to 
certain  conditions.  In  order  to  be  registered,  an  aircraft  must  also  continue  to  comply  with  any  applicable 
provisions of Irish law. The registration of any aircraft can be cancelled if it is found that it is not in compliance 
with the requirements for registration under the Order and, in particular: (i) if the ownership requirements are 
not met; (ii) if the aircraft has failed to comply with any applicable safety requirements specified by the IAA in 
relation  to  the  aircraft  or  aircraft  of  a  similar  type;  or  (iii) if  the  IAA  decides  in  any  case  that  it  is  not  in  the 
public interest for the aircraft to remain registered in Ireland. 

82 

 
Regulation of Competition 

Competition/Antitrust Law. It is a general principle of EU competition law that no agreement may be 
concluded between two or more separate economic undertakings that prevents, restricts or distorts competition 
in the common market or any part of the common market. Such an arrangement may nevertheless be exempted 
by  the  European  Commission,  on  either  an  individual  or  category  basis.  The  second  general  principle  of  EU 
competition law is that any business or businesses having a dominant position in the EU common market or any 
substantial part of the common market may not abuse such dominant position. Similar competition laws apply at 
national level in EU member states. Ryanair is subject to the application of the general rules of EU competition 
law as well as specific rules on competition in the airline sector.  

An aggrieved person may sue for breach of EU competition law in the courts of a member state and/or 
petition the European Commission for an order to put an end to the breach of competition law. The European 
Commission also may impose fines and daily penalties on businesses and the  courts of the member states may 
award damages and other remedies (such as injunctions) in appropriate circumstances.  

Competition law in Ireland is primarily embodied in the Competition Act 2002. This Act is modeled on 
the  EU  competition  law  system.  The  Irish  rules  generally  prohibit  anti-competitive  arrangements  among 
businesses and prohibit the abuse of a dominant position. These rules are enforced either by public enforcement 
(primarily by the Competition Authority) through both criminal and civil sanctions or by private action in the 
courts. These rules apply to the airline sector, but are subject to EU rules that override any contrary provisions 
of  Irish  competition  law.  Ryanair  has  been  subject  to  an  abuse-of-dominance  investigation  by  the  Irish 
Competition  Authority  in  relation  to  service  between  Dublin  and  Cork.  The  Competition  Authority  closed  its 
investigation in July 2009 with a finding in favor of Ryanair. 

State  Aid.  The  EU  rules  control  aid  granted  by  member  states  to  businesses  on  a  selective  or 
discriminatory basis. The EU Treaty prevents member states from granting such aid unless approved in advance 
by  the  EU.  Any  such  grant  of  state  aid  to  an  airline  is  subject  to  challenge  before  the  EU  or,  in  certain 
circumstances, national courts. If aid is held to have  been unlawfully granted it  may  have  to be repaid by the 
airline  to  the  granting  member  state,  together  with  interest  thereon.  See  ―Item  3.  Key  InformationRisk 
FactorsRisks Related to the Company—The Company Is Subject to Legal Proceedings Alleging State Aid at 
Certain Airports‖ and ―Item 8. Financial InformationOther Financial InformationLegal Proceedings.‖ 

Environmental Regulation 

Aircraft Noise Regulations. Ryanair is subject to international, national and, in some cases, local noise 
regulation standards. EU and Irish regulations have required that all aircraft operated by Ryanair comply with 
Stage  3  noise  requirements  since  April  1,  2002.  All  of  Ryanair‘s  aircraft  currently  comply  with  these 
regulations.  Certain  airports  in  the  U.K.  (including  London  Stansted  and  London  Gatwick)  and  continental 
Europe have established local noise restrictions, including limits on the number of hourly or daily operations or 
the time of such operations. 

Company  Facilities.  Environmental  controls  are  generally  imposed  under  Irish  law  through  property 
planning legislation, specifically the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts of 1963 to 1999, the 
Planning and Development Act 2000 and regulations made there under. At Dublin Airport, Ryanair operates on 
land controlled by the DAA. Planning permission for its facilities has been granted in accordance with both the 
zoning  and  planning  requirements  of  Dublin  Airport.  There  is  also  specific  Irish  environmental  legislation 
implementing applicable EU directives and regulations, to which Ryanair adheres. From time to time, noxious 
or potentially toxic substances are held on a  temporary basis  within Ryanair‘s engineering  facilities at Dublin 
Airport,  Glasgow  (Prestwick),  London  (Stansted),  Frankfurt  (Hahn),  Stockholm  (Skavsta),  Oslo  (Rygge)  and 
Kaunas.  However,  at  all  times  Ryanair‘s  storage  and  handling  of  these  substances  complies  with  the  relevant 
regulatory  requirements.  At  Ryanair‘s  Glasgow  (Prestwick)  and  London  (Stansted)  maintenance  facilities,  all 
normal waste is removed in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act of 1996 and Duty of Care Waste 
Regulations.  For  special  waste  removal,  Ryanair  operates  under  the  Special  Waste  Regulations  1998.  At  all 
other facilities Ryanair adheres to all local and EU regulations.  

83 

 
 
 
Ryanair’s  Policy  on  Noise  and  Emissions.  Ryanair  is  committed  to  reducing  emissions  and  noise 
through  investments  in  ―next  generation‖  aircraft  and  engine  technologies  and  the  implementation  of  certain 
operational and commercial decisions to minimize the environmental impact of its operations. According to the 
Air Travel Carbon and Energy Efficiency Report published by Brighter Planet, Ryanair is the industry leader in 
terms of environmental efficiency, and the Company is constantly working towards improving its performance. 

In  December  2005,  Ryanair  completed  the  fleet  replacement  program  it  commenced  in  1999.  All  of 
Ryanair‘s  older  Boeing  737-200A  aircraft  were  replaced  with  Boeing  737-800  ―next  generation‖  aircraft,  and 
Ryanair now operates a single-aircraft-type fleet of Boeing 737-800 ―next generation‖ aircraft with an average 
age of just over 5.5 years. The design of the new aircraft is aimed at minimizing drag, thereby reducing the rate 
of fuel burn and noise levels. The engines are also quieter and more fuel-efficient. Furthermore, by moving to an 
all Boeing 737-800 ―next generation‖ fleet, Ryanair reduced the unit emissions per passenger due to the inherent 
capacity  increase  in  the  Boeing  737-800  aircraft.  The  Boeing  737-800  ―next  generation‖  aircraft  have  a 
significantly  superior  fuel-burn  to  passenger-kilometer  ratio  than  Ryanair‘s  former  fleet  of  Boeing  737-200A 
aircraft. See ―—Aircraft‖ above for details on Ryanair‘s fleet plan. 

Ryanair has also installed winglets on all of its existing aircraft and all future aircraft will also be fitted 
with  winglets. Winglets reduce both the  rate  of fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 4% 
and also reduce noise emissions.  

In addition, Ryanair has distinctive operational characteristics that management believes are helpful to 

the general environment. In particular, Ryanair: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

operates with a high-seat density of 189 seats and an all-economy configuration, as opposed to the 
162 seats and two-class configuration of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft used by traditional network 
airlines, reducing fuel burn and emissions per seat-kilometer flown;  

has reduced per-passenger emissions through higher load factors; 

better  utilizes  existing  infrastructure  by  operating  out  of  underutilized  secondary  and  regional 
airports  throughout  Europe,  which  limits  the  use  of  holding  patterns  and  taxiing  times,  thus 
reducing fuel burn and emissions and reducing the need for new airport infrastructure;  

provides direct services as opposed to connecting flights, in order to limit the need for passengers 
to transfer at main hubs and thus reduces the number of take-offs and landings per journey from 
four to two, reducing fuel burn and emissions per journey;  

has no late-night departures of aircraft, reducing the impact of noise emissions; and  

is currently evaluating the benefits of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, a variant of the 737, with new 
more fuel-efficient engines. 

Emissions Trading. On November 19, 2008, the European Council of Ministers adopted legislation to 
add aviation to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme as of 2012. This scheme, which has thus far applied mainly 
to energy producers, is a cap-and-trade system for CO2 emissions to encourage industries to improve their CO2 
efficiency. Under the legislation, airlines were granted initial CO2 allowances based on historical ―revenue ton 
kilometers‖  and  a  CO2  efficiency  benchmark.  Any  shortage  of  allowances  has  to  be  purchased  in  the  open 
market  and/or  at  government  auctions.  Management  believes  that  this  legislation  is  likely  to  have  a  negative 
impact on the European airline industry. Ryanair takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and intends to 
continue  to  improve  its  environmental  efficiency  and  to  minimize  emissions.  Under  Regulation  7  of  The  UK 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors‘ Report) Regulations 2013, Ryanair is obliged to state its 
annual quantity of emissions in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Ryanair‘s EU Emissions Trading Scheme 
monitoring, reporting and allowance surrender obligations are mandated on a calendar year basis. For calendar 
year 2013, Ryanair emitted 7,649,120 tCO2, which equates to 0.094 tCO2 per passenger.  

84 

 
 
 
 
Aviation Taxes. Ryanair is fundamentally opposed to the introduction of any  aviation taxes, including 
any environmental taxes, fuel taxes or emissions levies. Ryanair has and continues to offer the lowest fares in 
Europe, to make passenger air travel affordable and accessible to European consumers. Ryanair believes that the 
imposition of additional taxes on airlines will not only increase airfares, but will discourage new entrants into 
the market, resulting in less choice for consumers. Ryanair believes this would ultimately have adverse effects 
on  the  European  economy  in  general.  There  is  in  particular  no  justification  for  any  environmental  taxes  on 
aviation following the introduction of the Emissions Trading Scheme for airlines. 

As a company, Ryanair believes in free market competition and that the imposition of aviation taxation 
would favor the less efficient flag carriers – which generally have smaller and older aircraft, lower load factors, 
and a  much higher  fuel burn per passenger, and  which operate  primarily into congested airports  – and reduce 
competition. Furthermore, the introduction of a tax at a European level only would distort competition between 
airlines  operating  solely  within  Europe  and  those  operating  also  outside  of  Europe.  We  believe  that  the 
introduction of such a tax would also be incompatible with international law. 

Airport charges 

The EU Airport Charges Directive of March 2009 sets forth general principles that are to be followed 
by airports  with  more than  five  million passenger per annum, and all capital city airports irrespective of their 
passenger  throughput,  when  setting  airport  charges,  and  provides  for  an  appeals  procedure  for  airlines  in  the 
event they are not satisfied with the level of charges. However, Ryanair does not believe that this procedure will 
be  effective  or  that  it  will  constrain  those  airports  that  are  currently  abusing  their  dominant  position,  in  part 
because  the  legislation  was  mis-transposed  in  certain  countries,  such  as  Ireland  and  Spain,  so  as  to  deprive 
airlines of even the basic  safeguards provided for in the  Directive. This legislation  may in fact lead to  higher 
airport  charges,  depending  on  how  its  provisions  are  applied  by  EU  member  states  and  subsequently  by  the 
courts.  

Slots 

Currently, the majority of Ryanair‘s bases of operations have no ―slot‖ allocation restrictions; however, 
traffic at a substantial number of the airports Ryanair serves, including its primary bases are regulated by means 
of ―slot‖ allocations, which represent authorizations to take off or land at a particular airport within a specified 
time period. In addition, EU law currently regulates the acquisition, transfer, and loss of slots. Applicable EU 
regulations  currently  prohibit  the  buying  or  selling  of  slots  for  cash.  The  European  Commission  adopted  a 
regulation  in  April  2004  (Regulation  (EC)  No.  793/2004)  that  made  some  minor  amendments  to  the  current 
allocation system, allowing for limited transfers of, but not trading in, slots. Slots may be transferred from one 
route to another by the same carrier, transferred within a group or as part of a change of control of a carrier, or 
swapped between carriers. In April 2008, the European Commission issued a communication on the application 
of the slot allocation regulation, signaling the acceptance of secondary trading of airport slots between airlines. 
This is expected to allow more flexibility and mobility in the use of slots and will further enhance possibilities 
for  market  entry  at  slot  constrained  airports.  Any  future  legislation  that  might  create  an  official  secondary 
market  for  slots  could  create  a  potential  source  of  revenue  for  certain  of  Ryanair‘s  current  and  potential 
competitors,  many  of  which  have  many  more  slots  allocated  at  primary  airports  at  present  than  Ryanair.  The 
European Commission proposed a revision to the slots legislation reflecting the principle of secondary trading, 
which is currently being negotiated by the EU institutions, and will not be finalized before the middle of 2014. 
Slot values depend on several factors, including the airport, time of day covered, the availability of slots and the 
class of aircraft. Ryanair‘s ability to gain access to and develop its operations at slot-controlled airports will be 
affected by the availability of slots for takeoffs and landings at these specific airports. New entrants to an airport 
are  currently  given  certain  privileges  in  terms  of  obtaining  slots,  but  such  privileges  are  subject  to  the 
grandfathered rights of existing operators that are utilizing their slots. There is no assurance that Ryanair will be 
able to obtain a sufficient number of slots at the slot-controlled airports that it desires to serve in the future at the 
time it needs them or on acceptable terms. 

85 

 
 
 
Other 

Health and occupational safety issues relating to the Company are largely addressed in Ireland by the 
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and other regulations under that act. Although licenses or permits 
are  not  issued  under  such  legislation,  compliance  is  monitored  by  the  Health  and  Safety  Authority  (the 
―Authority‖), which is the regulating body in this area. The Authority periodically reviews Ryanair‘s health and 
safety record and when appropriate, issues improvement notices or prohibition notices. Ryanair has responded 
to  all  such  notices  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Authority.  Other  safety  issues  are  covered  by  the  Irish  Aviation 
Orders, which may vary from time to time.  

The Company‘s operations are subject to the general laws of Ireland and, insofar as they are applicable 
in Ireland, the laws of the EU. The Company may also become subject to additional regulatory requirements in 
the  future.  The  Company  is  also  subject  to  local  laws  and  regulations  at  locations  where  it  operates  and  the 
regulations of various local authorities that operate the airports it serves. 

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY 

For  certain  information  about  each  of  the  Company‘s  key  facilities,  see  ―—Facilities‖  above. 

Management believes that the Company‘s facilities are suitable for its needs and are well maintained. 

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments 

There are no unresolved staff comments. 

Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects 

The  following  discussion  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  audited  consolidated  financial 
statements of the Company and the notes thereto included in Item 18. Those consolidated financial statements 
have been prepared in accordance with IFRS.  

HISTORY 

Ryanair‘s current business strategy dates to the early 1990s, when a new management team, including 
the current chief executive, commenced the restructuring of Ryanair‘s operations to become a low-fares airline 
based  on  the  low-cost  operating  model  pioneered  by  Southwest  Airlines  Co.  in  the  United  States.  During  the 
period  between  1992  and  1994,  Ryanair  expanded  its  route  network  to  include  scheduled  passenger  services 
between Dublin and Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow (Prestwick). In 1994, Ryanair began standardizing 
its fleet by purchasing used Boeing 737-200A aircraft to replace substantially all of its leased aircraft. Beginning 
in  1996,  Ryanair  continued  to  expand  its  service  from  Dublin  to  new  provincial  destinations  in  the  U.K.  In 
August 1996, Irish Air, L.P., an investment vehicle led by David Bonderman and certain of his associates at the 
Texas Pacific Group, acquired a minority interest in the Company. Ryanair Holdings completed its initial public 
offering in June 1997. 

From  1997  through  June  30,  2014,  Ryanair  launched  service  on  more  than  1,600  routes  throughout 
Europe and also increased the frequency of service on a  number of its principal routes. During that period, in 
addition  to  Dublin,  Ryanair  established  69  airports  as  bases  of  operations.  See  ―Item  4.  Information  on  the 
Company—Route System, Scheduling and Fares‖ for a list of these bases. Ryanair has increased the number of 
booked passengers from approximately 4.9 million in the 1999 fiscal year to approximately 81.7 million in the 
2014 fiscal  year. Ryanair had a principal fleet of 297 Boeing 737-800 aircraft and  5 additional leased aircraft 
acquired on short term leases for the summer of 2014 to provide extra capacity, and now serves approximately 
186 airports.  

Ryanair  expects  to  have  approximately  426  aircraft  in  its  operating  fleet  by  March  31, 2019. This  is 
subject to lease handbacks and disposals over the period to March 31, 2019 meeting current expectations. See 
―Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources‖  and  ―Item  4.  Information  on  the  CompanyAircraft‖  for  additional 
details. 

86 

 
 
 
BUSINESS OVERVIEW 

Since  Ryanair  pioneered  its  low  cost  operating  model  in  Europe  in  the  early  1990s,  its  passenger 
volumes  and  scheduled  passenger  revenues  have  increased  significantly  because  it  has  substantially  increased 
capacity and demand  has been  sufficient to  match the increased capacity.  Ryanair‘s annual booked passenger 
volume  has  grown  from  approximately  945,000  passengers  in  the  calendar  year  1992  to  approximately  81.7 
million passengers in the 2014 fiscal year. 

Ryanair‘s revenue passenger miles (―RPMs‖) increased approximately 8% from 59,865.6 million in the 
2013 fiscal year to 64,470.4 million in the 2014 fiscal year due primarily to an increase of approximately 7% in 
scheduled available seat miles (―ASMs‖) from 72,829.9 million in the 2013 fiscal year to 77,916.5 million in the 
2014 fiscal year. Scheduled passenger revenues decreased approximately 1% from €3,819.8 million in the 2013 
fiscal year to €3,789.5 million in the 2014 fiscal year. Average booked passenger fare decreased from €48.20 in 
the 2013 fiscal year to €46.40 in the 2014 fiscal year.  

Expanding  passenger  volumes  and  capacity,  high  load  factors  and  aggressive  cost  containment  have 
enabled Ryanair to continue to generate operating profits despite increasing price competition and increases in 
certain costs. Ryanair‘s total break-even load factor was 70% in the 2013 fiscal year and 72% in the 2014 fiscal 
year. Cost per passenger was €52.56 in the 2013 fiscal year and €53.61 in the 2014 fiscal year, with the increase 
primarily reflecting the higher fuel cost per passenger of €24.65 in the 2014 fiscal year, as compared to €23.79 
in the 2013 fiscal year. Ryanair recorded operating profits of €718.2 million in the 2013 fiscal year and €658.6 
million in the 2014 fiscal year. The Company recorded a profit after taxation of €569.3 million in the 2013 fiscal 
year and profit after taxation of €522.8 million in the 2014 fiscal year. Ryanair will take delivery of 11 Boeing 
737-800 aircraft in 2015 fiscal year and expects that these deliveries, along with its plan to ground fewer aircraft 
in the winter of 2015 fiscal year and increased load factors will allow for an approximately 4% increase in fiscal 
2015  traffic  See  ―Item  3.  Key  Information—Risk  Factors—Risks  Related  to  the  Company—  Ryanair  Has 
Decided to Seasonally Ground Aircraft.‖ 

Investment in Aer Lingus 

The Company owns 29.8% of Aer Lingus, which it acquired in fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009 at a 
total cost of €407.2 million. Following the approval of its shareholders, management proposed in the 2007 fiscal 
year  to  effect  a  tender  offer  to  acquire  the  entire  share  capital  of  Aer  Lingus.  This  2006  offer  was,  however, 
prohibited by the European Commission on competition grounds in June 2007. Ryanair‘s management viewed 
the acquisition of Aer Lingus in the context of the overall trend of consolidation among airlines in Europe and 
believed that the acquisition would lead to the formation of one strong Irish airline group able to compete with 
large  carriers  such  as  Lufthansa,  Air  France/KLM  and  British  Airways/Iberia  (now  ―International  Airlines 
Group‖).  During  the  EU  competition  review,  the  Company  made  a  commitment  that  if  the  acquisition  was 
approved, Ryanair would eliminate Aer Lingus‘ fuel surcharges and reduce its fares, which would have resulted 
in  Aer  Lingus  passengers  saving  approximately  €100  million  per  year.  The  Company  was  therefore 
disappointed by the European Commission‘s decision to prohibit this offer. This decision was the first adverse 
decision taken in respect of any EU airline merger and the first-ever adverse decision in respect of a proposed 
merger of two companies with less than 5% of the EU market for their services. Ryanair filed an appeal with the 
CFI, which was heard in July 2009. On July 6, 2010, the CFI upheld the Commission‘s decision.  

In  October  2007,  the  European  Commission  also  reached  a  formal  decision  that  it  would  not  force 
Ryanair to sell its shares in Aer Lingus. Aer Lingus appealed this decision before the CFI. This case was heard 
in July 2009 and on July 6, 2010 the court rejected Aer Lingus‘ appeal and confirmed that Ryanair cannot be 
forced  to  dispose  of  its  29.8%  stake  in  Aer  Lingus  under  the  European  Merger  Regulation.  However,  EU 
legislation may change in the future to require such a forced disposition. If eventually forced to dispose of its 
stake in Aer Lingus, Ryanair could suffer significant losses due to the negative impact on  market prices of the 
forced sale of such a significant portion of Aer Lingus‘ shares. 

87 

 
 
 
On December 1, 2008, Ryanair made a new offer to acquire all of the ordinary shares of Aer Lingus it 
did not own at a price of €1.40 per ordinary share. Ryanair offered to keep Aer Lingus as a separate company, 
maintain the Aer Lingus brand, and retain its Heathrow slots and connectivity. Ryanair also proposed to double 
Aer  Lingus‘  short-haul  fleet  from  33  to  66  aircraft  and  to  create  1,000  associated  new  jobs  over  a  five-year 
period. If the offer had been accepted, the Irish government would have received over €180 million in cash. The 
employee share ownership trust and employees, who owned 18% of Aer Lingus, would have received over €137 
million in cash. The Company met Aer Lingus management, representatives of the employee share  ownership 
trust and other parties, including members of the Irish Government. The offer of  €1.40 per share represented a 
premium of approximately 25% over the closing price of  €1.12 for Aer Lingus shares on November 28, 2008. 
As the Company was unable to secure the shareholders‘ support, it decided on January 28, 2009 to withdraw its 
offer for Aer Lingus. 

The United Kingdom‘s Office of Fair Trading (―OFT‖) wrote to Ryanair in September 2010, advising 
that  it  intended  to  investigate  Ryanair‘s  minority  stake  in  Aer  Lingus.  Ryanair  objected  on  the  basis  that  the 
OFT‘s investigation was time-barred. Ryanair contended that the OFT had the opportunity, which it missed, to 
investigate Ryanair‘s minority stake within four months from the European Commission‘s June 2007 decision to 
prohibit  Ryanair‘s  takeover  of  Aer  Lingus.  The  OFT  agreed  in  October  2010  to  suspend  its  investigation 
pending  the  outcome  of  Ryanair‘s  appeal  against  the  OFT‘s  decision  that  its  investigation  is  within  time.  On 
July 28, 2011, the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled that the OFT was not time barred when it attempted in 
September 2010 to open an investigation into Ryanair‘s 2006 acquisition of a minority non-controlling stake in 
Aer  Lingus.    Ryanair  subsequently  appealed  the  Competition  Appeal  Tribunal‘s  decision.    On  November  24, 
2011, the UK Court of Appeal ordered a stay of the OFT‘s investigation pending the Courts review of whether 
the OFT‘s investigation was time barred.  On May 22, 2012, the UK Court of Appeal found that the OFT was 
not time barred to investigate Ryanair‘s minority stake in Aer Lingus in September 2010.  Ryanair subsequently 
sought  permission  to  appeal  that  ruling  to  the  UK  Supreme  Court,  but  permission  was  refused.  On  June  15, 
2012,  the  OFT  referred  the  investigation  of  Ryanair‘s  minority  stake  in  Aer  Lingus  to  the  UK  Competition 
Commission.  On  August  28,  2013,  the  UKCC  issued  its  final  decision  in  which  it  stated  that  Ryanair‘s 
shareholding  ―gave  it  the  ability  to  exercise  material  influence  over  Aer  Lingus‖  and  ―had  led  or  may  be 
expected  to  lead  to  a  substantial  lessening  of  competition  in  the  markets  for  air  passenger  services  between 
Great Britain and Ireland.‖  As a result of its findings, the UKCC ordered Ryanair to reduce its shareholding in 
Aer  Lingus  to  below  5  percent  of  Aer  Lingus‘  issued  ordinary  shares.    Ryanair  appealed  the  UKCC‘s  final 
decision to the CAT on September 23, 2013.  The CAT rejected Ryanair‘s appeal on March 7, 2014.  On April 
23,  2014,  the  CAT  granted  Ryanair  permission  to  appeal  the  CAT‘s  judgment  to  the  UK  Court  of  Appeal.  
Should this appeal, or any subsequent appeal to the  UK Supreme Court be unsuccessful, Ryanair could suffer 
losses due to the negative impact on market prices of the forced sale of such a significant portion of Aer Lingus‘ 
shares.    Ryanair  believes  that  the  enforcement  of  any  such  decision  should  be  delayed  until  the  outcome  of 
Ryanair‘s  appeal  against  the  European  Commission‘s  February  2013  prohibition  decision  of  Ryanair‘s  2012 
offer for Aer Lingus, as described below, and the conclusion of any appeals against the UKCC‘s decision in the 
UK courts.  However, it is possible that the UKCC will seek to enforce any such sell-down remedy at an earlier 
date.   

On June 19, 2012, Ryanair made a third offer to acquire all of the ordinary shares of Aer Lingus it did 
not  own  at  a  price  of  €1.30 per  ordinary  share.    The  timing  of  the  offer  was  influenced  by:  (i)  the  continued 
consolidation of European airlines, and more recently the International Airlines Group (the parent company of 
British Airways) takeover of British Midland International, where the No. 1 airline at Heathrow was allowed to 
acquire  the  No. 2; (ii) the additional capacity available at  Dublin airport following the  opening of Terminal 2 
and the decline in traffic from 23.3 million passengers per annum in 2007 to 18.7 million in 2011, has resulted 
in Dublin airport operating at approximately 50% capacity; (iii) the change in the Irish government policy since 
2006 in that the Irish government indicated that it had decided to sell its stake in Aer Lingus; (iv) the fact that 
under the terms of the bailout agreement  provided by the European Commission, European Central Bank and 
the International Monetary Fund to Ireland, the Irish government committed to sell its stake in Aer Lingus; (v) 
the  fact  that  the  ESOT  (Employee  Share  Ownership  Trust),  which  at  the  time  of  the  unsuccessful  2006  offer 
controlled  15%  of  Aer  Lingus,  had  been  disbanded  since  December  2010  and  the  shares  distributed  to  the 
individual members, with the result that Ryanair‘s new offer was, in Ryanair‘s view, capable of reaching over 
50%  acceptance  either  with  or  without  government  acceptance;  and  (vi)  the  fact  that  Etihad,  an  Abu  Dhabi 
based  airline,  had  recently  acquired  a  3%  stake  in  Aer  Lingus  and  had  expressed  an  interest  in  buying  the 
government‘s  25%  stake  in  Aer  Lingus  (the  offer  therefore  provided  Etihad  or  any  other  potential  bidder  the 
opportunity to purchase the government‘s stake).  

88 

 
Ryanair offered to keep Aer Lingus as a separate company, maintain the Aer Lingus brand, and to grow 
its traffic from 9.5 million to over 14.5 million passengers over a five year period post acquisition, by growing 
Aer  Lingus‘  short  haul  traffic  at  some  of  Europe‘s  major  airports  where  Aer  Lingus  currently  operates  and 
Ryanair  does  not.  Ryanair  also  intended  to  increase  Aer  Lingus‘  transatlantic  traffic  from  Ireland,  which  has 
fallen  in  recent  years,  by  investing  in  operations.  If  the  offer  was  accepted,  the  Irish  government  would  have 
received €173 million in cash. The offer of €1.30 per share represented a premium of approximately 38% over 
the closing price of €0.94 for Aer Lingus shares as of June 19, 2012. The offer was conditional on competition 
approval by the European Commission. However, on February 27, 2013, the European Commission prohibited 
the acquisition by Ryanair of the remaining share capital of Aer Lingus. Ryanair appealed this prohibition to the 
EU General Court on May 8, 2013. A judgment in this appeal is expected in 2015. 

The available-for-sale financial asset balance sheet value of €260.3 million reflects the market value of 
the Company‘s stake in Aer Lingus as of March 31, 2014, as compared to a value of €221.2 million as of March 
31,  2013.  In  accordance  with  the  company‘s  accounting  policy,  this  investment  is  held  at  fair  value.  This 
investment is classified as available-for-sale, rather than as an investment in an associate, because the Company 
does not have the power to exercise any influence over Aer Lingus. The increase in the amount of the available 
for sale financial asset from €221.2 million at March 31, 2013 to €260.3 million at March 31, 2014 is comprised 
of  a  gain  of  €39.1  million,  recognized  through  other  comprehensive  income,  reflecting  the  increase  in  Aer 
Lingus‘  share  price  from  €1.39  per  share  at  March  31,  2013  to  €1.64  per  share  at  March  31,  2014.  All 
impairment losses are required to be recognized in the income statement for investments in an equity instrument 
classified  for  available  for  sale  and  are  not  subsequently  reversed,  while  gains  are  recognized  through  other 
comprehensive income.  The investment had in prior periods been impaired to €0.50 per share.   

The Company's determination that it does not have control, or even exercise a ―significant influence,‖ 

over Aer Lingus through its minority shareholding has been based on the following factors:  

(i) Ryanair does not have any representation on the Aer Lingus Board of Directors; nor does it have a right to 
appoint a director; 

(ii) Ryanair does not participate in Aer Lingus policy-making decisions; nor does it have a right to participate in 
such policy-making decisions; 

(iii) There are no material transactions between  Ryanair and Aer Lingus, there is no interchange of  personnel 
between the two companies and there is no sharing of technical information between the companies; 

(iv) Aer Lingus and its significant shareholder (the Irish government: 25.1%) have historically openly opposed 
Ryanair‘s investment or participation in the company; 

(v)  In 2007, 2009 and 2010, Aer Lingus refused Ryanair‘s attempt to assert its statutory right to requisition a 
general meeting (a legal right of any 5% shareholder under Irish law); 

(vi) On April 15, 2011, the High Court in Dublin ruled that Aer Lingus was not obliged to accede to Ryanair‘s 
request that two additional resolutions (on the payment of a dividend and on payments to pension schemes) be 
put to vote at Aer Lingus‘ annual general meeting; and 

(vii) The European Commission has formally found that Ryanair‘s shareholding in Aer Lingus does not grant 
Ryanair ―de jure or de facto control of Aer Lingus‖ and that ―Ryanair‘s rights as a minority shareholder…are 
associated exclusively to rights related to the protection of minority shareholders‖ (Commission Decision Case 
No. COMP/M.4439 dated October 11, 2007). The European Commission‘s finding has been confirmed by the 
European Union's General Court  which issued a decision on July 6, 2010 that the European Commission  was 
justified  to  use  the  required  legal  and  factual  standard  in  its  refusal  to  order  Ryanair  to  divest  its  minority 
shareholding in Aer Lingus and that, as part of that decision, Ryanair‘s shareholding did not confer control of 
Aer Lingus (Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) Case No. T-411/07 dated July 6, 2010). 

89 

 
 
 
Historical Results Are Not Predictive of Future Results  

The historical results of operations discussed herein may not be indicative of Ryanair‘s future operating 
performance. Ryanair‘s future results of operations will be  affected by, among other things, overall passenger 
traffic volume; the availability of new airports for expansion; fuel prices; the airline pricing environment in a 
period  of  increased  competition;  the  ability  of  Ryanair  to  finance  its  planned  acquisition  of  aircraft  and  to 
discharge the resulting debt service obligations; economic and political conditions in Ireland, the U.K. and the 
EU;  terrorist  threats  or  attacks  within  the  EU;  seasonal  variations  in  travel;  developments  in  government 
regulations,  litigation  and  labor  relations;  foreign  currency  fluctuations,  the  impact  of  the  banking  crisis  and 
potential break-up of the euro; competition and the public‘s perception regarding the safety of low-fares airlines; 
the  value  of its equity stake in  Aer  Lingus; changes in aircraft acquisition, leasing, and other operating costs; 
flight interruptions caused by volcanic ash emissions or other atmospheric disruptions; flight disruptions caused 
by periodic and prolonged air traffic controller strikes in Europe;  the rates of income and corporate taxes paid, 
and the impact of the financial and Eurozone crisis. Ryanair expects its depreciation, staff and fuel charges to 
increase as additional aircraft and related flight equipment are acquired. Future fuel costs may also increase as a 
result  of  the  depletion  of  petroleum  reserves,  the  shortage  of  fuel  production  capacity  and/or  production 
restrictions imposed by fuel oil producers. Maintenance expenses may also increase as a result of Ryanair‘s fleet 
expansion and replacement program. In addition, the financing of new Boeing 737-800 aircraft will increase the 
total amount of the Company‘s outstanding debt and the payments it is obliged to  make to service  such debt. 
The cost of insurance coverage for certain third-party liabilities arising from ―acts of war‖ or terrorism increased 
dramatically following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Although Ryanair currently passes on increased 
insurance costs to passengers by means of a special ―insurance levy‖ on each ticket, there can be no assurance 
that  it  will  continue  to  be  successful  in  doing  so.  See  ―Item  3.  Key  Information—Risk  Factors—The  2001 
Terrorist Attacks on the United States Had a Severe Negative Impact on the International Airline Industry.‖ 

RECENT OPERATING RESULTS 

The Company‘s profit after tax for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 (the first quarter of the Company‘s 
2014 fiscal year) was €196.8 million, as compared to €78.1 million for the corresponding period of the previous 
year. The Company recorded an increase in operating profit, from €103.3 million in the first quarter of the 2014 
fiscal  year  to  €231.8  million  in  the  recently  completed  quarter.  Total  operating  revenues  increased  from 
€1,342.2  million  in  the  first  quarter  of  2014  to  €1,495.7  million  in  the  first  quarter  of  2015.  The  increase  in 
operating profit was primarily due to a  9% increase in average fares and a stronger load factor (up 4 points to 
86%) and a 2% increase in total operating expenses. Operating expenses increased from €1,238.9 million in the 
first quarter of 2014 to €1,263.9 million in the first quarter of 2015, due primarily to the 2% decrease  in fuel 
costs and an increase in other operating costs associated with a higher level of activity in line with the growth of 
the airline. The Company‘s cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and financial assets with terms of less than 
three  months  amounted  to  €4,483.3  million  at  June  30,  2014  as  compared  with  €3,592.7  million  at  June  30, 
2013. 

90 

 
 
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

The  following  discussion  and  analysis  of  Ryanair‘s  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations  is 
based on its consolidated financial statements, which are included in Item 18 and prepared in accordance with 
IFRS.  

The  preparation of the  Company‘s  financial statements requires  the use of estimates,  judgments, and 
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and 
the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the  periods  presented.  Actual  results  may  differ  from 
these estimates.  

The Company believes that its critical accounting policies, which are those that require management‘s 
most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, are those described in this section. These critical accounting 
policies,  the  judgments  and  other  uncertainties  affecting  application  of  these  policies  and  the  sensitivity  of 
reported  results  to  changes  in  conditions  and  assumptions  are  factors  to  be  considered  in  reviewing  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  included  in  Item  18  and  the  discussion  and  analysis  below.  For  additional 
detail  on  these  policies,  see  Note  1,  ―Basis  of  preparation  and  significant  accounting  policies,‖  to  the 
consolidated financial statements included in Item 18.  

Long-lived Assets 

As  of  March  31,  2014,  Ryanair  had  €5.1  billion  of  long-lived  assets,  virtually  all  of  which  were 
aircraft. In accounting for long-lived assets, Ryanair must make estimates about the expected useful lives of the 
assets, the expected residual values of the assets, and the potential for impairment based on the fair value of the 
assets and the cash flows they generate. 

In estimating the lives and expected residual values of its aircraft, Ryanair has primarily relied on its 
own and industry experience, recommendations from Boeing, the manufacturer of all of the Company‘s aircraft, 
valuations from appraisers and other available marketplace information. Subsequent revisions to these estimates, 
which can be significant, could be caused by changes to Ryanair‘s maintenance program, changes in utilization 
of  the  aircraft,  governmental  regulations  on  aging  of  aircraft,  changes  in  new  aircraft  technology,  changes  in 
governmental and environmental taxes, changes in new aircraft fuel efficiency and changing market prices for 
new  and  used  aircraft  of  the  same  or  similar  types.  Ryanair  evaluates  its  estimates  and  assumptions  in  each 
reporting period, and,  when  warranted, adjusts these assumptions. Generally,  these adjustments are accounted 
for on a prospective basis, through depreciation expense. 

Ryanair  periodically  evaluates  its  long-lived  assets  for  impairment.  Factors  that  would  indicate 
potential  impairment  would  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  significant  decreases  in  the  market  value  of  an 
aircraft, a significant change in an aircraft‘s physical condition and operating or cash flow losses associated with 
the use of the aircraft. While the airline industry as a whole has experienced many of these factors from time to 
time, Ryanair has not yet been seriously impacted and continues to record positive cash flows from these long-
lived assets. Consequently, Ryanair  has not yet identified any impairments related to its existing aircraft fleet. 
The Company will continue to monitor its long-lived assets and the general airline operating environment.  

The Company‘s estimate of the recoverable amount of aircraft residual values is 15% of current market 
value  of  new  aircraft,  determined  periodically,  based  on  independent  valuations  and  actual  aircraft  disposals 
during  prior  periods.  Aircraft  are  depreciated  over  a  useful  life  of  23  years  from  the  date  of  manufacture  to 
residual value. 

Heavy Maintenance 

An  element  of  the  cost  of  an  acquired  aircraft  is  attributed,  on  acquisition,  to  its  service  potential, 

reflecting the maintenance condition of the engines and airframe.  

91 

 
 
 
For aircraft held under operating lease agreements, Ryanair is contractually committed to either return 
the  aircraft  in  a  certain  condition  or  to  compensate  the  lessor  based  on  the  actual  condition  of  the  airframe, 
engines and life-limited parts upon return. In order to fulfill such conditions of the lease,  maintenance, in the 
form  of  major  airframe  overhaul,  engine  maintenance  checks,  and  restitution  of  major  life-limited  parts,  is 
required  to  be  performed  during  the  period  of  the  lease  and  upon  return  of  the  aircraft  to  the  lessor.  The 
estimated  airframe  and  engine  maintenance  costs  and  the  costs  associated  with  the  restitution  of  major  life-
limited parts, are accrued and charged to profit or loss over the lease term for this contractual obligation, based 
on the present value of the estimated future cost of the major airframe overhaul, engine maintenance checks and 
restitution of major life-limited parts, calculated by reference to the number of hours flown or cycles operated 
during the year. 

Ryanair‘s  aircraft  operating  lease  agreements  typically  have  a  term  of  seven  years,  which  closely 
correlates  with the timing of  heavy  maintenance checks.  The contractual obligation to  maintain and replenish 
aircraft  held  under  operating  lease  exists  independently  of  any  future  actions  within  the  control  of  Ryanair. 
While Ryanair may, in very limited circumstances, sub-lease its aircraft, it remains fully liable to perform all of 
its contractual obligations under the ‗head lease‘ notwithstanding any such sub-leasing. 

Both of these elements of accounting policies involve the use of estimates in determining the quantum 
of both the initial maintenance asset and/or the amount of provisions to be recorded and the respective periods 
over which such amounts are charged to income. In making such estimates, Ryanair has primarily relied on its 
own and industry experience, industry regulations and recommendations from Boeing; however, these estimates 
can be subject to revision, depending on a number of factors, such as the timing of the planned maintenance, the 
ultimate  utilization  of  the  aircraft,  changes  to  government  regulations  and  increases  or  decreases  in  estimated 
costs. Ryanair evaluates its estimates and assumptions in each reporting period and, when warranted, adjusts its 
assumptions,  which  generally  impact  maintenance  and  depreciation  expense  in  the  income  statement  on  a 
prospective basis. 

Tax Audits 

Income tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax.  Current tax payable on 
taxable  profits  is  recognised  as  an  expense  in  the  period  in  which  the  profits  arise  using  tax  rates  enacted  or 
substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.  Deferred tax is provided in full, using the balance sheet liability 
method on temporary differences arising from the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amount in 
the consolidated financial statements.   

Social insurance, passenger taxes and sales taxes are recorded as a liability based on laws enacted in 

the jurisdictions to which they relate. Liabilities are recorded when an obligation has been incurred.  

Ryanair  reviews  its  tax  obligations  by  jurisdiction  regularly.   There  are  many  complexities  and 
judgements in determining tax obligations due to the inherent complexity of tax law, the manner in which airline 
businesses are carried out whereby operations can begin and end in different jurisdictions and assumptions made 
about the timing and amount of individual balances to be included in financial statements and tax returns.   

Ryanair has an internal tax group and takes professional advice on more complex matters in estimating 
its  tax  liabilities.   Ryanair  also  deals  extensively  with  revenue  authorities  in  each  jurisdiction  in  which  it 
operates.  Tax liabilities are based on the best estimate of the likely obligation at each reporting period.  These 
estimates are subject to revision based on the outcome of tax audits and discussions with revenue authorities that 
can take several years to conclude. 

92 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  income  statement  data  (calculated  under  IFRS)  for  Ryanair 

expressed as a percentage of Ryanair‘s total revenues for each of the periods indicated: 

Total revenues ..............................................................  
  Scheduled revenues ...................................................  
  Ancillary revenues .....................................................  
Total operating expenses ..............................................  
  Fuel and oil ................................................................  
  Airport and handling charges ....................................  
  Route charges ............................................................  
  Staff costs ..................................................................  
  Depreciation ..............................................................  
  Marketing, distribution and other ..............................  
  Maintenance, materials and repairs ...........................  
  Aircraft rentals...........................................................  
Operating profit ............................................................  
Net interest expense .....................................................  
Other income ................................................................  
Profit before taxation ....................................................  
Taxation .......................................................................  
Profit after taxation  .....................................................  

Fiscal Year ended March 31, 
2013 

2014 

2012 

100% 
75.2 
24.8 
86.9 
40.0 
12.2 
10.4 
9.2 
7.0 
3.8 
2.3 
2.0 
13.1 
(1.3) 
0.0 
11.8 
(1.4) 
10.4 

100% 
78.2 
21.8 
85.3 
38.6 
12.5 
10.0 
8.9 
6.7 
4.1 
2.5 
2.0 
14.7 
(1.5) 
0.1 
13.3 
(1.6) 
11.7 

100% 
79.8 
20.2 
84.5 
36.3 
12.6 
10.5 
9.5 
7.0 
4.1 
2.4 
2.1 
15.5 
(1.5) 
0.3 
14.3 
(1.7) 
12.6 

FISCAL YEAR 2014 COMPARED WITH FISCAL YEAR 2013 

Profit after taxation. Ryanair recorded a profit on ordinary activities after taxation of €522.8 million in 
the 2014 fiscal year, as compared with a profit of €569.3 million in the 2013 fiscal year. This 8.2% decrease was 
primarily attributable to an increase in total operating expenses of 5.1%, and a 3.7% reduction in average fares, 
offset, in part, by strong ancillary revenues and increased traffic.  

Scheduled revenues. Ryanair‘s scheduled passenger revenues decreased 0.8%, from €3,819.8 million in 
the  2013  fiscal  year,  to  €3,789.5  million  in  the  2014  fiscal  year,  primarily  reflecting  a  decrease  of  3.7%  in 
average fares. The number of passengers booked increased 3.0%, from 79.3 million to 81.7 million, reflecting 
increased passenger volumes on existing routes and the successful launch of new bases at Athens, Thessaloniki, 
Brussels  (Zaventem)  ,  Lisbon,  Rome  (Fiumicino),  Catania,  Lamezia  and  Palermo  in  the  2014  fiscal  year.  
Booked passenger load factors increased to 83% in fiscal 2014 compared with 82% in fiscal 2013. 

Passenger  capacity  during  the  2014  fiscal  year  increased  by  2.4%  due  to  an  increase  in  the  average 
number of aircraft in the fleet. Scheduled passenger revenues accounted for 75.2 % of Ryanair‘s total revenues 
for the 2014 fiscal year, compared with 78.2% of total revenues in the 2013 fiscal year. 

Ancillary revenues. Ryanair‘s ancillary revenues, which comprise revenues from non-flight scheduled 
operations,  in-flight  sales  and  Internet-related  services,  increased  17.2%,  from  €1,064.2  million  in  the  2013 
fiscal year to €1,247.2 million in the 2014 fiscal year, while ancillary revenues per booked passenger increased 
to  €15.27  from  €13.43.  Revenues  from  non-flight  scheduled  operations,  including  revenues  from  excess 
baggage charges, administration/credit card fees, sales of rail and bus tickets, priority boarding, reserved seating, 
accommodation, travel insurance and car rental increased 21.6% to €1,012.4 million from €832.9 million in the 
2013  fiscal  year.  Revenues  from  in-flight  sales  increased  6.8%,  to  €117.3  million  from  €109.8  million  in  the 
2013 fiscal  year. Revenues from Internet-related services,  primarily commissions received from products sold 
on  Ryanair.com  or  linked  websites,  decreased  3.3%,  from  €121.5  million  in  the  2013  fiscal  year  to  €117.5 
million in the 2014 fiscal year, reflecting a combination of factors including an improved product mix and the 
implementation  of  a  reserved  seating  system  across  the  network.  The  rate  of  increase  in  ancillary  revenues 
exceeded that of the increase in overall passengers booked. 

93 

 
 
 
 
The  following  table  sets  forth  the  components  of  ancillary  revenues  earned  by  Ryanair  and  each 

component expressed as a percentage of total ancillary revenues for each of the periods indicated: 

Fiscal Year ended March 31, 

2014 

2013 

(in millions of euro, except percentage data) 

Non-flight Scheduled ..................  
In-flight Sales ..............................  
Internet-related ............................  
Total ............................................  

1,012.4 
117.3 
117.5 
1,247.2 

81.2% 
9.4% 
9.4% 
100.0% 

€832.9 
€109.8 
€121.5 
€1,064.2 

78.3% 
10.3% 
11.4% 
100.0% 

Operating  expenses.  As  a  percentage  of  total  revenues,  Ryanair‘s  operating  expenses  increased  from 
85.3% in the 2013 fiscal year to 86.9% in the 2014 fiscal year. Total revenues increased by 3.1%, slower than 
the  5.1%  increase  in  operating  expenses.  In  absolute  terms,  total  operating  expenses  increased  5.1%,  from 
€4,165.8 million in the 2013 fiscal year to €4,378.1 million in the 2014 fiscal year, principally as a result of a 
6.8% increase in fuel and oil costs from €1,885.6 million in the 2013 fiscal year to €2,013.1 million in the 2014 
fiscal  year,  partially  offset  by  the  weakening  of  the  U.K.  pound  sterling  to  the  euro.  Airport  and  handling 
charges,  maintenance,  materials  and  repairs  and  marketing,  distribution  and  other  costs  decreased  as  a 
percentage of total revenues, while staff costs, depreciation, route charges  and fuel and oil expenses increased 
and aircraft rental expenses stayed constant. Total operating expenses per passenger increased by 2.0%, with the 
increase reflecting, principally, the increase in passenger capacity during the 2014 fiscal year and the impact of 
the higher fuel costs. 

The  Company‘s  decision  to  ground  aircraft  did  not  have  a  material  impact  on  the  results  of  the 
Company  for the  year ended March 31, 2014  and, at present,  is not anticipated to have a  material impact on 
future  operations.  The  Company  anticipates  that  any  revenues  which  could  have  been  generated  had  the 
Company  operated  the  grounded  aircraft  would  have  been  lower  than  the  operating  costs  associated  with 
operating these aircraft, due to significantly higher fuel costs, airport charges and taxes. The Company does not 
anticipate that any material staff costs will be incurred during future periods of the grounding of aircraft, as the 
relevant staff can be furloughed under the terms of their contracts without compensation and the maintenance 
costs  associated  with  the  grounded  aircraft  will  be  minimal.  However,  the  Company  will  still  incur  aircraft 
ownership costs comprised of depreciation and amortization costs, lease rentals costs and financing costs. 

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  amounts  in  euro  cent  of,  and  percentage  changes  in,  Ryanair‘s 
operating expenses (on a per-passenger basis) for the  fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 
under IFRS. These data are calculated by dividing the relevant expense amount (as shown in the consolidated 
financial statements) by the number of booked passengers in the relevant year as shown in the table of ―Selected 
Operating and Other Data‖ in Item 3 and rounding to the nearest euro cent; the percentage change is calculated 
on the basis of the relevant figures before rounding. 

Fuel and oil .............................................................................  
Airport and handling charges .................................................  
Route charges .........................................................................  
Staff costs ...............................................................................  
Depreciation ...........................................................................  
Marketing, distribution and other ...........................................  
Maintenance, materials and repairs ........................................  
Aircraft rentals .......................................................................  
Total operating expenses ........................................................  

94 

Fiscal Year 
Ended 
March 31, 
2014 
€ 
24.65 
7.56 
6.39 
5.68 
4.31 
2.36 
1.42 
1.24 
53.61 

Fiscal Year 
Ended 
March 31, 

2013  % Change 

€ 
23.79 
7.71 
6.14 
5.50 
4.16 
2.50 
1.52 
1.24 
52.56 

3.6% 
(2.1%) 
4.1% 
3.3% 
3.6% 
(5.5%) 
(6.7%) 
0.3% 
2.0% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel  and  oil.  Ryanair‘s  fuel  and  oil  costs  per  passenger  increased  by  3.6%,  while  in  absolute  terms, 
these  costs  increased  by  6.8%  from  €1,885.6  million  in  the  2013  fiscal  year  to  €2,013.1  million  in  the  2014 
fiscal year, in each case after giving effect to the Company‘s fuel hedging activities. The 6.8% increase reflected 
a 3.0% increase in average  fuel prices paid and the  impact of a  7.6% increase in  the number of  hours  flown, 
which were offset in part by a lower fuel burn across the fleet. Fuel and oil costs include the direct cost of fuel, 
the cost of delivering fuel to the aircraft, aircraft de-icing and EU emissions trading costs. The average fuel price 
paid  by  Ryanair  (calculated  by  dividing  total  fuel  costs  by  the  number  of  U.S.  gallons  of  fuel  consumed) 
increased 3.0% from €2.38 per U.S. gallon in the 2013 fiscal year to €2.45 per U.S. gallon in the 2014 fiscal 
year, in each case after giving effect to the Company‘s fuel hedging activities. 

Airport and handling charges and route charges. Ryanair‘s airport and handling charges per passenger 
decreased  2.1%  in  the  2014  fiscal  year,  while  route  charges  per  passenger  increased  4.1%.  In  absolute  terms, 
airport and handling charges increased 0.9%, from €611.6 million in the 2013 fiscal year to €617.2 million in 
the  2014  fiscal  year,  reflecting  the  overall  growth  in  passenger  volumes,  increased  charges  in  Spain,  and  a 
quadrupling  of  ATC  charges  in  Italy  during  the  summer,  partially  offset  by  the  mix  of  new  route  and  bases 
launched and the weakening of U.K. pound sterling against the euro. In absolute terms, route charges increased 
7.3%, from €486.6 million in the 2013 fiscal year, to €522.0 million in the 2014 fiscal year, primarily as a result 
of the 2% increase in sectors flown. 

Staff  costs.  Ryanair‘s  staff  costs,  which  consist  primarily  of  salaries,  wages  and  benefits,  increased 
3.3% on a per-passenger basis, while in absolute terms, these costs increased 6.4%, from €435.6 million in the 
2013  fiscal  year  to  €463.6  million  in  the  2014  fiscal  year.  The  increase  in  absolute  terms  was  primarily 
attributable to a 7.6% increase in hours flown and a pay increase of 2.0% granted in fiscal 2014, partially offset 
by the weakening of U.K. pound sterling against the euro. 

Depreciation. Ryanair‘s depreciation per  passenger increased by  3.6%,  while in absolute terms these 
costs increased 6.7% from €329.6 million in the 2013 fiscal year to €351.8 million in the 2014 fiscal year. The 
increase  was  primarily  attributable  to  the  increase  in  the  average  number  of  owned  aircraft  in  the  fleet  in  the 
2014 fiscal year (246) compared to the 2013 fiscal year (242) and spare engines purchased during the year.  See 
―—Critical Accounting Policies—Long-lived Assets‖ above. 

Marketing,  distribution  and  other  expenses.  Ryanair‘s  marketing,  distribution  and  other  operating 
expenses, including those applicable to the generation of ancillary revenues, decreased 5.5% on a per-passenger 
basis in the 2014 fiscal  year,  while in absolute terms, these costs  decreased  2.6%, from  €197.9 million in the 
2013  fiscal  year  to  €192.8  million  in  the  2014  fiscal  year,  with  the  overall  decrease  primarily  reflecting  the 
reduced marketing spend per passenger and lower ancillary revenue costs. 

Maintenance,  materials  and  repairs.  Ryanair‘s  maintenance,  materials  and  repair  expenses,  which 
consist primarily of the cost of routine maintenance, provision for leased aircraft and the overhaul of spare parts, 
decreased  6.7%  on  a  per-passenger  basis,  while  in  absolute  terms  these  expenses  decreased  by  3.8%  from 
€120.7 million in the 2013 fiscal year to €116.1 million in the 2014 fiscal year. The decrease in absolute terms 
during  the  fiscal  year  reflected  improved  terms  on  lease  extensions,  offset  in  part  by  costs  arising  from  the 
increased level of activity. 

Aircraft  rentals.  Aircraft rental expenses amounted to €101.5 million  in  the 2014 fiscal  year, a  3.4% 
increase from the €98.2 million reported in the 2013 fiscal year, reflecting the negative impact of higher lessor 
financing costs and the adverse impact of changes in the euro/dollar exchange rate. 

Operating profit.  As a result of the factors outlined above, operating profit decreased 11.0% on a per-
passenger basis in the 2014 fiscal year, and also decreased in absolute terms, from €718.2 million in the 2013 
fiscal year to €658.6 million in the 2014 fiscal year.  

Finance  expense.  Ryanair‘s  interest  and  similar  charges  decreased  16.2%,  from  €99.3  million  in  the 
2013 fiscal year to €83.2 million in the 2014 fiscal year, primarily due to lower interest rates and reduced level 
of debt in the 2014 fiscal year compared to the 2013 fiscal year. These costs are expected to increase in future 
periods as Ryanair further expands its fleet. 

95 

 
 
Finance  income.  Ryanair‘s  interest  and  similar  income  decreased  39.8%,  from  €27.4  million  in  the 
2013 fiscal year to €16.5 million in the 2014 fiscal year, reflecting lower interest rates and gross cash balances, 
partially offset by increased dividend income from Aer Lingus shares received in the 2014 fiscal year. 

Foreign exchange gains/losses. Ryanair recorded foreign exchange losses of €0.5 million in the 2014 
fiscal year, as compared with foreign exchange gains of €4.6 million in the 2013 fiscal year, with the different 
result being primarily due to the negative impact of changes in the euro exchange rate against the U.K. pound 
sterling. 

Taxation. The effective tax rate for the 2014 fiscal year was 11.6%, as compared to an effective tax rate 
of  12.5%  in  the  2013  fiscal  year.  The  effective  tax  rate  reflects  the  statutory  rate  of  Irish  corporation  tax  of 
12.5%. Ryanair recorded an income tax provision of €68.6 million in the 2014 fiscal year, compared with a tax 
provision of €81.6 million in the 2013 fiscal year, with the decrease primarily reflecting lower pre-tax profits. 
The determination regarding the recoverability of the deferred tax asset was based on future income forecasts, 
which demonstrated that it was more likely than not that future profits would be available in order to utilize the 
deferred  tax  asset.  A  deferred  tax  asset‘s  recoverability  is  not  dependent  on  material  improvements  over 
historical  levels  of  pre-tax  income,  material  changes  in  the  present  relationship  between  income  reported  for 
financial and tax purposes, or material asset sales or other non-routine transactions. 

FISCAL YEAR 2013 COMPARED WITH FISCAL YEAR 2012 

Profit after taxation. Ryanair recorded a profit on ordinary activities after taxation of €569.3 million in 
the 2013 fiscal year, as compared with a profit of €560.4 million in the 2012 fiscal year. This 1.6% increase was 
primarily attributable to an increase in revenues driven by a 4.3% increase in average fares and a 20.1% increase 
in ancillary revenues, partially offset by a 18.3% increase in fuel and oil costs from €1,593.6 million to €1,885.6 
million. The result in fiscal 2012 included €57.8 million, net of tax, relating to a one off release of ticket sales 
revenue  due  to  a  change  in  accounting  estimates  arising  in  enhancements  to  Ryanair‘s  revenue  accounting 
system. 

Scheduled revenues. Ryanair‘s scheduled passenger revenues increased 9.0%, from €3,504.0 million in 
the  2012  fiscal  year,  to  €3,819.8  million  in  the  2013  fiscal  year,  primarily  reflecting  an  increase  of  4.3%  in 
average fares. The number of passengers booked increased 4.5%, from 75.8 million to 79.3 million, reflecting 
increased passenger volumes on existing routes and the successful launch of new bases at  Chania, Eindhoven, 
Fez,  Krakow,  Maastricht,  Marrakech  and  Zadar  in  the  2013  fiscal  year.    Booked  passenger  load  factors 
remained flat at 82% in both fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013. 

Passenger capacity during the 2013 fiscal year increased by 4.7% due to the addition of 11 Boeing 737-
800  aircraft  (net  of  lease  handbacks).  Scheduled  passenger  revenues  accounted  for  78.2  %  of  Ryanair‘s  total 
revenues for the 2013 fiscal year, compared with 79.8% of total revenues in the 2012 fiscal year. 

During fiscal year 2012, changes in estimates relating to the timing of revenue recognition for unused 
passenger tickets were made, resulting in increased revenue in the 2012 fiscal year of €65.3 million. This change 
reflects more accurate and timely data obtained through system enhancements. 

Ancillary revenues. Ryanair‘s ancillary revenues, which comprise revenues from non-flight scheduled 
operations, in-flight sales and Internet-related services, increased 20.1%, from €886.2 million in the 2012 fiscal 
year  to  €1,064.2  million  in  the  2013  fiscal  year,  while  ancillary  revenues  per  booked  passenger  increased  to 
€13.43 from €11.69. Revenues from non-flight scheduled operations, including revenues from excess baggage 
charges,  administration/credit  card  fees,  sales  of  rail  and  bus  tickets,  priority  boarding,  reserved  seating, 
accommodation,  travel  insurance  and  car  rental  increased  23.0%  to  €832.9  million  from  677.4  million  in  the 
2012 fiscal  year. Revenues from in-flight sales increased 2. 8%, to €109.8 million from  €106.7 million in the 
2012 fiscal  year. Revenues from Internet-related services,  primarily commissions received from products sold 
on  Ryanair.com  or  linked  websites,  increased  19.0%,  from  €102.1  million  in  the  2012  fiscal  year  to  €121.5 
million in the 2013 fiscal year. The rate of increase in revenues from all ancillary revenue categories exceeded 
that of the increase in overall passengers booked. 

96 

 
 
 
The  following  table  sets  forth  the  components  of  ancillary  revenues  earned  by  Ryanair  and  each 

component expressed as a percentage of total ancillary revenues for each of the periods indicated: 

Fiscal Year ended March 31, 

2013 

2012 
(in millions of euro, except percentage data) 

Non-flight Scheduled ..................  
In-flight Sales ..............................  
Internet-related ............................  
Total ............................................  

€832.9 
€109.8 
€121.5 
€1,064.2 

78.3% 
10.3% 
11.4% 
100.0% 

 €677.4 
 €106.7 
€102.1 
€886.2 

76.4% 
12.0% 
11.5% 
100.0% 

Operating  expenses.  As  a  percentage  of  total  revenues,  Ryanair‘s  operating  expenses  increased  from 
84.5% in the 2012 fiscal  year to 85.3% in the  2013 fiscal  year, as total revenues increased by 11.2%,  slower 
than  the  12.4%  increase  in  operating  expenses.  In  absolute  terms,  total  operating  expenses  increased  12.4%, 
from €3,707.0 million in the 2012 fiscal year to €4,165.8 million in the 2013 fiscal year, principally as a result 
of an 18.3% increase in fuel and oil costs from €1,593.6 million in the 2012 fiscal year to €1,885.6 million in the 
2013 fiscal year. Staff costs, depreciation, aircraft rental expenses, route charges, airport handling charges and 
marketing, distribution and other costs decreased as a percentage of total revenues, while maintenance and fuel 
and  oil  expenses  increased.  Total  operating  expenses  per  passenger  increased  by  7.5%,  with  the  increase 
reflecting,  principally,  the  increase  in  passenger  capacity  during  the  2013  fiscal  year  and  the  impact  of  the 
higher fuel costs. 

The  Company‘s  decision  to  ground  aircraft  did  not  have  a  material  impact  on  the  results  of  the 
Company  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2013  and,  at  present,  is  not  anticipated  to  have  a  material  impact  on 
future  operations.  The  Company  anticipates  that  any  revenues  which  could  have  been  generated  had  the 
Company  operated  the  grounded  aircraft  would  have  been  lower  than  the  operating  costs  associated  with 
operating these aircraft, due to significantly higher fuel costs, airport charges and taxes. The Company does not 
anticipate that any material staff costs will be incurred during future periods of the grounding of aircraft,  as the 
relevant staff can be furloughed under the terms of their contracts without compensation and the maintenance 
costs  associated  with  the  grounded  aircraft  will  be  minimal.  However,  the  Company  will  still  incur  aircraft 
ownership costs comprised of depreciation and amortization costs, lease rentals costs and financing costs. 

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  amounts  in  euro  cent  of,  and  percentage  changes  in,  Ryanair‘s 
operating expenses (on a per-passenger basis) for the  fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012 
under IFRS. These data are calculated by dividing the relevant expense amount (as shown in the consolidated 
financial statements) by the number of booked passengers in the relevant year as shown in the table of ―Selected 
Operating and Other Data‖ in Item 3 and rounding to the nearest euro cent; the percentage change is calculated 
on the basis of the relevant figures before rounding. 

Fuel and oil .............................................................................  
Airport and handling charges .................................................  
Route charges .........................................................................  
Staff costs ...............................................................................  
Depreciation ...........................................................................  
Marketing, distribution and other ...........................................  
Maintenance, materials and repairs ........................................  
Aircraft rentals .......................................................................  
Total operating expenses ........................................................  

Fiscal Year 
Ended 
March 31, 
2013 
€ 
23.79 
7.71 
6.14 
5.50 
4.16 
2.50 
1.52 
1.24 
52.56 

Fiscal Year 
Ended 
March 31, 

2012  % Change 

€ 
21.02 
7.31 
6.08 
5.47 
4.08 
2.37 
1.37 
1.20 
48.90 

13.2% 
5.6% 
1.1% 
0.4% 
2.0% 
5.2% 
11.0% 
3.5% 
7.5% 

Fuel and oil. Ryanair‘s fuel and oil costs per passenger increased by 13.2%, while in absolute terms, 
these costs increased by 18.3% from €1,593.6 million in the 2012 fiscal  year  to €1,884.6  million in the  2013 

97 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
fiscal  year,  in  each  case  after  giving  effect  to  the  Company‘s  fuel  hedging  activities.  The  18.3%  increase 
reflected a 15% increase in average fuel prices paid and the impact of a 3.7% increase in the number of hours 
flown, which were offset in part by a 2.2% decrease in the average sector length. Fuel and oil costs include the 
direct cost of fuel, the cost of delivering fuel to the aircraft, aircraft de-icing and EU emissions trading costs. 
The average fuel price paid by Ryanair (calculated by dividing total fuel costs by the number of U.S. gallons of 
fuel consumed) increased 14.4% from €2.08 per U.S. gallon in the 2012 fiscal year to €2.38 per U.S. gallon in 
the 2013 fiscal year, in each case after giving effect to the Company‘s fuel hedging activities.  

Airport and handling charges and route charges. Ryanair‘s airport and handling charges per passenger 
increased  5.6%,  while  route  charges  per  passenger  increased  1.1%  in  the  2013  fiscal  year.  In  absolute  terms, 
airport and handling charges increased 10.4%, from €554.0 million in the 2012 fiscal year, to €611.6 million in 
the  2013  fiscal  year,  reflecting  the  overall  growth  in  passenger  volumes  and  higher  charges  at  Dublin  and 
London  (Stansted)  airports,  partially  offset  by  lower  average  costs  at  Ryanair‘s  newer  airports  and  bases.  In 
absolute terms, route charges increased 5.7%, from €460.5 million in the 2012 fiscal year to €486.6 million in 
the 2013 fiscal year, primarily as a result of the 4.7% increase in sectors flown.  

Staff  costs.  Ryanair‘s  staff  costs,  which  consist  primarily  of  salaries,  wages  and  benefits,  increased 
0.4% on a per-passenger basis, while in absolute terms, these costs increased 5.0%, from €415.0 million in the 
2013  fiscal  year  to  €435.6  million  in  the  2013  fiscal  year.  The  increase  in  absolute  terms  was  primarily 
attributable to a 3.7% increase in hours flown and a flight crew pay increase of 2% granted in fiscal 2013. 

Depreciation. Ryanair‘s depreciation per passenger increased by 2.0%,  while in absolute terms these 
costs increased 6.6% from €309.2 million in the 2012 fiscal year to €329.6 million in the 2013 fiscal year. The 
increase was primarily attributable to the addition of 11 owned aircraft to the fleet during the 2013 fiscal year. 
See ―—Critical Accounting Policies—Long-lived Assets‖ above. 

Marketing,  distribution  and  other  expenses.  Ryanair‘s  marketing,  distribution  and  other  operating 
expenses, including those applicable to the generation of ancillary revenues, increased 5.2% on a per-passenger 
basis  in  the  2013  fiscal  year,  while  in  absolute  terms,  these  costs  increased  9.9%,  from  €180.0  million  in  the 
2012  fiscal  year  to  €197.9  million  in  the  2013  fiscal  year,  with  the  overall  increase  primarily  reflecting  the 
higher level of activity and increased onboard product costs reflecting the higher level of sales. 

Maintenance,  materials  and  repairs.  Ryanair‘s  maintenance,  materials  and  repair  expenses,  which 
consist primarily of the cost of routine maintenance, provision for leased aircraft and the overhaul of spare parts, 
increased  11.0%  on  a  per-passenger  basis,  while  in  absolute  terms  these  expenses  increased  by  16.0%  from 
€104.0 million in the 2012 fiscal year to €120.7 million in the 2013 fiscal year. The increase in absolute terms 
during the fiscal year reflected the additional costs arising from increased level of activity and the opening of 
new bases. 

Aircraft  rentals.  Aircraft rental expenses amounted to €98.2  million in the  2013 fiscal  year, an 8.2% 
increase from the €90.7 million reported in the 2012 fiscal year, reflecting the negative impact of higher lessor 
financing costs and the  adverse impact of changes in the euro/dollar exchange rate on new leased aircraft and 
the handback of 4 aircraft due to the maturity of leases. 

Operating profit.  As a result of the factors outlined above, operating profit increased 0.6% on a per-
passenger basis in the 2013 fiscal year, and also increased in absolute terms, from €683.2 million in the 2012 
fiscal year to €718.2 million in the 2013 fiscal year.  

Finance  expense.  Ryanair‘s  interest  and  similar  charges  decreased  9.0%,  from  €109.2  million  in  the 
2012 fiscal year to €99.3 million in the 2013 fiscal year, primarily due to lower interest rates in the 2013 fiscal 
year compared to the 2012 fiscal year. These costs are expected to increase as Ryanair further expands its fleet. 

Finance  income.  Ryanair‘s  interest  and  similar  income  decreased  38.2%,  from  €44.3  million  in  the 

2012 fiscal year to €27.4 million in the 2013 fiscal year, reflecting the reduced yields on term deposits. 

98 

 
 
 
Foreign exchange gains/losses. Ryanair recorded foreign exchange  gains of €4.6  million in the 2013 
fiscal year, as compared with foreign exchange gains of €4.3 million in the 2012 fiscal year, with the different 
result  being  primarily  due  to  the  positive  impact  of  changes  in  the  U.K.  pound  sterling  and  the  U.S.  dollar 
exchange rates against the euro. 

Taxation. The effective tax rate for the 2013 fiscal year was 12.5%, as compared to an effective tax rate 
of  11.5%  in  the  2012  fiscal  year.  The  effective  tax  rate  reflects  the  statutory  rate  of  Irish  corporation  tax  of 
12.5%. Ryanair recorded an income tax provision of €81.6 million in the 2013 fiscal year, compared with a tax 
provision of €72.6 million in the 2012 fiscal year, with the increase primarily reflecting higher pre-tax profits. 
The determination regarding the recoverability of the deferred tax asset was based on future income forecasts, 
which demonstrated that it was more likely than not that future profits would be available in order to utilize the 
deferred  tax  asset.  A  deferred  tax  asset‘s  recoverability  is  not  dependent  on  material  improvements  over 
historical  levels  of  pre-tax  income,  material  changes  in  the  present  relationship  between  income  reported  for 
financial and tax purposes, or material asset sales or other non-routine transactions. 

SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS 

The  Company‘s  results  of  operations  have  varied  significantly  from  quarter  to  quarter,  and 
management  expects  these  variations  to  continue.  Among  the  factors  causing  these  variations  are  the  airline 
industry‘s  sensitivity  to  general  economic  conditions  and  the  seasonal  nature  of  air  travel.  Ryanair  typically 
records higher revenues and income in the first half of each fiscal year ended March 31 than the second half of 
such year.  

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS 

Please  see  Note  1  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  included  in  Item  18  for  information  on 

recently issued accounting standards that are material to the Company. 

99 

 
 
 
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

Liquidity.  The  Company  finances  its  working  capital  requirements  through  a  combination  of  cash 
generated  from  operations,  debt  capital  market  issuances  and  bank  loans  for  the  acquisition  of  aircraft.  See 
―Item  3.  Key  Information—Risk  Factors—Risks  Related  to  the  Company—The  Company  Will  Incur 
Significant  Costs  Acquiring  New  Aircraft  and  Any  Instability  in  the  Credit  and  Capital  Markets  could 
Negatively  Impact  Ryanair‘s  Ability  to  Obtain  Financing  on  Acceptable  Terms‖  for  more  information  about 
risks relating to liquidity and capital resources. The Company had cash and liquid resources at March 31, 2014 
and  2013  of  €3,241.7  million  and  €3,559.0  million,  respectively.  The  decrease  at  March  31,  2014  primarily 
reflects cash generated from operating activities of €1,044.6 million, which was offset by the cash used to fund 
the  purchase  of  69.5  million  Ordinary  Shares  via  a  share  buy-back  costing  €481.7  million,  as  well  as  the 
purchase of property, plant, and equipment – primarily pre-delivery payments on new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, 
spare  engines  and  the  repayment  of  €390.8  million  of  borrowings.  Cash  and  liquid  resources  included  €13.3 
million  and  €24.7  million  in  ―restricted  cash‖  held  on  deposit  as  collateral  for  certain  derivative  financial 
instruments  entered  into  by  the  Company  with  respect  to  its  aircraft  financing  obligations  and  other  banking 
arrangements at March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See ―Item 8. Financial InformationOther Financial 
InformationLegal Proceedings.‖ 

The Company‘s net cash inflows from operating activities in the 2014 and 2013 fiscal years amounted 
to  €1,044.6  million  and  €1,023.5  million,  respectively.  The  €21.1  million  increase  in  net  cash  flows  from 
operating activities for fiscal year 2014 compared to fiscal year 2013 was principally due to a number of factors 
including an increase in accrued expenses. This movement,  which primarily relates to cash received in advance 
for flights, and receipt of other receivables and increases in other payables balances, generated €133.9 million in 
cash in 2014, compared with €67.4 million in 2013. This increase in net cash generated from working capital of 
€66.5  million,  or  approximately  98.7%,  is  primarily  due  to  the  an  increase  in  cash  receipts  from  advance 
bookings, some of which is due to the timing of Easter which fell in April 2014. 

During  the  last  two  fiscal  years,  Ryanair‘s  primary  cash  requirements  have  been  for  operating 
expenses, additional aircraft, including advance payments in respect of new Boeing 737-800s and related flight 
equipment,  payments on related indebtedness and payments of corporation tax, as  well  as share buy-backs of 
€549.2  million  and  the  payment  of  a  €491.5  million  special  dividend  to  shareholders.  Cash  generated  from 
operations has been the principal source for these cash requirements, supplemented primarily by aircraft-related 
bank loans. 

The Company‘s net cash inflows from operating activities in the 2013 and 2012 fiscal years amounted 
to  €1,023.5  million  and  €1,020.3  million,  respectively.  The  €3.2  million  increase  in  net  cash  flows  from 
operating  activities  for  fiscal  year  2013  compared  to  fiscal  2012  was  principally  due  to  a  number  of  factors 
including a €493.8 million increase in operating revenues, due to a combination of a  4.3% increase in average 
fares,  a  4.5%  increase  in  booked  passengers  and  a  20.1%  increase  in  ancillary  revenues,  partially  offset  by  a 
€291.0 million, or 18.3%, increase in fuel and oil costs, due to the increase in the level of activity and increases 
in  the  average  price  of  fuel,  and  a  €146.4  million,  or  8.1%,  increase  in  non-fuel  related  operating  expenses 
(excluding a €20.4 million, or 6.6%, increase in non-cash depreciation) due to the growth of the business.  In 
addition, movements in working capital, related principally to cash received in advance for flights, and receipt 
of other receivables and increases in other payables balances, generated €67.4 million in cash in 2013, compared 
with  €101.8  million  in  2012.  This  decrease  in  net  cash  generated  from  working  capital  of  €34.4  million,  or 
approximately 34%, is primarily due to the timing of Easter, which led to lower future fly revenues at year end. 

The  Company‘s net cash  inflows  from  investing activities  in  fiscal  year 2014 totaled €300.7 million, 
primarily  reflecting,  as  compared  to  fiscal  year  2013,  the  Company‘s  decreased  investment  of  cash  with 
maturities of greater than three months, as described in more detail below  

The  Company‘s  net  cash  used  in  investing  activities  in  fiscal  years  2013  and  2012  totaled  €1,821.5 
million and €185.4 million, respectively, primarily reflecting the Company‘s capital expenditures, and increased 
investment of cash with maturities of greater than three months, as described in more detail below. 

100 

 
 
 
Net  cash  used in financing activities totaled €856.1 million in the 2014 fiscal  year, largely reflecting 
the  repayments  of  long-term  borrowings  of  €390.8  million  and  shares  purchased  under  a  share  buy-back 
program of €481.7 million, offset in part by shares issued of €16.4 million. Net cash used in financing activities 
totaled €669.4 million in fiscal year 2013.  This was due to the receipt of proceeds from long term borrowings of 
€234.6  million  and  shares  issued  of  €21.4  million,  offset  in  part  by  repayments  of  long-term  borrowings  of 
€366.4 million, the payment of a €491.5 million dividend and shares purchased under a share buy-back program 
of €67.5 million. 

The Company experienced a net cash outflow from financing activities of €154.9 million in fiscal year 
2012.  This was due to the receipt of proceeds from long term borrowings of €292.3 million being more than 
offset by repayments of long-term borrowings of €329.7 million and the expenditure of €124.6 million under the 
share buy-back program.  

Capital Expenditures. The Company‘s net cash outflows for capital expenditures in fiscal years 2014 
and 2013 were €505.8 million and €310.7 million, respectively. Ryanair has funded a significant portion of its 
acquisition of new Boeing 737-800 aircraft and related equipment through borrowings under facilities provided 
by international financial institutions on the basis of guarantees issued by the Export-Import Bank of the United 
States (―Ex-Im Bank‖). At March 31, 2014, Ryanair had a fleet of 297 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, the majority of 
which  (210  aircraft)  were  funded  by  Ex-Im  Bank-guaranteed  financing.  Other  sources  of  on-balance-sheet 
aircraft financing utilized by Ryanair are Japanese Operating Leases with Call Options (―JOLCOs‖), which are 
treated as finance leases (30 of the aircraft in the fleet as of March 31, 2014) and commercial debt financing (6 
of  the  aircraft  in  the  fleet  as  of  March  31,  2014).  Of  Ryanair‘s  total  fleet  of  297  Boeing  737-800  aircraft  at 
March 31, 2014 there were 51 aircraft which were financed through operating lease arrangements. Ryanair has 
generally  been  able  to  generate  sufficient  funds  from  operations  to  meet  its  non-aircraft  acquisition-related 
working  capital  requirements.  Management  believes  that  the  working  capital  available  to  the  Company  is 
sufficient  for  its  present  requirements  and  will  be  sufficient  to  meet  its  anticipated  requirements  for  capital 
expenditures and other cash requirements for the 2015 fiscal year. 

The Company‘s net cash outflows for capital expenditures in fiscal year  2012 was €290.4 million. Of 
the 25 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft which Ryanair took delivery of between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012, 
11  were  financed  through  sale-and-leaseback  financings  and  the  remainder  through  Ex-Im  Bank  guaranteed-
financing. 

The following table sets forth the dates on which and the number of aircraft that will be delivered to the 

Company pursuant to the 2013 Boeing Contract: 

Fiscal Year End 

  Mar 31, 
2014 

Mar 31, 
2015 

Mar 31, 
2016 

Mar 31, 
2017 

Mar 31, 
2018 

Mar 31, 
2019 

Summary 

Opening Fleet 
Aircraft delivered 
Planned lease returns/disposals 

Closing Fleet 

305    
0    
(8)    

297    

297    
11    
-    

308    

308    
40    
(5)    

343    

343    
50    
(22)    

371  

50    
(18)    

403   
29    
(6)    

371    

403    

426    

305  
180  
(59)  

426  

Capital Resources. Ryanair‘s long-term debt (including current maturities) totaled  €3,083.6 million at 
March  31,  2014  and  €3,498.3  million  at  March  31,  2013,  with  the  change  being  primarily  attributable  to  the 
repayment  of  existing  debt  facilities.  Please  see  the  table  ―Obligations  Due  by  Period‖  below  for  more 
information on Ryanair‘s long-term debt (including current maturities) and finance leases as of March 31, 2014. 
See  also  Note  11  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  included  in  Item  18  for  further  information  on  the 
maturity profile of the interest rate structure and other information on, the Company‘s borrowings. 

101 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
At  March  31,  2014,  the  majority  of  the  aircraft  in  Ryanair‘s  fleet  had  been  financed  through  loan 
facilities with various financial institutions active in the structured export finance sector and supported by a loan 
guarantee  from  Ex-Im  Bank.  Each  of  these  facilities  takes  essentially  the  same  form  and  is  based  on  the 
documentation  developed  by  Ryanair  and  Ex-Im  Bank,  which  follows  standard  market  forms  for  this  type  of 
financing. In November 2010, Ryanair financed seven aircraft through a U.S. dollar-denominated Ex-Im Bank 
Capital Markets Product (―Eximbond‖). The Eximbond has essentially the same characteristics as all previous 
Ex-Im Bank guaranteed financings with no additional obligations on Ryanair.  On the basis of an Ex-Im Bank 
guarantee with regard to the financing of up to 85% of the eligible U.S. and foreign content represented in the 
net purchase price of the relevant aircraft, the financial institution investor enters into a commitment letter with 
the Company to provide financing for a specified number of aircraft benefiting from such guarantee; loans are 
then drawn down as the aircraft are delivered and payments to Boeing become due. Each of the loans under the 
facilities are on  substantially  similar terms, having a  maturity of 12  years  from the drawdown date  and being 
secured by a first priority mortgage in favor of a security trustee on behalf of Ex-Im Bank.  

Through  the  use  of  interest  rate  swaps  or  cross  currency  interest  rate  swaps,  Ryanair  has  effectively 
converted  a  portion  of  its  floating-rate  debt  under  its  financing  facilities  into  fixed-rate  debt.  Approximately 
34%  of  the  loans  for  the  aircraft  acquired  under  the  above  facilities  are  not  covered  by  such  swaps  and  have 
therefore remained at floating rates linked to EURIBOR, with the interest rate exposure from these loans largely 
hedged by placing a similar amount of cash on deposit at floating interest rates. The net result is that Ryanair 
has  effectively  swapped  or  drawn  down  fixed-rate  euro-denominated  debt  with  maturities  between  seven  and 
twelve years in respect of approximately  66% of its outstanding debt financing at March 31,  2014 and of this 
total approximately 48% of this debt has been partially swapped, with the relevant swaps covering the first seven 
years of the twelve-year amortizing period. 

The  table  below  illustrates  the  effect  of  swap  transactions  (each  of  which  is  with  an  established 
international financial counterparty) on the profile of Ryanair‘s total outstanding debt at March 31, 2014. See 
―Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Interest Rate Exposure and Hedging‖ 
for additional details on the Company‘s hedging transactions. 

At March 31, 2014 

EUR 
Fixed 

EUR 
Floating 

(in millions of euro) 

Borrowing profile before swap transactions .....................................  
Interest rate swaps – Debt swapped from floating to fixed ...............  
Borrowing profile after swap transactions ........................................  

945.1  
1,098.9 
2,044.0  

2,138.5 
(1,098.9)  
1,039.6 

The  weighted-average  interest  rate  on  the  cumulative  borrowings  under  these  facilities  of  €3,083.6 
million  at  March  31,  2014  was  2.49%.  Ryanair‘s  ability  to  obtain  additional  loans  pursuant  to  each  of  the 
facilities  to  finance  the  price  of  future  Boeing  737-800  aircraft  purchases  is  subject  to  the  issuance  of  further 
bank commitments and the satisfaction of various contractual conditions. In addition, as a result of the Company 
obtaining  a  BBB+  credit  rating  from  Standard  &  Poor‘s  and  Fitch  Ratings  and  following  Ryanair‘s  recent 
issuance in June 2014 of an unsecured eurobond in the amount of €850.0 million with a coupon of 1.875% with 
a  tenor  of  7  years  that  are  guaranteed  by  Ryanair  Holdings,  the  Company  may  decide  in  the  future  to  issue 
additional debt from through the capital markets to finance future aircraft deliveries. These conditions include, 
among other things, the execution of satisfactory documentation, the requirement that Ryanair perform all of its 
obligations under the Boeing agreements and provide satisfactory security interests in the aircraft (and related 
assets)  in  favor  of  the  lenders  and  Ex-Im  Bank,  and  that  Ryanair  not  suffer  a  material  adverse  change  in  its 
conditions or prospects (financial or otherwise). 

As part of its Ex-Im Bank guarantee-based financing of the Boeing 737-800s, Ryanair has entered into 
certain lease agreements and related arrangements. Pursuant to these arrangements, legal title to the 210 aircraft 
delivered and remaining in the fleet as of March 31, 2014 rests with a number of United States special purpose 
vehicles  (the  ―SPVs‖).  The  SPVs  are  the  borrowers  of  record  under  the  loans  made  or  to  be  made  under  the 
facilities, with all of their obligations under the loans being guaranteed by Ryanair Holdings. 

102 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
These Aircraft are financed using a standard Ex-Im Bank ―orphan‖ ownership structure. The shares of 
the SPVs (which are owned by an unrelated charitable association and not by Ryanair) are in turn pledged to a 
security  trustee  in  favor  of  Ex-Im  Bank  and  the  lenders.  Ryanair  operates  each  of  the  aircraft  pursuant  to  a 
finance lease it has entered into with the SPVs, the terms of which mirror those of the relevant loans under the 
facilities.  Ryanair  has  the  right  to  purchase  the  aircraft  upon  termination  of  the  lease  for  a  nominal  amount. 
Pursuant  to  this  arrangement,  Ryanair  is  considered  to  own  the  aircraft  for  accounting  purposes  under  IFRS. 
Ryanair does not use special purpose entities for off-balance sheet financing or any other purpose which results 
in  assets  or  liabilities  not  being  reflected  in  Ryanair‘s  consolidated  financial  statements.  In  addition  to  its 
purchase option under the finance lease, Ryanair is entitled to receive the balance of any proceeds received in 
respect of the aircraft that remain after Ex-Im Bank and the lenders are paid what they are owed under the loan 
guarantees.  

Ryanair  has  a  track  record  in  securing  finance  for  similar  sized  aircraft  purchases.  The  1998,  2002, 
2003 and 2005 Boeing Contracts totaling 348 aircraft were financed with approximately 66% US Ex-Im Bank 
loan  guarantees  and  capital  markets  (with  85%  loan  to  value)  financing,  24%  through  sale  and  operating 
leaseback  financing,  and  10%  through  Japanese  operating  leases  with  call  options  (―JOLCOs‖).  See  ―Item  5. 
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources.‖  

Under the new Aviation Sector Understanding which came into effect from January 1, 2013, the fees 
payable to Ex-Im Bank for the provision of loan guarantees have significantly increased, thereby making it more 
expensive  than  more  traditional  forms  of  financing.  As  a  result,  Ryanair  intends  to  finance  the  New  Aircraft 
obtained  under  the  2013  Boeing  Contract  through  a  combination  of  internally  generated  cash  flows,  debt 
financing  from  commercial  banks,  debt  financing  through  the  capital  markets  in  a  secured  and  unsecured 
manner,  commercial  debt  through  JOLCOs  and  sale  and  operating  leasebacks.  These  forms  of  financing  are 
generally accepted in the aviation industry and are currently widely available for companies who have the credit 
quality  of  Ryanair.  Ryanair  may  periodically  use  Ex-Im  Bank  loan  guarantees  when  appropriate.  Ryanair 
intends  to  finance  pre-delivery  payments  (―Aircraft  Deposits‖)  to  Boeing  in  respect  of  the  New  Aircraft  via 
internally generated cash flows similar to all previous Aircraft Deposit payments.  

At March 31, 2014, Ryanair had 51 operating lease aircraft in the fleet. As a result, Ryanair operates, 
but  does  not  own,  these  aircraft,  which  were  leased  to  provide  flexibility  for  the  aircraft  delivery  program. 
Ryanair has no right or obligation to acquire these aircraft at  the end of the relevant lease terms. 18 leases are 
denominated  in  euro  and  require  Ryanair  to  make  fixed  rental  payments  over  the  term  of  the  lease.  The 
remaining 33 operating leases are U.S. dollar-denominated and require Ryanair to make fixed rental payments. 
The Company has an option to extend the initial period of seven years on 34 of the 51 remaining operating lease 
aircraft as at March 31, 2014 on pre-determined terms. This includes 3 operating lease arrangements which are 
due to mature during the year ended March 31, 2015 but have been extended for a further 7 years. In addition to 
the above, the Company financed 30 of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft delivered between March 2005 and March 
2014  with  13-year  euro-denominated  JOLCOs.  These  structures  are  accounted  for  as  finance  leases  and  are 
initially recorded at fair value in the Company‘s balance sheet. Under each of these contracts, Ryanair has a call 
option to purchase the aircraft at a pre-determined price after a period of 10.5 years, which it may exercise. Six 
aircraft have been financed through euro-denominated 12-year amortizing commercial debt transactions. 

Since, under each of the Company‘s operating leases, the Company has a commitment to maintain the 
relevant aircraft, an accounting provision is made during the lease term for this obligation based on estimated 
future costs of major airframe, engine maintenance checks and restitution of major life limited parts by making 
appropriate charges to the income statement calculated by reference to the number of hours or cycles operated 
during the year. Under IFRS, the accounting treatment for these costs with respect to leased aircraft differs from 
that for aircraft owned by the Company, for which such costs are capitalized and amortized. 

Ryanair  recently  obtained  a  BBB+  (stable)  corporate  rating  from  both  Standard  &  Poor‘s  and  Fitch 
Ratings and established a €3 billion EMTN program. In June 2014, Ryanair issued €850.0 million in unsecured 
eurobonds  with  a  7  year  tenor  at  a  coupon  of  1.875%  under  this  program  that  are  guaranteed  by  Ryanair 
Holdings.  The  Company  intends  to  use  the  proceeds  from  this  issuance  for  general  corporate  purposes, 
including the financing of aircraft. 

103 

 
 
 
Contractual  Obligations.  The  table  below  sets  forth  the  contractual  obligations  and  commercial 
commitments of the Company with definitive payment terms, which will require significant cash outlays in  the 
future,  as  of  March  31,  2014.  These  obligations  primarily  relate  to  Ryanair‘s  aircraft  purchase  and  related 
financing  obligations,  which  are  described  in  more  detail  above,  and  do  not  reflect  the  €850.0  million  in 
eurobonds  issued  in  June  2014.  For  additional  information  on  the  Company‘s  contractual  obligations  and 
commercial commitments, see Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 18. 

The  amounts  listed  under  ―Finance  Lease  Obligations‖  reflect  the  Company‘s  obligations  under  its 

JOLCOs. See ―Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Liquidity and Capital Resources.‖ 

The amounts listed under ―Purchase Obligations‖ in the table reflect obligations for aircraft purchases 
and are calculated by multiplying the number of aircraft the Company is obligated to purchase under its current 
agreements with Boeing during the relevant period by the Basic Price for each aircraft pursuant to the relevant 
contract,  with  the  dollar-denominated  Basic  Price  being  converted  into  euro  at  an  exchange  rate  of  $1.3788 
=€1.00 (based on the European Central Bank Rate on March 31, 2014). The relevant amounts therefore exclude 
the  effect  of  the  price  concessions  granted  to  Ryanair  by  Boeing  and  CFM,  as  well  as  any  application  of  the 
Escalation  Factor  described  below.  As  a  result,  Ryanair‘s  actual  expenditures  for  aircraft  during  the  relevant 
periods will be lower than the amounts listed under ―Purchase Obligations‖ in the table.  

With respect to purchase obligations under the terms of the 2013 Boeing Contract, the Company was 
required to pay Boeing 1% of the Basic Price of each of the 175 firm-order Boeing 737-800 aircraft at the time 
the contract was signed in April 2013 (such deposit being fully refundable if the Company had not received the 
shareholder approval it received at an extraordinary general meeting on June 18, 2013), and will be required to 
make  periodic  advance  payments  of  the  purchase  price  for  each  aircraft  it  has  agreed  to  purchase  during  the 
course  of  the  two-year  period  preceding  the  delivery  of  each  aircraft.  As  a  result  of  these  required  advance 
payments,  the  Company  will  have  paid  up  to  30%  of  the  Basic  Price  of  each  aircraft  prior  to  its  delivery 
(including the addition of an estimated ―Escalation Factor‖ but before deduction of any credit memoranda and 
other concessions); the balance of the net price is due at the time of delivery.  Similar terms applied under the 
2005 Boeing contract, with the first payment due when the contract was signed in February 2005.  

The amounts  listed  under  ―Operating  Lease Obligations‖ reflect the  Company‘s obligations  under its 

aircraft operating lease arrangements.  

Obligations Due by Period  

Contractual Obligations 

Total 

Less than 1 
year 

1-2 years 

2-5 years 

After 5 years 

(in millions of euro) 

2,366.8 
Long-term Debt (a) ...........................  
Finance Lease Obligations ...............  
716.8 
Purchase Obligations (b) ..................   10,246.7 
472.7 
Operating Lease Obligations  ...........  
281.6 
Future Interest Payments (c)  .............  
Total Contractual Obligations ..........   €14,084.6 

352.7 
115.2 
626.2 
118.7 
68.4 
€1,281.2 

334.4 
49.8 
2,277.0 
89.9 
57.3 
€2,808.4 

908.3 
369.2 
7,343.5 
202.2 
103.5 
€8,926.7 

771.4 
182.6 
- 
61.9 
52.4 
€1,068.3 

(a)  For  additional  information  on  Ryanair‘s  long-term  debt  obligations,  see  Note  11  and  Note  23  to  the  consolidated 

financial statements included in Item 18. 
(b)  These are noted at a non-discounted ―list‖ price. 
(c) 

In determining an appropriate methodology to estimate future interest payments we have applied either the applicable       
fixed  rate  or  currently  applicable  variable  rate  where  appropriate.    These  interest  rates  are  subject  to  change  and 
amounts actually due may be higher or lower than noted in the table above. 

104 

 
 
 
 
 
 
OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS 

Ryanair  uses  certain  off-balance  sheet  arrangements  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  including 
financial guarantees and operating lease commitments. Details of each of  these arrangements that  have or are 
reasonably  likely  to  have  a  current  or  future  material  effect  on  the  Company‘s  financial  condition,  results  of 
operations, liquidity or capital resources are discussed below.  

Operating  Lease  Commitments.  The  Company  has  entered  into  a  number  of  sale-and-leaseback 
transactions in connection with the  financing of a number of aircraft in its fleet. See ―—Liquidity and Capital 
Resources—Capital Resources‖ above for additional information on these transactions. 

Guarantees. Ryanair Holdings has provided an aggregate of €4,805.4 million in letters of guarantee to 
secure obligations of certain of its subsidiaries in respect of loans and bank advances, including those relating to 
aircraft  financing  and  related  hedging  transactions.  This  amount  excludes  guarantees  given  in  relation  to  the 
2013  Boeing  Contract  which  total  approximately  $14.1  billion  at  list  prices  and  which  became  effective 
following  Ryanair  Holdings  shareholder  approval  at  an  extraordinary  general  meeting  on  June  18,  2013.  In 
addition,  Ryanair  Holdings  guarantees  the  €850.0  million  eurobond  issuance  in  June  2014  (maturing  in  June 
2021). 

TREND INFORMATION 

For  information  concerning  the  principal  trends  and  uncertainties  affecting  the  Company‘s  results  of 
operations  and  financial  condition,  see  ―Item  3.  Key  Information—Risk  Factors,‖  ―Item  5.  Operating  and 
Financial  Review  and  Prospects—Business  Overview,‖  ―—Results  of  Operations,‖  ―—Liquidity  and  Capital 
Resources‖ and ―Item 4. Information on the Company—Strategy—Responding to Current Challenges” above. 

Inflation  did  not  have  a  significant  effect  on  the  Company‘s  results  of  operations  and  financial 

condition during the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2014. 

INFLATION 

105 

 
 
 
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees 

Ryanair  Holdings  was  established  in  1996  as  a  holding  company  for  Ryanair.  The  management  of 
Ryanair Holdings and Ryanair are integrated, with the two companies having the same directors and executive 
officers. 

The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  concerning  the  directors  of  Ryanair  Holdings  and 

Ryanair as of July 25, 2014:  

DIRECTORS 

Age 
71 
77 
64 
63 
70 
63 
53 
59 
65 
47 

Name 
David Bonderman (a)(b) .................................  
Michael Horgan (d) .........................................  
Charles McCreevy (c) .....................................  
Declan McKeon (c) .........................................  
Kyran McLaughlin (a)(b) ................................  
Dick Milliken (c) .............................................  
Michael O‘Leary (a)(b)(f) ...............................  
Julie O‘Neill (e) ...............................................  
James Osborne (a)(e) .......................................  
Louise Phelan (e) .............................................  
______________ 
(a) Member of the Executive Committee. 
(b) Member of the Nomination Committee. 
(c) Member of the Audit Committee. 
(d) Member of the Air Safety Committee. 
(e) Member of the Remuneration Committee. 
(f) Mr. O‘Leary is also the chief executive officer of Ryanair Holdings and Ryanair. None of the other directors 

Positions 
Chairman and Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director and CEO 
Director 
Director 
Director 

are executive officers of Ryanair Holdings or Ryanair. 

David Bonderman (Chairman). David Bonderman has served as a director since August 1996 and has served 
as the chairman of the Board of Directors since December 1996. Mr. Bonderman also serves on the Boards of 
the following public companies: Caesars Entertainment Corporation and CoStar Group, Inc. He also serves on 
the  Supervisory  Board  for  VTB  Bank.  In  addition,  he  serves  on  the  Boards  of  The  Wilderness  Society,  the 
Grand Canyon Trust, and the American Himalayan Foundation and is a U.S. citizen. 

Michael Horgan (Director). Michael Horgan has served as a director since January 2001. A former Chief Pilot 
of Aer Lingus, he has acted as a consultant to a number of international airlines, civil aviation authorities, the 
European  Commission  and  the  European  Bank  for  Reconstruction  and  Development.  Mr.  Horgan  is  the 
Chairman of the Company‘s Air Safety Committee and is an Irish citizen. 

Charles McCreevy (Director). Charles McCreevy has served as a director since May 2010. Mr. McCreevy has 
previously served as EU Commissioner for Internal Markets and Services (2004-2010) and has held positions in 
several Irish Government Ministerial Offices, including Minister for Finance (1997-2004), Minister for Tourism 
& Trade (1993-1994) and Minister for Social Welfare (1992-1993) and is an Irish citizen. 

Declan McKeon (Director). Declan McKeon has served as a director since May 2010. Mr. McKeon is a former 
audit partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers and continues to act as a consultant to PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is 
currently a director, chairman of the audit committee, and a member of the compensation committee of Icon plc 
and is an Irish citizen. 

Kyran  McLaughlin  (Director).  Kyran  McLaughlin  has  served  as  a  director  since  January  2001,  and  is  also 
Deputy  Chairman  and  Head  of  Capital  Markets  at  Davy  Stockbrokers.  Mr.  McLaughlin  also  advised  Ryanair 
during its initial flotation on the Dublin and NASDAQ stock markets in 1997. Mr. McLaughlin also serves as a 
director of a number of other Irish private companies and is an Irish citizen.  

106 

 
 
 
 
 
R.A.  (Dick)  Milliken  (Director).  Dick  Milliken  has  served  as  a  director  since  July  2013.  Mr.  Milliken  is  a 
former  CFO  of  the  Almac  Group  and  former  CEO  of  Lamont  plc.  A  qualified  Chartered  Accountant,  Mr. 
Milliken serves as a director of Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank, NI Science Park Foundation and a number of 
private  companies.  Mr.  Milliken  is  a  graduate  of  Queens  University  Belfast,  a  Fellow  of  the  Institute  of 
Chartered Accountants in Ireland and former Council member. He is a British citizen. 

Michael O‟Leary (Executive Director). Michael O‘Leary has served as a director of Ryanair since 1988 and a 
director of Ryanair Holdings since July 1996. Mr. O‘Leary was appointed chief executive officer of Ryanair in 
1994 and is an Irish citizen.  

Julie  O‟Neill  (Director). Julie  O‘Neill  has  served  as  a  director  since  December  2012. Ms.  O‘Neill  served  as 
Secretary General of the Department of Transport, Ireland from 2002 to 2009 and, in a career that spanned 37 
years  in  the  Irish  public  service,  worked  in  strategic  policy  development  and  implementation  in  eight 
Government Departments. She is now an independent strategic management consultant and serves as a director 
of Permanent TSB plc and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. She is a board member of the Sustainable Energy 
Authority of Ireland and also chairs the audit committee of Trinity College Dublin and is an Irish citizen. 

James Osborne (Director). James Osborne  has served as a director  of Ryanair Holdings  since  August 1996, 
and has been a director of Ryanair Ltd., since April 1995. Mr. Osborne is a former managing partner of A & L 
Goodbody Solicitors. He is also a former Chairman of Independent News and Media plc and a director of James 
Hardie Industries plc. He also serves as a director of a number of Irish private companies and is an Irish citizen. 

Louise Phelan (Director). Louise Phelan has served as a director since December 2012. Ms. Phelan is VP for 
PayPal  Global  Operations  Europe  Middle  East  and  Africa  (EMEA),  leading  over  2,000 people  in  Dublin, 
Dundalk and Berlin. Ms. Phelan is the current President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland and 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Dublin  Chamber  of  Commerce  Ireland,  CCMA  Ireland,  the  Women‘s  Executive 
Network (WXN), and is an Irish citizen. 

The Board of Directors has established a number of committees, including the following: 

Executive  Committee.  The  Board  of  Directors  established  the  Executive  Committee  in  August  1996. 
The Executive Committee can exercise the powers exercisable by the full Board of Directors in circumstances in 
which action by the Board of Directors is required but it is impracticable to convene a meeting of the full Board 
of  Directors.  Messrs.  Bonderman,  McLaughlin,  O‘Leary  and  Osborne  are  the  members  of  the  Executive 
Committee.  

Remuneration  Committee.  The  Board  of  Directors  established  the  Remuneration  Committee  in 
September  1996.  This  committee  has  authority  to  determine  the  remuneration  of  senior  executives  of  the 
Company  and  to  administer  the  stock  option  plans  described  below.  The  Board  of  Directors  as  a  whole 
determines the remuneration and bonuses of the chief executive officer, who is the only executive director. Mr. 
Osborne, Ms. O‘Neill and Ms. Phelan are the members of the Remuneration Committee. 

Audit Committee. The Board of Directors established the Audit Committee in September 1996 to make 
recommendations  concerning  the  engagement  of  independent  chartered  accountants;  to  review  with  the 
accountants the plans for and scope of each annual audit, the audit procedures to be utilized and the results of 
the audit; to approve the professional services provided by the accountants; to review the independence of the 
accountants;  and  to  review  the  adequacy  and  effectiveness  of  the  Company‘s  internal  accounting  controls. 
Messrs.  McKeon,  McCreevy  and  Milliken  are  the  members  of  the  Audit  Committee.  In  accordance  with  the 
recommendations  of  the  Irish  Combined  Code  of  Corporate  Governance  (the  ―Combined  Code‖),  a  senior 
independent non-executive director, Mr. McKeon, is the chairman of the Audit Committee. All members of the 
Audit  Committee  are  independent  for  purposes  of  the  listing  rules  of  the  NASDAQ  and  the  U.S.  federal 
securities laws. 

Nomination Committee. The Board of Directors established the Nomination Committee in May 1999 to 
make recommendations and proposals to the full Board of Directors concerning the selection of individuals to 
serve  as  executive  and  non-executive  directors.  The  Board  of  Directors  as  a  whole  then  makes  appropriate 
determinations  regarding  such  matters  after  considering  such  recommendations  and  proposals.  Messrs. 
Bonderman, McLaughlin and O‘Leary are the members of the Nomination Committee. 

107 

 
Air Safety Committee. The Board of Directors established the Air Safety Committee in March 1997 to 
review and discuss air safety and related issues. The Air Safety Committee reports to the full Board of Directors 
each quarter. The Air Safety Committee is composed of Mr. Horgan and Howard Millar, Chief Financial Officer 
and Accountable Manager for Safety (who both act as co-chairman), as well as the following executive officers 
of Ryanair: Messrs. Hickey, O‘Brien and Wilson and the Chief Pilot, Ray Conway. 

Powers of, and Action by, the Board of Directors 

The  Board  of  Directors  is  empowered  by  the  Articles  to  carry  on  the  business  of  Ryanair  Holdings, 
subject to the Articles, provisions of general law and the right of stockholders to give directions to the directors 
by way of ordinary resolutions. Every director who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Ryanair 
Holdings has one vote. In the case of a tie on a vote, the chairman of the Board of Directors has a second or tie-
breaking vote. A director may designate an alternate director to attend any Board of Directors meeting, and such 
alternate director shall have all the rights of a director at such meeting. 

The quorum for a meeting of the Board of Directors, unless another number is fixed by the directors, 
consists of three directors, a majority of whom must be EU nationals. The Articles require the vote of a majority 
of the directors (or alternates) present at a duly convened meeting for the approval of any action by the Board of 
Directors. 

Composition and Term of Office 

The Articles provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of no fewer than three and no more than 
15 directors, unless otherwise determined by the stockholders. There is no maximum age for a director and no 
director is required to own any shares of Ryanair Holdings. 

Directors  are  elected  (or  have  their  appointments  confirmed)  at  the  annual  general  meetings  of 
stockholders. Save in certain  circumstances, at every annual general  meeting, one-third  (rounded down to the 
next whole number if it is a fractional number) of the directors (being the directors who have been longest in 
office)  must  stand  for  re-election  as  their  terms  expire.  Accordingly  the  terms  of  David  Bonderman,  James 
Osborne and Michael O‘Leary will have expired and they will be eligible to offer themselves for re-election at 
the next annual general meeting of Ryanair. In addition, Michael Cawley, who was Ryanair‘s Chief Operating 
Officer up to March 2014, will also offer himself for appointment to the Board of Directors at the next Annual 
General Meeting, which is scheduled to be held on September 25, 2014.  

Exemptions from NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules  

The  Company  relies  on  certain  exemptions  from  the  NASDAQ  corporate  governance  rules.  These 

exemptions, and the practices the Company adheres to, are as follows:  

  The  Company  is  exempt  from  NASDAQ‘s  quorum  requirements  applicable  to  meetings  of 
shareholders,  which  require  a  minimum  quorum  of  33%  for  any  meeting  of  the  holders  of 
common  stock,  which  in  the  Company‘s  case  are  its  Ordinary  Shares.  In  keeping  with  Irish 
generally  accepted  business  practice,  the  Articles  provide  for  a  quorum  for  general  meetings  of 
shareholders of three shareholders, regardless of the level of their aggregate share ownership. 

  The Company is exempt from NASDAQ‘s requirement with respect to audit committee approval 
of related-party transactions, as well as its requirement that shareholders approve certain stock or 
asset purchases when a director, officer or substantial shareholder has an interest. The Company is 
subject  to  extensive  provisions  under  the  Listing  Rules  of  the  Irish  Stock  Exchange  (the  ―Irish 
Listing  Rules‖)  governing  transactions  with  related  parties,  as  defined  therein,  and  the  Irish 
Companies  Act  also  restricts  the  extent  to  which  Irish  companies  may  enter  into  related-party 
transactions.  In  addition,  the  Articles  contain  provisions  regarding  disclosure  of  interests  by  the 
directors  and  restrictions  on  their  votes  in  circumstances  involving  conflicts  of  interest.  The 
concept of a related party for purposes of NASDAQ‘s audit committee and shareholder approval 
rules differs in certain respects from the definition of a transaction with a related party under the 
Irish Listing Rules. 

108 

 
 
  NASDAQ requires shareholder approval for certain transactions involving the sale or issuance by 
a  listed  company  of  common  stock  other  than  in  a  public  offering.  Under  the  NASDAQ  rules, 
whether shareholder approval is required for such transactions depends, among other things, on the 
number  of  shares  to  be  issued  or  sold  in  connection  with  a  transaction,  while  the  Irish  Listing 
Rules require shareholder approval when the size of a transaction exceeds a certain percentage of 
the size of the listed company undertaking the transaction. 

  NASDAQ requires that each issuer solicit proxies and provide proxy statements for all meetings of 
shareholders and provide copies of such proxy solicitation to NASDAQ. The Company is exempt 
from this requirement as the solicitation of holders of ADSs is not required under the Irish Listing 
Rules or the Irish Companies Acts. Details of our annual general meetings and other shareholder 
meetings, together with the requirements for admission, voting or the appointment of a proxy are 
available  on  the  website  of  the  Company  in  accordance  with  the  Irish  Companies  Acts  and  the 
Company‘s  Articles of  Association.  ADS  holders  may provide instructions to The Bank of New 
York, as depositary, as to the voting of the underlying Ordinary Shares represented by such ADSs. 
Alternatively, ADS holders  may convert their holding to Ordinary Shares, subject to compliance 
with the nationality ownership rules, in order to be eligible to attend our annual general meetings 
or other shareholder meetings. 

  NASDAQ requires that all members of a listed company‘s Nominating Committee be independent 
directors,  unless  the  Company,  as  a  foreign  private  issuer,  provides  an  attestation  of  non-
conforming  practice  based  upon  home  country  practice  and  then  discloses  such  non-conforming 
practice annually in its Form 20-F.  As permitted by the UK Corporate Governance Code, Michael 
O‘Leary,  the  Company‘s  Chief  Executive  Officer,  serves  as  a  member  of  the  Company‘s 
Nominating Committee. 

109 

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company also follows certain other practices under the UK Corporate Governance Code in lieu of 
those set forth in the NASDAQ corporate governance rules, as expressly permitted thereby. Most significantly:  

Independence. NASDAQ requires that a majority of an issuer‘s Board of Directors be ―independent‖ under 
the  standards  set  forth  in  the  NASDAQ  rules  and  that  directors  deemed  independent  be  identified  in  the 
Company‘s  annual  report  on  Form  20-F.  The  Board  of  Directors  has  determined  that  each  of  the  Company‘s 
nine  non-executive  directors  is  ―independent‖  under  the  standards  set  forth  in  the  UK  Corporate  Governance 
Code.    Under  the  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code,  there  is  no  bright-line  test  establishing  set  criteria  for 
independence, as there is under NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(12). Instead, the Board of Directors determines whether 
the  director is  ―independent in character and judgment,‖ and  whether there are relationships or circumstances 
which  are  likely  to  affect,  or  could  appear  to  affect,  the  director‘s  judgment.  Under  the  UK  Corporate 
Governance  Code,  the  Board  of  Directors  may  determine  that  a  director  is  independent  notwithstanding  the 
existence of relationships or circumstances which may appear relevant to its determination, but it should state its 
reasons  if  it  makes  such  a  determination.  The  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  specifies  that  relationships  or 
circumstances  that  may  be  relevant  include  whether  the  director:  (i)  has  been  an  employee  of  the  relevant 
company or group within the last five years; (ii) has had within the last three years a direct or indirect material 
business  relationship  with  such  company;  (iii)  has  received  payments  from  such  company,  subject  to  certain 
exceptions;  (iv)  has  close  family  ties  with  any  of  the  company‘s  advisers,  directors  or  senior  employees;  (v) 
holds cross-directorships or other significant links with other directors; (vi) represents a significant shareholder; 
or (vii) has served on the Board of Directors for more than nine years. In determining that each of the nine non-
executive  directors  is  independent  under  the  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  standard,  the  Ryanair  Holdings 
Board of Directors identified such relevant factors with respect to non-executive directors Messrs. Bonderman, 
McLaughlin, Osborne and Horgan. The Board has considered Kyran McLaughlin's independence given his role 
as  Deputy  Chairman  and  Head  of  Capital  Markets  at  Davy  Stockbrokers.  Davy  Stockbrokers  are  one  of 
Ryanair's corporate  brokers and provide corporate  advisory services to Ryanair from  time to time. The Board 
has considered the fees paid to Davy Stockbrokers for these services and believe that they are immaterial to both 
Ryanair and Davy Stockbrokers given the size of each organisation's business operations and financial results. 
Having  considered  this  relationship,  the  Board  has  concluded  that  Kyran  McLaughlin  continues  to  be  an 
independent non-executive director within the spirit and meaning of the 2012 Code Rules. The Board has also 
considered the independence of David Bonderman given his shareholding in Ryanair Holdings plc. As at March 
31,  2014,  David  Bonderman  had  a  beneficial  shareholding  in  the  Company  of  7,655,671  ordinary  shares, 
equivalent to 0.55% of the issued share capital. Having considered this shareholding in light of the number of 
issued shares in Ryanair Holdings plc and the financial interest of the director, the Board has concluded that the 
interest is not so material as to breach the spirit of the independence rule contained in the 2012 Code. The Board 
has further considered the independence of Messrs. David Bonderman, James Osborne, Kyran McLaughlin and 
Michael Horgan as they have each served more than nine years on the Board. The Board considers that each of 
these directors is independent in character and judgment as  they either have  other significant commercial and 
professional commitments and/or brings his own level of senior experience gained in their fields of international 
business  and  professional  practice.  When  arriving  at  this  decision,  the  Board  has  taken  into  account  the 
comments made by the Financial Reporting Council in their report dated December, 2009 on their review of the 
impact  and  effectiveness  of  the  Code,  in  particular  their  comment  that  independence  is  not  the  primary 
consideration when assessing the composition of the Board, and that the over-riding consideration should be that 
the  Board  is  fit  for  purpose.  For  these  reasons,  and  also  because  each  director‘s  independence  is  considered 
annually by the Board, the Board considers it appropriate that these directors have not been offered for annual 
re-election  as  is  recommended  by  the  2012  Code.  When  arriving  at  the  decision  that  these  directors  are 
nonetheless  independent,  the  Board  of  Directors  has  taken  into  account  the  comments  made  by  the  Financial 
Reporting Council in its report dated December 2009 on its review of the impact and effectiveness of the  UK 
Corporate Governance Code. The NASDAQ independence criteria specifically state that an individual may not 
be considered independent if, within the last three years, such individual or a member of his or her immediate 
family  has  had  certain  specified  relationships  with  the  company,  its  parent,  any  consolidated  subsidiary,  its 
internal or external auditors, or any company that has significant business relationships  with the company, its 
parent or any consolidated subsidiary. Neither ownership of a significant amount of stock nor length of service 
on the board is a per se bar to independence under the NASDAQ rules. 

110 

 
 
 
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 

The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  concerning  the  executive  officers  of  Ryanair 

Holdings and Ryanair at June 30, 2014: 

Name 

Age  Position 

Michael Hickey ........................................  
Kenny Jacobs............................................  
Juliusz Komorek .......................................  
Howard Millar ..........................................  
David O‘Brien ..........................................  
Michael O‘Leary ......................................  
Edward Wilson .........................................  

51  Group Director of Operations  
40  Chief Marketing Officer 
36  Director of Legal & Regulatory Affairs; Company Secretary 
53  Deputy Chief Executive; Chief Financial Officer  
50  Chief Commercial Officer 
53  Director and Chief Executive Officer 
50  Director of Personnel and In-flight  

Michael Hickey (Group Director of Operations). Michael was appointed as Group Director of Operations in 
January 2014 having held the position of Director of Engineering since January 2000. Michael who has an MSC 
in Air Safety Management from City University in London is a licensed aircraft engineer and holds an EASA 
private pilot‘s license. He has held a wide range of senior positions within the Engineering Department since he 
joined  Ryanair  in  1988  and  was  Deputy  Director  of  Engineering  between  1992  and  January  2000.  Prior  to 
joining Ryanair, Michael worked as an aircraft engineer with Fields Aircraft Services and McAlpine Aviation, 
working primarily on executive aircraft. 

Kenny Jacobs (Chief Marketing Officer). Kenny Jacobs  was appointed Chief Marketing Officer in January 
2014. He is responsible for sales, marketing and customer service at Ryanair. Previously Kenny was CMO for 
Moneysupermarket plc. which has a set of digital brands saving consumers money on insurance, finance, energy 
and travel. Kenny has spent most of his career in retail with Tesco PLC as marketing director in Tesco Ireland 
and brand director for Tesco UK. Prior to that he  worked  for German retailer Metro Group GmbH in various 
roles in marketing and IT in Europe and Asia.  

Juliusz  Komorek  (Director  of  Legal  &  Regulatory  Affairs;  Company  Secretary).  Juliusz  Komorek  was 
appointed  Company  Secretary  and  Director  of  Legal  and  Regulatory  Affairs  in  May  2009,  having  served  as 
Deputy Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs since 2007. Prior to joining the Company in 2004, Juliusz had 
gained relevant experience in the European Commission‘s Directorate General for Competition and in the Polish 
Embassy  to  the  EU  in  Brussels,  as  well  as  in  the  private  sector  in  Poland  and  the  Netherlands.  Juliusz  is  a 
lawyer, holding degrees from the universities of Warsaw and Amsterdam.  

Howard  Millar  (Deputy  Chief  Executive;  Chief  Financial  Officer).  Howard  Millar  was  appointed  Deputy 
Chief  Executive  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  on  January  1,  2003,  having  served  as  Director  of  Finance  of 
Ryanair from March 1993. Between April 1992 and March 1993 he served as Financial Controller of Ryanair. 
Howard  was  the  Group  Finance  Manager  for  the  Almarai  Group,  the  largest  integrated  dairy  food  processing 
company in the world, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 1988 to 1992. On June 30, 2014, the Company announced 
that Howard has decided to step down from his full-time executive role on December 31, 2014 to pursue other 
career opportunities; Howard has been invited to join the board of directors of Ryanair after he steps down as a 
full-time executive. The current Finance Director Neil Sorahan has been appointed Chief Financial Officer with 
effect from October 1, 2014. 

David  O‟Brien  (Chief  Commercial  Officer).  David  O‘Brien  was  appointed  Chief  Commercial  Officer  in 
January 2014 having previously served as Ryanair‘s Director of Flight and Ground Operations from December 
2002.  A  graduate  of  the  Irish  Military  College,  David  followed  a  military  career  with  positions  in  the  airport 
sector and agribusiness in the Middle East, Russia and Asia. 

Michael O‟Leary (Chief Executive Officer). Michael O‘Leary has served as a director of Ryanair since 1988 
and  a  director  of  Ryanair  Holdings  since  July  1996.  Mr.  O‘Leary  was  appointed  chief  executive  officer  of 
Ryanair in 1994.  

111 

 
 
Edward Wilson (Director of Personnel and In-flight). Edward Wilson was appointed Director of Personnel 
and  In-flight  in  December  2002,  prior  to  which  he  served  as  Head  of  Personnel  since  joining  Ryanair  in 
December 1997. Prior to joining Ryanair he served as Human Resources Manager for Gateway 2000 and held a 
number of other human resources-related positions in the Irish financial services sector. 

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 

Compensation 

The aggregate amount of compensation paid by Ryanair Holdings and its subsidiaries to the nine sitting 
non-executive directors and seven executive officers named above in the 2014 fiscal year was €6.8 million. For 
details of Mr. O‘Leary‘s compensation in such fiscal year, see ―—Employment and Bonus Agreement with Mr. 
O‘Leary‖ below 

Each of Ryanair Holdings‘ nine non-executive directors is entitled to receive €35,000 plus expenses per 
annum,  as  remuneration  for  their  services  to  Ryanair  Holdings.  The  Chairman  of  the  Board  receives  a  fee  of 
€100,000  per  annum.  Prior  to  the  2014  fiscal  year,  Mr.  Bonderman  had  waived  his  entitlement  to  receive 
remuneration.  The  additional  remuneration  paid  to  Committee  members  for  service  on  that  committee  is 
€15,000 per annum. Mr. Horgan receives €40,000 per annum in connection with his additional duties in relation 
to the Air Safety Committee.  

For further details of stock options that have been granted to the Company‘s employees, including the 
executive  officers,  see  ―Item  10.  Additional  Information—Options  to  Purchase  Securities  from  Registrant  or 
Subsidiaries,‖ as well as Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements included herein. 

Employment and Bonus Agreement with Mr. O‟Leary 

Mr.  O‘Leary‘s  current  employment  agreement  with  the  Company  is  dated  July  1,  2002  and  can  be 
terminated  by  either  party  upon  12  months‘  notice.  Pursuant  to  the  agreement,  Mr.  O‘Leary  serves  as  Chief 
Executive  Officer  at  a  current  annual  gross  salary  of  €968,425,  subject  to  any  increases  that  may  be  agreed 
between the Company and Mr. O‘Leary. Mr. O‘Leary is also eligible for annual bonuses as determined by the 
Board of Directors of the Company; the amount of  such bonuses paid to Mr. O‘Leary in the 2014  fiscal  year 
totaled €783,000. Mr. O‘Leary is subject to a covenant not to compete with the Company within the EU for a 
period  of  two  years  after  the  termination  of  his  employment  with  the  Company.  Mr.  O‘Leary‘s  employment 
agreement does not contain provisions providing for compensation on its termination. 

STAFF AND LABOR RELATIONS 

The following table sets forth the details of Ryanair‘s team at each of March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:  

Classification 

2014 

Number of Staff at March 31, 
2013 

2012 

Management ..............................................  
Administrative ...........................................  
Maintenance ...............................................  
Ground Operations .....................................  
Pilots ..........................................................  
Flight Attendants .......................................  

Total ...........................................................  

105 
290 
139 
220 
2,665 
5,573* 

8,992 

99 
282 
139 
229 
2,625 
5,763 

9,137 

99 
280 
138 
243 
2,429 
5,199 

8,388 

* Decrease on prior year due to lower aircraft in operation in March 2014 and cabin crew staff being furloughed. 

Ryanair‘s pilots, flight attendants and maintenance and ground operations  personnel undergo training, 
both initial and recurrent. A substantial portion of the initial training for Ryanair‘s flight attendants is devoted to 
safety procedures, and cabin crew are required to undergo annual evacuation and fire drill training during their 
tenure with the airline. Ryanair also provides salary increases to its engineers who complete advanced training 
in  certain  fields  of  aircraft  maintenance.  Ryanair  utilizes  its  own  Boeing  737-800  aircraft  simulators  for  pilot 
training.  

112 

 
 
 
 
IAA regulations require pilots to be licensed as commercial pilots with specific ratings for each aircraft 
to be flown. In addition, IAA regulations require all commercial pilots to be medically certified as physically fit. 
At March 31, 2014, the average age of Ryanair‘s pilots was  35 years and their average period of employment 
with Ryanair was 5.2 years. Licenses and medical certification are subject to periodic re-evaluation and require 
recurrent  training  and  recent  flying  experience  in  order  to  be  maintained.  Maintenance  engineers  must  be 
licensed and qualified for specific aircraft types. Flight attendants must undergo initial and periodic competency 
training. Training programs are subject to approval and monitoring by the IAA. In addition, the appointment of 
senior  management  personnel  directly  involved  in  the  supervision  of  flight  operations,  training,  maintenance 
and aircraft inspection must be satisfactory to the IAA. Based on its experience in managing the airline‘s growth 
to  date,  management  believes  that  there  is  a  sufficient  pool  of  qualified  and  licensed  pilots,  engineers  and 
mechanics  within  the  EU  to  satisfy  Ryanair‘s  anticipated  future  needs  in  the  areas  of  flight  operations, 
maintenance and quality control and that Ryanair will not face significant difficulty in hiring and continuing to 
employ the required personnel. Ryanair has also been able to satisfy its needs for additional pilots through the 
use  of  contract  agencies.    These  contract  pilots  are  included  in  the  table  above.  In  addition,  Ryanair  has  also 
been able to satisfy its needs for additional flight attendants through the use of contract agencies. These contract 
flight attendants are included in the table above. 

Ryanair  has  a  licensed  approved  organization  in  Holland  to  operate  pilot  training  courses  using 
Ryanair‘s  syllabus,  in  order  to  grant  Boeing  737  type-ratings.  Each  trainee  pilot  must  pay  for  his  or  her  own 
training and, based on his or her performance, he or she may be offered a position operating on Ryanair aircraft. 
This program enables Ryanair to secure a continuous stream of type-rated co-pilots.  

Ryanair‘s crews earn productivity-based incentive payments, including a sales bonus for onboard sales 
for flight attendants and payments based on the number of hours or sectors flown by pilots and flight attendants 
(within limits set by industry standards or regulations fixing maximum working hours). During the 2014 fiscal 
year,  such  productivity-based  incentive  payments  accounted  for  approximately  44%  of  an  average  flight 
attendant‘s  total  earnings  and  approximately  32%  of  the  typical  pilot‘s  compensation.  Pilots  at  65  out  of 
Ryanair‘s 69 bases are covered by four or five year agreements on pay, allowances and rosters which fall due 
for negotiation at various dates between 2014 and 2019. Cabin crew at all Ryanair bases are also party to long 
term collective agreements on pay, allowances and rosters which expire March 2017.  In March 2013, Ryanair 
agreed to increase the pay of pilots and cabin crew in accordance with the terms of individual base agreements. 
Ryanair‘s  pilots  are  currently  subject  to  IAA-approved  limits  of  100  flight-hours  per  28-day  cycle  and  900 
flight-hours per fiscal year. For the 2014 fiscal year, the average flight-hours for Ryanair‘s pilots amounted to 
approximately  68 hours per  month and approximately  812 hours  for the  complete  year, an approximately 2% 
increase on the previous fiscal year. If more stringent regulations on flight hours were to be adopted, Ryanair‘s 
flight  personnel  could  experience  a  reduction  in  their  total  pay  due  to  lower  compensation  for  the  number  of 
hours or sectors flown and Ryanair could be required to hire additional flight personnel.  

Ryanair considers its relations with its employees to be good. Ryanair currently negotiates with groups 
of  employees,  including  its  pilots,  through  ―Employee  Representation  Committees‖  (―ERCs‖)  regarding  pay, 
work  practices  and  conditions  of  employment,  including  conducting  formal  negotiations  with  these  internal 
collective bargaining units. Ryanair‘s senior management meets regularly with the different ERCs to discuss all 
aspects of the business and those issues that specifically relate to each relevant employee group.  

Ryanair  Holdings‘  shareholders  have  approved  a  number  of  share  option  plans  for  employees  and 
directors.  Ryanair  Holdings  has  also  issued  share  options  to  certain  of  its  senior  managers.  For  details  of  all 
outstanding  share  options,  see  ―Item  10.  Additional  Information––Options  to  Purchase  Securities  from 
Registrant or Subsidiaries.‖ 

113 

 
 
 
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions 

As  of  June  30,  2014,  there  were  1,384,203,806  Ordinary  Shares  outstanding.  As  of  that  date, 
112,316,349 ADRs, representing 561,581,745 Ordinary Shares, were held of record in the United States by 55 
holders, and represented in the aggregate 40.57% of the number of Ordinary Shares then outstanding. See ―Item 
10.  Additional  InformationArticles  of  Association‖  and  ―Limitations  on  Share  Ownership  by  Non-EU 
Nationals.‖ 

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS 

Based on information available to Ryanair Holdings, the  following table summarizes the holdings of 
those shareholders holding 3% or more of the Ordinary Shares as of June 30, 2014, June 30, 2013 and June 30, 
2012, the latest practicable date prior to the Company‘s publication of its statutory annual report in each of the 
relevant years. 

Capital Research and Management 

No. of Shares 

As of June 30, 2014 

% of 
Class  No. of Shares 

As of June 30, 2013 
% of 
Class 

As of June 30, 2012 
% of 
Class 

No. of Shares 

Company ...................................................   230,832,565  16.7% 

190,022,595 

13.4% 

239,479,390  16.6% 

Baillie Gifford  ..............................................  

79,001,583  5.7% 

BlackRock Inc ..............................................  

70,993,234  5.1% 

Manning and Napier .....................................  Not Reportable  n/a 

Michael O‘Leary  ..........................................  

51,381,256  3.7% 

71,863,457 

68,532,811 

48,194,525 

51,081,256 

5.0% 

4.8% 

3.4% 

3.6% 

52,883,746 

74,688,280 

85,044,870 

51,081,256 

3.7% 

5.2% 

5.9% 

3.5% 

As  of  June  30,  2014,  the  directors  and  executive  officers  of  Ryanair  Holdings  as  a  group  owned 
59,739,183 Ordinary Shares, representing 4.3% % of Ryanair Holdings‘ outstanding Ordinary Shares as of such 
date. See also Note 19(d) to the consolidated financial statements included herein. Each of our shareholders has 
identical voting rights with respect to its Ordinary Shares. 

As of March 31, 2014, there were 1,383,237,668 Ordinary Shares outstanding. 

Based  on  information  available  to  Ryanair  Holdings  plc,  the  following  table  summarizes  shareholdings  in 
excess of 3% or more of the Ordinary Shares as of March 31, 2014, March 31 2013 and March 31, 2012.   

As of March 31, 2014 
% of 
Class  No. of Shares 

As of March 31, 2013 
% of 
Class 

No. of Shares 

As of March 31, 2012 
% of 
Class 

No. of Shares 

Capital Research and Management 

Company. ..................................................   230,917,315  16.7% 

191,997,595 

13.3% 

275,514,695  18.9% 

Baillie Gifford  ..............................................  
BlackRock Inc ..............................................  

77,578,902 
75,178,344 

Manning and Napier .....................................  Not Reportable 

Michael O‘Leary  ..........................................  

51,081,256 

5.6% 
5.4% 

n/a% 

3.7% 

Standard Life  ...............................................  

44,213,767 

3.2% 

70,323,718 
66,399,232 

59,095,500 

51,081,256 
Not 
Reportable 

4.9%  Not Reportable 
66,163,716 
4.6% 

4.1% 

3.5% 

73,249,220 

51,081,256 

n/a 
4.5% 

5.0% 

3.5% 

n/a  Not Reportable 

n/a 

114 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

The  Company  has not entered into any  ―related party transactions‖  (except  for remuneration paid by 
Ryanair to members of senior management and the board of directors as disclosed in note 27 to the consolidated 
financial statements) as defined in Item 7.B. of Form 20-F in the three fiscal years ending March 31, 2014 or in 
the period from March 31, 2014 to the date hereof. 

Item 8. Financial Information 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Please refer to ―Item 18. Financial Statements.‖ 

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

Legal Proceedings  

The  Company  is  engaged  in  litigation  arising  in  the  ordinary  course  of  its  business.  Although  no 
assurance can be given as to the outcome of any current or pending litigation, management does not believe that 
any  of  such  litigation  will,  individually  or  in  the  aggregate,  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  results  of 
operations or financial condition of the Company, except as described below.  

EU State Aid-Related Proceedings. On December 11, 2002, the European Commission announced the 
launch  of  an  investigation  into  the  2001  agreement  among  Ryanair,  the  Brussels  (Charleroi)  airport  and  the 
government of the Walloon Region of Belgium, the owner of the airport, which enabled the Company to launch 
new routes and base up to four aircraft at Brussels (Charleroi). The European Commission‘s investigation was 
based  on  an  anonymous  complaint  alleging  that  Ryanair‘s  arrangements  with  Brussels  (Charleroi)  constituted 
illegal state aid.  

The European Commission issued its decision on February 12, 2004. As regards  to the majority of the 
arrangements between Ryanair, the airport and the region, the European Commission found that although they 
constituted  state  aid,  they  were  nevertheless  compatible  with  the  EC  Treaty  provisions  and  therefore  did  not 
require  repayment.  However,  the  European  Commission  also  found  that  certain  other  arrangements  did 
constitute  illegal  state  aid  and  therefore  ordered  Ryanair  to  repay  the  amount  of  the  benefit  received  in 
connection  with  those  arrangements.  On  April  20,  2004,  the  Walloon  Region  wrote  to  Ryanair  requesting 
repayment of such state aid, although it acknowledged that Ryanair could offset against the amount of such state 
aid  certain  costs  incurred  in  relation  to  the  establishment  of  the  base,  in  accordance  with  the  European 
Commission‘s decision. Ryanair made the requested repayment. 

On  May  25,  2004,  Ryanair  appealed  the  decision  of  the  European  Commission  to  the  Court  of  First 

Instance (―CFI‖), requesting the court to annul the decision because: 

 

 

the European Commission infringed Article 253 of the EC Treaty by failing to provide adequate 
reasons for its decision; and 

the European Commission misapplied Article 87 of the EC Treaty by failing to properly apply the 
Market Economy Investor Principle (MEIP), which generally holds that an investment made by a 
public entity that would have been made on the same basis by a private entity does not constitute 
state aid. 

In March 2008, Ryanair had its hearing before the CFI, and in December 2008, the CFI annulled the 
European Commission‘s decision.  Ryanair  was repaid the  €4.0 million that the  Commission  had claimed  was 
illegal  state  aid.  The  Belgian  government  has  also  withdrawn  a  separate  €2.3  million  action  against  Ryanair 
arising from the European Commission‘s decision. 

115 

 
 
 
In  January  2010,  the  European  Commission  concluded  that  the  financial  arrangements  between 
Bratislava airport in Slovakia and Ryanair do not constitute state aid within the meaning of EU rules, because 
these arrangements were in line with market terms. In July 2012, the European Commission similarly concluded 
that the financial arrangements between Tampere airport in Finland and Ryanair do not constitute state aid. In 
February  2014,  the  European  Commission  decided  that  the  financial  arrangements  between  Aarhus,  Berlin 
(Schönefeld) and  Marseille airports, and Ryanair, did  not constitute  state aid. On July 23, 2014 the European 
Commission announced a ‗no state aid‘ decision in respect of Dusseldorf (Weeze) airport, as well as findings of 
state aid to Ryanair in its arrangements with Pau, Nimes and Angouleme airports, ordering  Ryanair to repay a 
total of approximately €9.7m of alleged aid.  Ryanair will appeal these ‗aid‘ decisions to the EU General Court 
where proceedings are expected to take between 2 and 4 years.   

Ryanair  is  facing  similar  legal  challenges  with  respect  to  agreements  with  certain  other  airports, 
notably Lübeck, Alghero, Frankfurt (Hahn), Zweibrücken, Altenburg, Klagenfurt,  (Stockholm) Vasteras, Paris 
(Beauvais), La Rochelle, Carcassonne, Cagliari, Brussels (Charleroi), Girona and Reus. These investigations are 
ongoing  and  Ryanair  currently  expects  that  they  will  conclude  in  mid  to  late  2014,  with  any  European 
Commission decisions appealable to the EU General Court. 

State aid complaints by Lufthansa about Ryanair‘s cost base at Frankfurt (Hahn) have been rejected by 
German  courts,  as  have  similar  complaints  by  Air  Berlin  in  relation  to  Ryanair‘s  arrangement  with  Lubeck 
airport, but following a German Supreme Court ruling on a procedural issue in early 2011, these cases will be 
re-heard  by  lower  courts.  In  addition,  Ryanair  has  been  involved  in  legal  challenges  including  allegations  of 
state  aid  at  Alghero,  Marseille  and  Berlin  Schönefeld  airports.  The  Alghero  case  (initiated  by  Air  One)  was 
dismissed in its entirety in April 2011. The Marseille case  was withdrawn by the plaintiffs (subsidiaries of Air 
France)  in  May  2011.  The  Berlin  Schönefeld,  initiated  by  Germania,  case  was  discontinued  following  the 
European  Commission‘s  finding  in  February  2014  that  Ryanair‘s  arrangement  with  the  airport  contained  no 
state aid. 

In September 2005, the European Commission announced new guidelines on the financing of airports 
and  the  provision  of  start-up  aid  to  airlines  departing  from  regional  airports,  based  on  the  European 
Commission‘s  finding  in  the  Brussels  (Charleroi)  case,  which  Ryanair  successfully  appealed.  The  guidelines 
applied only to publicly owned regional airports, and placed restrictions on the incentives these airports could 
offer  airlines  to  deliver  traffic.  The  guidelines  applied  only  in  cases  in  which  the  terms  offered  by  a  public 
airport  are  in  excess  of  what  a  similar  private  airport  would  have  offered.  Ryanair  deals  with  airports,  both 
public  and  private,  on  an  equal  basis  and  receives  the  same  cost  agreements  from  both.  The  guidelines  have 
therefore had no impact on Ryanair‘s business, although they have caused significant uncertainty in the industry 
in relation to what public airports may or may not do in order to attract traffic. 

Ryanair believes that the positive decision by the CFI in the  Brussels (Charleroi) case has caused the 
European  Commission  to  rethink  its  policy  in  this  area,  and  that  the  revised  guidelines,  published  by  the 
European Commission in April 2014, will provide more certainty in the industry as to how public airports may 
deal  with  airlines  in  offering  incentives  for  traffic  growth.  However,  adverse  rulings  in  the  above  or  similar 
cases could be used as precedents by other competitors to challenge Ryanair‘s agreements with other publicly 
owned airports and could cause Ryanair to strongly reconsider its growth strategy in relation to public or state-
owned airports across Europe. This could in turn lead to a scaling back of Ryanair‘s growth strategy due to the 
smaller  number  of  privately  owned  airports  available  for  development.  No  assurance  can  be  given  as  to  the 
outcome  of  these  proceedings,  nor  as  to  whether  any  unfavorable  outcomes  may,  individually  or  in  the 
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. 

In November 2007, Ryanair initiated proceedings in the CFI against the European Commission for its 
failure to take action on a number of state aid complaints Ryanair had submitted against Air France, Lufthansa, 
Alitalia, Volare and Olympic Airways. Following the  European Commission‘s subsequent findings that illegal 
state  aid  had  been  provided  to  Air  France  and  Olympic  Airways,  Ryanair  withdrew  the  two  relevant 
proceedings.  The  case  related  to  Lufthansa  concluded  with  the  EU  General  Court‘s  ruling  in  May  2011,  in 
which the Court found that while the European Commission has not failed to act, it has unreasonably delayed 
the  launch  of  the  investigation,  which  justified  Ryanair‘s  action  for  failure  to  act.  Consequently,  the  Court 
ordered  the  European  Commission  to  pay  50%  of  Ryanair‘s  costs  in  the  proceedings.  Similarly,  in  October 
2011,  the  General  Court  found  that  the  European  Commission  has  failed  to  act  on  Ryanair‘s  2005-2006 
complaints against state aid to Alitalia. The European Commission appealed the ruling to the Court of Justice of 
the European Union, and on May 16, 2013, the European Commission‘s appeal was rejected.  

116 

 
In  November  2008,  Ryanair  initiated  proceedings  in  the  CFI  contesting  the  European  Commission‘s 
refusal to grant Ryanair access to documents relating to the European Commission‘s state aid investigations at 
Hamburg  (Lubeck),  Tampere,  Berlin  (Schonefeld),  Alghero,  Pau,  Aarhus,  Bratislava  and  Frankfurt  (Hahn) 
airports. These cases were heard on July 7, 2010 and a judgment was issued in December 2010. The CFI found 
that  the  European  Commission  had  acted  in  line  with  applicable  legislation,  which  highlighted  the  unfairness 
inherent in state aid procedures in the EU, whereby alleged beneficiaries of aid have no right of access to the 
European  Commission‘s  files  and  therefore  cannot  properly  exercise  their  rights  to  defense  and  good 
administration. The CFI ordered the European Commission to pay Ryanair‘s costs in three of the eight access to 
documents cases. 

As a result of rising airport charges and the introduction of an Air Travel Tax, in March 2009, of €10 
on  passengers  departing  from  Irish  airports  on  routes  longer  than  300  kilometers  from  Dublin  Airport  (€2 on 
shorter routes), Ryanair reduced its fleet at Dublin airport to 13 during winter 2010 (down from 22 in summer 
2008  and  20  in  winter  2008).  Ryanair  also  complained  to  the  European  Commission  about  the  unlawful 
differentiation in the level of the Irish Air Travel tax between routes within the EU. From April 2011, a single 
rate  (€3)  of  the  Air  Travel  Tax  was  introduced  on  all  routes  (and  subsequently  eliminated  entirely  in  April 
2014). In July 2012 the European Commission found that Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Aer Arann had received state 
aid  from  the  Irish  government  by  way  of  a  two-tier  air  travel  tax  levied  on  passengers  departing  from  Irish 
airports.  Ryanair  appealed  this  decision  and  a  hearing  in  the  EU  General  Court  took  place  in  June  2014  and 
judgment is expected within six months of the hearing. Also in July 2012, Ryanair issued proceedings before the 
Irish courts seeking repayment of the entire amount of the air travel tax paid by Ryanair during the period (€87.8 
million)  where  it  was  two-tier  on  the  basis  of  its  illegality.  In  April  2013  the  Irish  government  issued 
proceedings against Ryanair seeking recovery of €12 million of alleged state aid attributable to Ryanair, arising 
from the European Commission decision. There is a risk that Ryanair will be ordered by the Irish courts to pay 
the  €12  million  amount  to  the  Irish  government  notwithstanding  Ryanair‘s  claim  for  repayment  of  the  entire 
amount of the tax. 

Matters  Related  to  Investment  in  Aer  Lingus.  During  the  2007  fiscal  year,  the  Company  acquired 
25.2% of Aer Lingus. The Company  increased its interest to 29.3% during the 2008 fiscal year, and to 29.8% 
during  the  2009  fiscal  year  at  a  total  aggregate  cost  of  €407.2  million.  Following  the  acquisition  of  its  initial 
stake and upon the approval of the Company‘s shareholders, management proposed to effect a tender offer to 
acquire  the  entire  share  capital  of  Aer  Lingus.  This  2006  offer  was,  however,  prohibited  by  the  European 
Commission on competition grounds. Ryanair filed an appeal with the CFI, which was heard in July 2009. On 
July 6, 2010 the Court upheld the European Commission‘s decision. (see also: ―Item 5. Operating and Financial 
Review and Prospects—Business Overview‖). 

The then EU Commissioner for Competition, Neelie Kroes, said on June 27, 2007 that, ―Since Ryanair 
is not in a position to exert de jure or de facto control over Aer Lingus, the European Commission is not in a 
position to require Ryanair to divest its minority shareholding, which is, by the way, not a controlling stake.‖ In 
October 2007, the European Commission also reached a formal decision that it would not force Ryanair to sell 
its shares in Aer Lingus. However, Aer Lingus appealed this decision before the CFI. In January 2008, the CFI 
heard an application by Aer Lingus for interim measures limiting Ryanair‘s voting rights, pending a decision of 
the  CFI  on  Aer  Lingus‘  appeal  of  the  European  Commission‘s  decision  not  to  force  Ryanair  to  sell  the  Aer 
Lingus shares. In March 2008, the court dismissed Aer Lingus‘ application for interim measures. Aer Lingus‘ 
main appeal was heard in July 2009. On July 6, 2010, the court rejected Aer Lingus‘ appeal and confirmed that 
Ryanair  cannot  be  forced  to  dispose  of  its  29.8%  stake  in  Aer  Lingus.  Aer  Lingus  chose  not  to  appeal  this 
judgment to the  Court of Justice  of the EU. EU legislation  may change in the  future to  require such a  forced 
disposal. If eventually forced to dispose of its stake in Aer Lingus, Ryanair could suffer significant losses due to 
the negative impact on market prices of the forced sale of such a significant portion of Aer Lingus‘ shares.  

On December 1, 2008, Ryanair made a second offer to acquire all of the ordinary shares of Aer Lingus 
it did not own at a price of €1.40 per ordinary share. Ryanair offered to keep Aer Lingus as a separate company, 
maintain the Aer Lingus brand, and retain its Heathrow slots and connectivity. Ryanair also proposed to double 
Aer  Lingus‘  short-haul  fleet  from  33  to  66  aircraft  and  to  create  1,000  associated  new  jobs  over  a  five-year 
period. If the offer had been accepted, the Irish government would have received over €180 million in cash. The 
employee share ownership trust and employees who owned 18% of Aer Lingus would have received over €137 
million in cash. The Company met Aer Lingus management, representatives of the employee share  ownership 
trust and other parties. The offer of €1.40 per  Aer Lingus share represented a premium of approximately 25% 
over  the  closing  price  of  €1.12  on  November  28,  2008.  Ryanair  also  advised  the  market  that  it  would  not 

117 

 
proceed to seek EU approval for the new bid unless the shareholders agreed to sell their stakes in Aer Lingus to 
Ryanair. However, as the Company was unable to secure the shareholders‘ support it decided, on January 28, 
2009, to withdraw its second offer for Aer Lingus. 

The United Kingdom‘s Office of Fair Trading (―OFT‖) wrote to Ryanair in September 2010, advising 
that  it  intended  to  investigate  Ryanair‘s  minority  stake  in  Aer  Lingus.  Ryanair  objected  on  the  basis  that  the 
OFT‘s  investigation  was  time-barred.  Ryanair  contended  that  the  OFT  had  and  missed  the  opportunity  to 
investigate Ryanair‘s minority stake within four months from the European Commission‘s June 2007 decision to 
prohibit  Ryanair‘s  takeover  of  Aer  Lingus.  The  OFT  agreed  in  October  2010  to  suspend  its  investigation 
pending the outcome of Ryanair‘s appeal against the OFT‘s decision that its investigation is not time barred. On 
July 28, 2011, the  Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled that the OFT was not time barred when it attempted in 
September 2010 to open an investigation into Ryanair‘s 2006 acquisition of a minority non-controlling stake in 
Aer  Lingus.    Ryanair  subsequently  appealed  the  Competition  Appeal  Tribunal‘s  decision.    On  November  24, 
2011, the UK Court of Appeal ordered a stay of the OFT‘s investigation into Ryanair‘s minority stake in Aer 
Lingus pending the outcome of the appeal.  On May 22, 2012, the UK Court of Appeal found that the OFT was 
not time barred to investigate Ryanair‘s minority stake in Aer Lingus in September 2010. Ryanair subsequently 
sought  permission  to  appeal  this  ruling  to  the  UK  Supreme  Court  but  permission  was  refused.    On  June  15, 
2012,  the  OFT  referred  the  investigation  of  Ryanair‘s  minority  stake  in  Aer  Lingus  to  the  UK  Competition 
Commission  

On June 19, 2012, Ryanair announced its third all cash offer to acquire all of the ordinary shares of Aer 
Lingus  it  did  not  own  at  a  price  of  €1.30  per  ordinary  share  and  immediately  commenced  pre-notification 
discussions with the European Commission for the purpose of preparing a merger filing.  Pending the outcome 
of  the  European  Commission‘s  review  of  Ryanair‘s  bid,  on  the  basis  of  the  duty  of  ―sincere  cooperation‖ 
between  the  EU  and  the  Member  States,  and  under  the  EU  Merger  Regulation,  the  UK  Competition 
Commission‘s  investigation  of  Ryanair‘s  minority  stake  in  Aer  Lingus  should  not  have  properly  proceeded.  
Nevertheless, Aer Lingus argued that the investigation should proceed and that Ryanair‘s offer was in breach of 
certain provisions of the UK Enterprise Act 2002.   

On July 10, 2012, the Competition Commission ruled that Ryanair‘s bid was not in breach of the UK 
Enterprise  Act,  but  nevertheless  decided  that  its  investigation  of  the  minority  stake  could  proceed  in  parallel 
with  the  European  Commission‘s  investigation  of  Ryanair‘s  offer  for  Aer  Lingus.    In  July  2012,  Ryanair 
appealed the latter part of the Competition Commission‘s ruling to the UK Competition Appeal  Tribunal, and 
the  Competition  Commission‘s  investigation  became  suspended  pending  the  appeal  process.    On  August  8, 
2012, the Competition Appeal Tribunal rejected Ryanair‘s appeal and found that the Competition Commission‘s 
investigation could proceed in parallel with the European Commission‘s investigation, but that the Competition 
Commission  must  avoid  taking  any  final  decision  which  could  conflict  with  the  European  Commission‘s 
ultimate  conclusion  on  Ryanair‘s  bid.    In  August  2012,  Ryanair  appealed  the  Competition  Appeal  Tribunal 
judgment to the UK Court of Appeal.   In December 2012, the Court of Appeal rejected Ryanair‘s appeal and 
subsequently  the  Competition  Commission‘s  investigation  has  restarted.    On  December  13,  2012,  Ryanair 
applied to the UK Supreme Court for permission to appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeal.  The Supreme 
Court refused permission to appeal on April 25, 2013.  

On February 27, 2013 the European Commission prohibited Ryanair‘s bid to acquire the entire share 
capital of Aer Lingus on the claimed basis that it would be incompatible with the EU internal market.  Ryanair 
appealed  this  decision  to  the  EU  General  Court  on  May  8,  2013.  The  judgment  of  the  EU  General  Court  is 
expected in 2015 and may affirm or annul the decision of the European Commission.  

The timing of Ryanair‘s 2012 offer for Aer Lingus was influenced by; (i) the continued consolidation 
of  European  airlines,  and  more  recently  the  International  Airlines  Group  (the  parent  company  of  British 
Airways) takeover of British Midland International, where the No.1 airline at Heathrow was allowed to acquire 
the No. 2; (ii) the additional capacity available at Dublin airport following the opening of Terminal 2 and the 
decline in traffic from 23.3 million passengers per annum in 2007 to 18.7 million in 2011, resulting in Dublin 
airport operating at approximately 50% capacity; (iii) the change in the Irish government policy since 2006 in 
that the Irish government indicated that it had decided to sell its stake in Aer Lingus; (iv) the fact that under the 
terms of the bailout agreement provided by the European Commission, European Central bank and International 
Monetary Fund to Ireland, the Irish government committed to sell its stake in Aer Lingus; (v) the fact that the 
ESOT (Employee Share Ownership Trust), which at the time of the unsuccessful 2006 offer controlled 15% of 
Aer  Lingus,  had  been  disbanded  since  December  2010  and  the  shares  distributed  to  the  individual  members, 

118 

 
with the result that Ryanair‘s new offer was, in Ryanair‘s view, capable of reaching over 50% acceptance either 
with or without government acceptance; and (vi) the fact that Etihad, an Abu Dhabi based airline, had acquired a 
3% stake in Aer Lingus and had expressed an interest in buying the Irish government‘s 25% stake in Aer Lingus 
(the  offer  now  provides  Etihad  or  any  other  potential  bidder  the  opportunity  to  purchase  the  government‘s 
stake). 

Ryanair offered to keep Aer Lingus as a separate company, maintain the Aer Lingus brand, and to grow 
its traffic from 9.5 million to over 14.5 million passengers over a five year period post acquisition, by growing 
Aer  Lingus‘  short  haul  traffic  at  some  of  Europe‘s  major  airports  where  Aer  Lingus  currently  operates  and 
Ryanair  does  not.  Ryanair  also  intended  to  increase  Aer  Lingus‘  transatlantic  traffic  from  Ireland,  which  has 
fallen  in  recent  years,  by  investing  in  operations.  If  the  offer  had  been  accepted,  the  Irish  government  would 
have received €173 million in cash. The offer of €1.30 per share represented a premium of approximately 38% 
over  the  closing  price  of  €0.94  for  Aer  Lingus  shares  as  of  June  19,  2012.  The  offer  was  conditional  on 
competition approval by the European Commission.   

Following the European Commission‘s decision to prohibit its offer for Aer Lingus, Ryanair actively 
engaged with the Competition Commission‘s investigation of the minority stake.  On August 28, 2013, the UK 
Competition Commission (UKCC) issued its final decision in which it stated that Ryanair‘s shareholding ―gave 
it  the  ability  to  exercise  material  influence  over  Aer  Lingus‖  and  ―had  led  or  may  be  expected  to  lead  to  a 
substantial  lessening  of  competition  in  the  markets  for  air  passenger  services  between  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland.‖    As  a  result  of  its  findings,  the  UKCC  ordered  Ryanair  to  reduce  its  shareholding  in  Aer  Lingus  to 
below  5  per  cent  of  Aer  Lingus‘  issued  ordinary  shares.    Ryanair  appealed  the  UKCC‘s  final  decision  to  the 
CAT on September 23, 2013.  The CAT rejected Ryanair‘s appeal on March 7, 2014.   On April 23, 2014, the 
CAT granted Ryanair permission to appeal the CAT‘s judgment to the Court of Appeal. Should this appeal, or 
any subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court, be unsuccessful, Ryanair could suffer losses due to the negative 
impact on market prices of the forced sale of such a significant portion of Aer Lingus‘ shares.  Ryanair believes 
that the enforcement of any such decision should be delayed until the outcome of Ryanair‘s appeal against the 
European  Commission‘s  February  2013  prohibition  decision  of  Ryanair‘s  2012  offer  for  Aer  Lingus,  and  the 
conclusion  of  any  appeals  against  the  UKCC‘s  decision  in  the  UK  courts.    However,  it  is  possible  that  the 
UKCC will seek to enforce any such sell-down remedy at an earlier date.  

Legal  Actions  Against  Monopoly  Airports.  Ryanair  has  been  involved  in  a  number  of  legal  and 
regulatory actions against the Dublin and London (Stansted) airports in relation to what Ryanair considers to be 
ongoing abuses of their dominant positions in the Dublin and London (Stansted) markets. Management believes 
that  both  of  these  airports  have  been  engaging  in  ―regulatory  gaming‖  in  order  to  achieve  inflated  airport 
charges under the regulatory processes in the U.K. and Ireland. By inflating its so-called ―regulated asset base‖ 
(essentially the value of its airport facilities), a regulated airport can achieve higher returns on its assets through 
inflated airport charges. With respect to London (Stansted), the OFT, following complaints  from  Ryanair and 
other airlines, has recognized that the regulatory process is flawed and provides perverse incentives to regulated 
airports to spend excessively on infrastructure in order to inflate their airport charges. The OFT referred the case 
to the Competition Commission which released its preliminary findings in April 2008. It found that the common 
ownership  by  BAA  of  the  three  main  airports  in  London  affects  competition  and  that  the  ―light  touch‖ 
regulation by the Civil  Aviation Authority  was having an adverse impact on competition. In March 2009, the 
Competition Commission published its final report on the  BAA and ordered the breakup of  the  BAA, (which 
involved  the  sale  of  London  (Gatwick)  and  London  (Stansted)  and  either  Glasgow  or  Edinburgh  Airport  in 
Scotland).  In  October  2009,  London  (Gatwick)  was  sold  to  Global  Infrastructure  Partners  for  £1.5  billion.  In 
May  2009,  BAA  appealed  the  Competition  Commission‘s  decision  on  the  bases  of  apparent  bias  and  lack  of 
proportionality. Ryanair secured the right to intervene in this appeal in support of the Competition Commission. 
The  case  was  heard  in  October  2009  and  in  February  2010  the  Competition  Appeal  Tribunal  quashed  the 
Competition  Commission‘s  ruling  on  the  basis  of  the  ―apparent  bias‖  claim.  This  decision  was  successfully 
appealed by both the Competition Commission and Ryanair before the Court of Appeal. The appeal was heard 
in June 2010 and the judgment was issued in October 2010, quashing the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruling 
and  reinstating  the  Competition  Commission  March  2009  decision.  In  February  2011,  the  Supreme  Court 
refused to grant the BAA permission to appeal the Court of Appeal ruling. The Competition Commission has 
subsequently reconsidered the appropriateness of the remedies imposed on the BAA in March 2009 in light of 
the passage of time, and confirmed in its preliminary report in April 2011 that the remedies are still appropriate 
and  the  sale  of  Stansted  and  one  of  either  Glasgow  or  Edinburgh  airports  should  proceed.  In  July  2011,  the 
Competition  Commission  confirmed  its  March  2011  provisional  decision  on  ―possible  material  changes  of 
circumstances.‖  It  found  that  no  material  changes  of  circumstances  (that  would  necessitate  a  change  in  the 

119 

 
remedies package)  had occurred since the  March 2009 decision requiring the BAA to sell  London (Gatwick), 
London  (Stansted)  and  one  of  either  Glasgow  or  Edinburgh  airports,  and  that  consequently  the  BAA  should 
proceed to dispose of London (Stansted) and one of the Scottish airports. The BAA appealed this decision to the 
Competition  Appeal  Tribunal,  and  lost  on  February  1,  2012.  The  BAA  then  brought  a  further  appeal  to  the 
Court of Appeal, which they also lost on July 26, 2012. While these appeals were ongoing, the BAA proceeded 
to sell Edinburgh airport in April 2012. BAA did not appeal the Court of Appeal judgment to the UK Supreme 
Court,  and  proceeded  to  complete  the  sale  of  London  (Stansted)  airport  to  Manchester  Airports  Group  plc  in 
March 2013.  

With respect to Dublin airport, Ryanair appealed the December 2009 decision of the CAR, which set 
maximum  charges  at  the  airport  for  2010  through  2014,  to  the  Appeals  Panel  set  up  by  the  Minister  for 
Transport.  In  June  2010,  the  Appeals  Panel  found  in  favor  of  Ryanair  on  the  matter  of  differential  pricing 
between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, recommending that such differential pricing be imposed by the CAR.  The 
CAR  subsequently  overruled  the  decision  of  the  Appeals  Panel  and  allowed  the  charges  increase  at  Dublin 
Airport, with no differential pricing between Terminals 1 and 2. 

Ryanair  has  also  been  trying  to  prevent  both  the  BAA  in  London  and  the  DAA  in  Dublin  from 
engaging in  wasteful capital  expenditure. In the case of  London (Stansted) Airport,  the BAA  was planning to 
spend £4 billion on a second runway and terminal, which Ryanair believes should only cost approximately £1 
billion.  Following  the  final  decision  of  the  Competition  Commission  forcing  BAA  to  sell  London  (Stansted) 
airport,  Ryanair believed that it  was  highly  unlikely that BAA‘s planned  £4 billion plans  would proceed.  The 
Liberal/Conservative  government  in  the  U.K.  had  also  outlined  that  it  would  not  approve  the  building  of  any 
more runways in the Southeast of England. Consequently, in May 2010, the BAA announced that it would not 
pursue its plans to develop a second runway at London (Stansted). 

In the case of Dublin, the DAA has built a second terminal, costing over four times its initial estimate. 
When the DAA first announced plans to build a second terminal (―Terminal 2‖) at Dublin Airport, it estimated 
that  the  proposed  expansion  would  cost  between  €170  million  and  €200  million.  Ryanair  supported  a 
development of this scale; however, in September 2006, the DAA announced that the construction of Terminal 2 
would cost approximately €800 million. Subsequently, the cost of the new infrastructure rose in excess of €1.2 
billion. Ryanair opposed expansion at what it believed to be an excessive cost. On August 29, 2007, however 
the relevant planning authority approved the planning application from the DAA for the building of Terminal 2, 
and other facilities, all of which went ahead. On May 1, 2010, the airport fees per departing passenger increased 
by 27% from €13.61 to €17.23, and by a further 12% in 2011 following the opening of Terminal 2 in November 
2010 in accordance with the CAR‘s decision of December 4, 2009 in relation to airport charges between 2010 
and  2014.  Ryanair  sought  a  judicial  review  of  the  planning  approval,  however,  this  appeal  was  unsuccessful. 
The increase in charges, in combination with the introduction of the €10 Air Travel Tax (subsequently reduced 
to  €3  in  March  2011  and  eliminated  entirely  in  April  2014)  mentioned  above,  led  to  substantially  reduced 
passenger  volumes  to  and  from  Dublin  Airport.    See  ―Item  3.  Risk  FactorsRisks  Related  to  the 
CompanyRyanair‘s  Continued  Growth  is  Dependent  on  Access  to  Suitable  Airports;  Charges  for  Airport 
Access  are  Subject  to  Increase‖  and  ―—The  Company  Is  Subject  to  Legal  Proceedings  Alleging  State  Aid  at 
Certain Airports,‖ as well as ―Item 4. Information on the Company—Airport Operations—Airport Charges.‖ 

Legal  Proceedings  Against  Internet  Ticket  Touts.  The  Company  is  involved  in  a  number  of  legal 
proceedings against internet ticket touts (screenscraper websites) in Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, France, 
Spain, Italy and Switzerland. Screenscraper websites gain unauthorized access to Ryanair‘s website and booking 
system, extract flight and pricing information and display it on their own websites for sale to customers at prices 
which include intermediary fees on top of Ryanair‘s fares. Ryanair does not allow any such commercial use of 
its  website  and  objects  to  the  practice  of  screenscraping  also  on  the  basis  of  certain  legal  principles,  such  as 
database  rights,  copyright  protection,  etc.  The  Company‘s  objective  is  to  prevent  any  unauthorized  use  of  its 
website.  The  Company  also  believes  that  the  selling  of  airline  tickets  by  screenscraper  websites  is  inherently 
anti-consumer  as  it  inflates  the  cost  of  air  travel.  At  the  same  time,  Ryanair  encourages  genuine  price 
comparison websites which allow consumers to compare prices of several airlines and then refer consumers to 
the airline website in order to perform the booking at the original fare. Ryanair offers licensed access to its flight 
and pricing information to such websites. Ryanair also permits Travelport, a GDS operator, to provide access to 
Ryanair‘s fares to traditional bricks and mortar travel agencies. The Company has received favorable rulings in 
Ireland, Germany and The Netherlands, and unfavorable rulings in Spain, France and Italy. However, pending 
the outcome of these legal proceedings and if Ryanair were to be ultimately unsuccessful in them, the activities 
of screenscraper websites could lead to a reduction in the number of customers who book directly on Ryanair‘s 

120 

 
website and loss of ancillary revenues which are an important source of profitability through the sale of car hire, 
hotels and travel insurance etc. Also, some customers may be lost to the Company once they are presented by a 
screenscraper  website  with  a  Ryanair  fare  inflated  by  the  screenscraper‘s  intermediary  fee.  See  Item  3.  Key 
Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company—Ryanair Faces Risks Related to Unauthorized Use 
of Information from the Company‘s Website.‖ 

Dividend Policy 

Following shareholder approval at the September 2010 annual general meeting of shareholders, a €500 
million special dividend was paid in October 2010.  Similarly, following shareholder approval at the September 
2012  annual  general  meeting  of  shareholders,  a  dividend  of  €0.34  per  Ordinary  Share  (approximately  €492 
million) was paid in November 2012.  The Company may pay other dividends from time to time. On June 20, 
2013  the  Company  detailed  plans  to  return  up  to  €1  billion  to  shareholders  over  the  next  two  years.  The 
Company completed €481.7 million in share buybacks in fiscal year 2014 and indicated on May 19, 2014 that it 
plans to pay a  special dividend of  up to approximately  €520 million in  the  fourth quarter of fiscal  year 2015, 
subject to shareholder approval at its annual general meeting on September 25, 2014. The Company has made 
no  further  commitments  in  relation  to  the  payment  of  dividends,  share  buybacks  or  other  shareholder 
distributions.  Any  cash  dividends  or  other  distributions,  if  made,  are  expected  to  be  made  in  euro,  although 
Ryanair  Holdings‘  Articles  provide  that  dividends  may  be  declared  and  paid  in  U.S.  dollars.  In  the  case  of 
ADRs, the Depositary will convert all cash dividends and other distributions payable to owners of ADRs into 
U.S. dollars to the extent that, in its judgment, it can do so on a reasonable basis, and will distribute the resulting 
U.S. dollar amounts (net of conversion expenses and any applicable fees) to the owners of ADRs. See ―Item 12. 
Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities‖ for information regarding fees of the Depositary. 

Share Buy-back Program 

Following  shareholder  approval  at  the  2006  annual  general  meeting  of  shareholders,  a  €300  million 
share  buy-back  program  was  formally  announced  on  June  5,  2007.  Permission  was  received  at  the  annual 
general  meeting  of  the  shareholders  held  on  September  20,  2007  to  repurchase  a  maximum  of  75.6  million 
Ordinary Shares representing 5% of the Company‘s then outstanding share capital. The €300 million share buy-
back of approximately 59.5 million  Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 3.8% of the Company‘s pre-
existing share capital, was completed in November 2007. In February 2008, the Company announced a second 
share buy-back program of up to €200 million worth of Ordinary Shares, which was ratified by shareholders at 
the annual general meeting of the shareholders held on September 18, 2008. 18.1 million Ordinary Shares were 
repurchased under this program at a cost of approximately €46.0 million. The Company also completed share 
buy-backs  of  €125  million  in  respect  of  36.5  million  Ordinary  Shares  in  the  2012  fiscal  year  and  15  million 
Ordinary Shares at a cost of approximately €68 million in the 2013 fiscal year. In fiscal year 2014, 69.5 million 
Ordinary  Shares  (including  just  over  6.0  million  ADRs)  were  repurchased  at  a  cost  of  approximately  €481.7 
million. As a result, the total amount spent on the share buy-back programs to date was approximately €1,019.8 
million with respect to the repurchase of 198.6 million Ordinary Shares. All Ordinary Shares (including ADRs 
which represent five Ordinary Shares) repurchased have been cancelled. 

In  April  2012,  the  Company  held  an  extraordinary  general  meeting  to  authorize  the  Directors  to 
repurchase Ordinary Shares and ADRs for up to 5% of  the issued share capital of the Company traded on the 
NASDAQ. Up until April 2012, shareholders had only authorized the Directors to repurchase Ordinary Shares. 
As  the  ADRs  typically  trade  at  a  premium  of  up  to  20%  compared  to  Ordinary  Shares,  this  may  result  in 
increased costs in performing share buy-backs in the future.  This authority was renewed at the Annual General 
Meeting held on September 20, 2013.  The Company completed €481.7 million in share buybacks in fiscal year 
2014 and indicated on May 19, 2014 that it plans to pay a special dividend of up to €520 million in Quarter 4, 
fiscal  year  2015,  subject  to  shareholder  approval  at  its  annual  general  meeting  on  September  25,  2014.  The 
Company  has  made no further commitments in relation to the payment of dividends, share buybacks or other 
shareholder distributions. 

See ―Item 9. The Offer and Listing - Trading Markets and Share Prices‖ below for further information 

regarding share buy-backs. 

121 

 
 
 
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES  

On  April  30,  2014,  the  Company  agreed  to  purchase  an  additional  5  Boeing  737-800NG  aircraft  for 
delivery in  fiscal 2016, bringing the  total number of aircraft to be purchased from Boeing to 180 for delivery 
between fiscal years 2015 and 2019. 

In addition, in June 2014 Ryanair issued €850.0 million in unsecured eurobonds with a 7 year tenor at a 
coupon of 1.875%, which are  guaranteed by Ryanair Holdings. See  ―Item 5. Operation  and Financial  Review 
and Prospects ‒ Liquidity and Capital Resources ‒ Capital Resources‖ for additional information. 

Item 9. The Offer and Listing 

TRADING MARKETS AND SHARE PRICES 

The primary market for Ryanair Holdings‘ Ordinary Shares is the Irish Stock Exchange  plc (the ―Irish 
Stock Exchange‖); Ordinary Shares are also traded on the London Stock Exchange. The Ordinary Shares were 
first listed for trading on the Official List of the Irish Stock Exchange on June 5, 1997 and were first admitted to 
the Official List of the London Stock Exchange on July 16, 1998. 

ADRs,  each  representing  five  Ordinary  Shares,  are  traded  on  NASDAQ.  The  Bank  of  New  York 
Mellon  is  Ryanair  Holdings‘  depositary  for  purposes  of  issuing  ADRs  evidencing  the  ADSs.  The  following 
tables  set  forth,  for  the  periods  indicated,  the  reported  high  and  low  closing  sales  prices  of  the  ADRs  on 
NASDAQ and for the Ordinary Shares on the Irish Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, and have 
been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one split of the Ordinary Shares and ADRs effected on February 26, 2007: 

*All quarterly high and low prices for ADRs and Ordinary Shares in the following tables refer to calendar year quarters and not fiscal year 
quarters 

ADRs 
(in U.S. dollars) 

High 

35.482 
29.586 
33.090 
31.990  

36.280 
36.890 
32.740  
36.140  

43.23  
51.53  
54.05  
51.33  

50.930  
56.950 
58.810  
60.110  
57.100  
58.230 
56.11 

Low 

15.089 
20.779 
21.268 
24.200  

27.770 
29.330 
27.890  
31.900  

34.62  
41.36 
44.51  
43.51  

46.990  
48.120  
55.100  
52.940  
50.980  
53.390 
51.85 

2008 ...................................................................................................  
2009 ...................................................................................................  
2010 ...................................................................................................  
2011 ...................................................................................................  
2012 

First Quarter ...................................................................................  
Second Quarter ..............................................................................  
Third Quarter .................................................................................  
Fourth Quarter ...............................................................................  

2013 

First Quarter ...................................................................................  
Second Quarter ..............................................................................  
Third Quarter .................................................................................  
Fourth Quarter ...............................................................................  

2014 

January 31, 2014 ............................................................................  
February 28, 2014 ..........................................................................  
March 31, 2014 ..............................................................................  
April 30, 2014 ................................................................................  
May 31, 2014 .................................................................................  
June 30, 2014 .................................................................................  
Period ending July 18, 2014 ..............................................................  

122 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary Shares 
(Irish Stock Exchange) 
(in euro) 

High 

4.20 
3.45  
4.19 
3.98 

4.48 
4.49 
4.48  
5.00  

6.16  
7.20  
7.47  
6.45  

6.88  
7.44  
7.70  
7.75  
7.32  
7.61 
7.19 

Low 

1.80 
2.51  
2.77 
3.13 

3.68 
3.83 
3.86  
4.43  

4.76  
5.70  
6.00  
5.33  

6.30  
6.73  
7.09  
6.83  
6.35  
6.81 
6.64 

Ordinary Shares 
(London Stock Exchange) 
(in euro) 

High 

4.20 
3.45 
4.19 
3.97 

4.48 
4.49 
4.47  
5.00  

6.20  
7.18  
7.48  
6.45  

6.86  
7.43  
7.72  
7.75  
7.31  
7.61 
7.20 

Low 

1.81 
2.50 
2.76 
3.13 

3.68 
3.84 
3.88  
4.40  

4.76  
5.80  
5.84  
5.45  

6.31  
6.74  
7.08  
6.83  
6.35  
6.79 
6.65 

2008 ...................................................................................................  
2009 ...................................................................................................  
2010 ...................................................................................................  
2011 ...................................................................................................  
2012 

First Quarter ...................................................................................  
Second Quarter ..............................................................................  
Third Quarter .................................................................................  
Fourth Quarter ...............................................................................  

2013 

First Quarter ...................................................................................  
Second Quarter ..............................................................................  
Third Quarter .................................................................................  
Fourth Quarter ...............................................................................  

2014 
Month ending: 

January 31, 2014 ............................................................................  
February 28, 2014 ..........................................................................  
March 31, 2014 ..............................................................................  
April 30, 2014 ................................................................................  
May 31, 2014 .................................................................................  
June 30, 2014 .................................................................................  
Period ending July 18, 2014 ..............................................................  

2008 ...................................................................................................  
2009 ...................................................................................................  
2010 ...................................................................................................  
2011 ...................................................................................................  
2012 

First Quarter ...................................................................................  
Second Quarter ..............................................................................  
Third Quarter .................................................................................  
Fourth Quarter ...............................................................................  

2013 

First Quarter ...................................................................................  
Second Quarter ..............................................................................  
Third Quarter .................................................................................  
Fourth Quarter ...............................................................................  

Month ending: 

January 31, 2014 ............................................................................  
February 28, 2014 ..........................................................................  
March 31, 2014 ..............................................................................  
April 30, 2014 ................................................................................  
May 31, 2014 .................................................................................  
June 30, 2014 .................................................................................  
Period ending July 18, 2014 ..............................................................  

123 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Since certain of the Ordinary Shares are held by brokers or other nominees, the number of direct record 
holders  in  the  United  States,  which  is  reported  as  55,  may  not  be  fully  indicative  of  the  number  of  direct 
beneficial owners in the United States, or of where the direct beneficial owners of such shares are resident. 

In order to increase the percentage of its share capital held by EU nationals, beginning June 26, 2001, 
Ryanair Holdings instructed the Depositary to suspend the issuance of new ADRs in exchange for the deposit of 
Ordinary  Shares  until  further  notice.  Therefore,  holders  of  Ordinary  Shares  cannot  currently  convert  their 
Ordinary Shares into  ADRs.  The  Depositary  will  however convert existing  ADRs into Ordinary Shares at the 
request  of  the  holders  of  such  ADRs.  The  Company  in  2002  implemented  additional  measures  to  restrict  the 
ability of non-EU nationals to purchase Ordinary Shares. As a result, non-EU nationals are currently effectively 
barred  from  purchasing  Ordinary  Shares.  See  ―Item  10.  Additional  Information—Limitations  on  Share 
Ownership by Non-EU Nationals‖ for additional information. 

The Company, at its annual general meeting of the Shareholders, has, in recent years, passed a special 
resolution  permitting  the  Company  to  engage  in  Ordinary  Share  buy-back  programs  subject  to  certain  limits 
noted below. Since June 2007 (when the  Company engaged in its first Ordinary Share buy-back program) the 
Company has repurchased the following Ordinary Shares: 

Year ended March 31,  

No. of shares („m) 

Approx. cost (€‟m) 

2008 ..........................................................................  
2009 ..........................................................................  
2010 ..........................................................................  
2011 ..........................................................................  
2012 ..........................................................................  
2013 ..........................................................................  
2014 ..........................................................................  
Period through July 18, 2014 ....................................  

Total ..........................................................................  

All Ordinary Shares repurchased have been cancelled. 

59.5 
18.1 
- 
- 
36.5 
15.0 
69.5 
- 

198.6 

300.0 
46.0 
- 
- 
124.6 
67.5 
481.7 
- 

1,019.8 

The maximum price  at which the Company  may repurchase  Ordinary Shares, in accordance  with the 
listing rules of the Irish Stock Exchange and of the Financial Services Authority, is the higher of 5% above the 
average  market  value  of  the  Company‘s  Ordinary  Shares  for  the  five  business  days  prior  to  the  day  of  the 
repurchase and the price stipulated by Article 5(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) of December 22, 2003 (No. 
2273/2003)  (which  is  the  higher  of  the  last  independent  trade  and  the  highest  current  independent  bid  on  the 
Irish  Stock  Exchange).  The  minimum  price  at  which  the  Company  may  repurchase  Ordinary  Shares  is  their 
nominal value, currently 0.635 euro cent per share. 

At an extraordinary general meeting of Shareholders held on April 19, 2012, the Company obtained a 
new repurchase authority which enables the Company to repurchase the Company‘s ADRs which are traded on 
NASDAQ.  The  maximum  price  at  which  Ordinary  Shares  which  underlie  the  Company‘s  ADRs  can  be 
repurchased  is  5%  above  one-fifth  of  the  average  market  value  of  the  Company‘s  ADRs  as  quoted  on 
NASDAQ,  for  the  five  business  days  prior  to  the  date  of  purchase  (as  one  ADS  represents  five  Ordinary 
Shares). Any ADRs purchased will be converted to Ordinary Shares by the Company‘s brokers for subsequent 
repurchase  and cancellation by the Company. During  fiscal 2014, the Company repurchased  6,018,800 ADRs 
equivalent to 30,094,000 ordinary shares at a price  per ADR of $49.01 equivalent to approximately €7.41 per 
ordinary share. 

As  of  June  30,  2014,  the  total  number  of  options  over  Ordinary  Shares  outstanding  under  all  of  the 
Company‘s share option plans was 4,814,391, representing 0.3% of the Company‘s issued share capital at that 
date. 

124 

 
 
 
 
 
Item 10. Additional Information 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 

Ryanair  Holdings‘  capital  stock  consists  of  Ordinary  Shares,  each  having  a  par  value  of  0.635  euro 
cent. As of March 31, 2014, a total of 1,383,237,668 Ordinary Shares were outstanding. On February 26, 2007, 
Ryanair effected a 2-for-1 share split as a result of  which each of its then existing Ordinary Shares, par value 
1.27 euro cent, was split into two new Ordinary Shares, par value 0.635 euro cent. Each Ordinary Share entitles 
the holder thereof to one vote in respect of any matter voted upon by Ryanair Holdings‘ shareholders. 

OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SECURITIES FROM REGISTRANT OR SUBSIDIARIES 

Ryanair  Holdings‘  shareholders  approved  a  stock  option  plan  (referred  to  herein  as  ―Option  Plan 
2000‖),  under  which  all  employees  and  directors  are  eligible  to  receive  options.  Grants  of  options  were 
permitted  to  take  place  at  the  close  of  any  of  the  ten  years  beginning  with  fiscal  year  2000  only  if  the 
Company‘s net profit after tax for such fiscal year had exceeded its net profit after tax for the prior fiscal year by 
at  least  25%,  or  if  an  increase  of  1%  in  net  profit  after  tax  for  the  relevant  year  would  have  resulted  in  such 
requirement being met. 

Ryanair  Holdings‘  shareholders  approved  a  stock  option  plan  (referred  to  herein  as  ―Option  Plan 
2003‖)  established  in  accordance  with  a  then  tax-favorable  share  option  scheme  available  under  Irish  law,  so 
that  employees  would  not  be  subject  to  income  tax  on  the  exercise  of  options  (subject  to  certain  conditions). 
Option Plan 2003 was approved by the Revenue Commissioners on July 4, 2003 for the purposes of Chapter 4, 
Part 17, of the Irish Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 and Schedule 12C of that  Act. Following the publication of 
the  Irish  National  Recovery  Plan:  2011-2014  (the  ―NRP‖)  on  November  24,  2010,  Revenue  approved  share 
option  plans,  such  as  Option  Plan  2003,  no  longer  qualified  for  favorable  tax  treatment  from  that  date.  All 
employees and full-time directors were eligible to participate in the plan, under which grants of options could be 
made at the close of any of the ten years beginning with fiscal year 2002 only if the Company‘s net profit after 
tax  for  such  fiscal  year  had  exceeded  its  net  profit  after  tax  for  the  prior  fiscal  year  by  at  least  25%,  or  if  an 
increase of 1% in net profit after tax for the relevant year would have resulted in such requirement being met. 

Under Option Plan 2000, 20 senior managers (including seven of the current executive officers) were 
granted 10,500,000 share options, in the aggregate, at a strike price of €3.21 in July 2005. Not all of the vesting 
conditions  were  met,  and  as  a  result  only  80%  of  the  options  granted  that  satisfied  the  conditions  were 
exercisable between August 1, 2011 and August 31, 2013.  The Company recognized a credit of €2.5 million in 
relation to the options that did not vest in June 2011. Also, under Option Plan 2000, each of the non-executive 
directors were granted 25,000 share options, at a strike price of €4.96, during the 2008 fiscal year. These options 
are exercisable between June 2012 and June 2014. In addition, 39 senior managers (including five of the current 
executive officers) were granted 10,000,000 share options, in the aggregate, under Option Plan 2000, at a strike 
price  of  €2.56,  on  September  18,  2008.  These  options  are  exercisable  between  September  18,  2013  and 
September 17, 2015, but only for managers who continued to be employed by the Company through September 
18, 2013. 

During  fiscal  year  2014,  Ryanair  Holdings‘  shareholders  approved  a  stock  option  plan  at  the 
Company‘s annual general  meeting on  September 20, 2013 (referred to herein as  ―Option Plan 2013‖), under 
which all employees and directors are eligible to receive options. Grants of options were permitted to take place 
at the close of any of the ten years beginning with fiscal year 2014. All options will be subject to a  five year 
performance  period  beginning  with  the  year  in  which  a  grant  occurs.  The  Remuneration  Committee  has 
discretion  to  determine  the  financial  performance  targets  that  must  be  met  with  respect  to  the  financial  year. 
Those  targets  will  relate  directly  to  the  achievement  of  certain  year-on-year  growth  targets  in  the  Company‘s 
profit  after  tax  figures  for  each  of  the  financial  years  of  the  performance  period  and/or  certain  share  price 
targets. The Option Plan 2013 will replace two stock options plans previously approved by shareholders (Option 
Plan  2000  and  Option  Plan  2003)  for  all  future  grants,  as  both  of  these  plans  have  expired,  although  any 
subsisting options granted under Option Plan 2000 or Option Plan 2003 that have not yet lapsed will continue to 
be governed by all terms of those plans, as applicable. 

125 

 
 
The aggregate of 4,814,391 Ordinary Shares that would be issuable upon exercise in full of the options 
that  were outstanding as of  June  30, 2014 under Company‘s option plan represent approximately  0.3% of  the 
issued  share  capital  of  Ryanair  Holdings  as  of  such  date.  Of  such  total,  options  in  respect  of  an  aggregate  of 
1,397,500 Ordinary Shares were held by the directors and executive officers of Ryanair Holdings. For further 
information, see notes 15 and 19 to the consolidated financial statements included herein. 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION 

The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Articles of Association of Ryanair Holdings. 
This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of 
the Articles, which are included as an exhibit to this annual report. 

Objects. Ryanair Holdings‘ objects, which are detailed in its Articles, are broad and include carrying on 
business  as  an  investment  and  holding  company.  Ryanair  Holdings‘  Irish  company  registration  number  is 
249885.  

Directors.  Subject  to  certain  exceptions,  directors  may  not  vote  on  matters  in  which  they  have  a 
material  interest.  The  ordinary  remuneration  of  the  directors  is  determined  from  time  to  time  by  ordinary 
resolutions  of  the  shareholders.  Any  director  who  holds  any  executive  office,  serves  on  any  committee  or 
otherwise performs services, which, in the opinion of the directors, are outside the scope of the ordinary duties 
of a director, may be paid such extra remuneration as the directors may determine. The directors may exercise 
all the powers of the Company to borrow money. These powers may be amended by special resolution of the 
shareholders. The directors are not required to retire at any particular age. There is no requirement for directors 
to hold shares. The Articles of Association provide that one-third of the directors retire and offer themselves for 
re-election  at  each  annual  general  meeting  of  the  Company.  The  directors  to  retire  by  rotation  are  those  who 
have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment. As between persons who became or 
were  appointed  directors  on  the  same  date,  those  to  retire  are  determined  by  agreement  between  them  or, 
otherwise,  by  lot.  All  of  the  shareholders  entitled  to  attend  and  vote  at  the  annual  general  meeting  of  the 
Company may vote on the re-election of directors.  

Annual and General Meetings.  Annual and extraordinary  meetings are called upon 21 days‘ advance 
notice.  At  Ryanair‘s  annual  general  meeting,  held  on  September  22,  2010,  the  Company‘s  Articles  of 
Association  were  amended  by  special  resolution  to  reflect  the  implementation  of  the  Shareholders‘  Rights 
(Directive 2007/36/EC) Regulations 2009 to allow all Ryanair shareholders to appoint proxies electronically to 
attend, speak, ask questions and vote on behalf of them at annual general meetings and to reflect certain other 
provisions  of  those  Regulations.  All  holders  of  Ordinary  Shares  are  entitled  to  attend,  speak  at  and  vote  at 
general meetings of the Company, subject to limitations described below under ―—Limitations on the Right to 
Own Shares.‖ 

Rights,  Preferences  and  Dividends  Attaching  to  Shares.  The  Company  has  only  one  class  of  shares, 
Ordinary  Shares  with  a  par  value  of  0.635  euro  cent  per  share.  All  such  shares  rank  equally  with  respect  to 
payment of dividends and on any winding-up of the Company. Any dividend, interest or other sum payable to a 
shareholder that remains unclaimed for one year after having been declared may be invested by the directors for 
the  benefit  of  the  Company  until  claimed.  If  the  directors  so  resolve,  any  dividend  which  has  remained 
unclaimed  for  12  years  from  the  date  of  its  declaration  shall  be  forfeited  and  cease  to  remain  owing  by  the 
Company. The Company is permitted under its Articles to issue redeemable shares on such terms and in such 
manner as the Company may, by special resolution, determine. The Ordinary Shares currently in issue are not 
redeemable. The liability of shareholders to invest additional capital is limited to the amounts remaining unpaid 
on the shares held by them. There are no sinking fund provisions in the Articles of the Company. 

Action Necessary to Change the Rights of Shareholders. The rights attaching to shares in the Company 

may be varied by special resolutions passed at meetings of the shareholders of the Company. 

126 

 
 
 
Limitations  on  the  Rights  to  Own  Shares.  The  Articles  contain  detailed  provisions  enabling  the 
directors  of  the  Company  to  limit  the  number  of  shares  in  which  non-EU  nationals  have  an  interest  or  the 
exercise by non-EU nationals of rights attaching to shares. See ―—Limitations on Share Ownership by Non-EU 
Nationals‖  below.  Such  powers  may  be  exercised  by  the  directors  if  they  are  of  the  view  that  any  license, 
consent,  permit or privilege of the  Company or any of its subsidiaries that enables it to operate  an air service 
may be refused, withheld, suspended or revoked or have conditions attached to it that inhibit its exercise and the 
exercise of the powers referred to above could prevent such an occurrence. The exercise of such powers could 
result in non-EU holders of shares being prevented from attending, speaking at or voting at general meetings of 
the Company and/or being required to dispose of shares held by them to EU nationals.  

Disclosure  of  Share  Ownership.  Under  Irish  law,  the  Company  can  require  parties  to  disclose  their 
interests in shares. The Articles of the Company entitle the directors to require parties to complete declarations 
indicating their nationality and the nature and extent of any interest which such parties hold in Ordinary Shares 
before allowing such parties to transfer such Ordinary Shares. See, also ―—Limitations on Share Ownership by 
non-EU nationals‖ below. Under Irish law, if a party acquires or disposes of Ordinary Shares so as to bring his 
interest above or below 5% of the  total  issued share capital of the  Company,  he  must  notify the Company of 
that.  The  Irish  Stock  Exchange  must  also  be  notified  of  any  acquisition  or  disposal  of  shares  that  brings  the 
shareholding of a party above or below certain specified percentages – i.e., 10%, 25%, 50% and 75%. 

Other Provisions of the Articles of Association. There are no provisions in the Articles: 

(i)  delaying  or  prohibiting  a  change  in  the  control  of  the  Company,  but  which  operate  only  with 

respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring; 

(ii)  discriminating against any existing or prospective holder of shares as a result of such shareholder 

owning a substantial number of shares; or 

(iii) governing changes in capital, 

in each case, where such provisions are more stringent than those required by law. 

MATERIAL CONTRACTS 

On  March  19,  2013,  the  Company  announced  that  it  had  entered  into  an  agreement  with  Boeing  to 
purchase 175 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft,  with a list value of over $13.8 billion, over a five year period from 
fiscal 2015 to 2019 in accordance with the terms of the contract. The contract was approved by the shareholders 
of the Company at an extraordinary general meeting on June 18, 2013. On April 30, 2014, the Company agreed 
to purchase an additional 5 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft for delivery in fiscal 2016, bringing the total number of 
aircraft to be purchased from Boeing to 180 for delivery between fiscal years 2015 and 2019, with a list value of 
approximately $14.1 billion. 

EXCHANGE CONTROLS 

Except  as  indicated  below,  there  are  no  restrictions  on  non-residents  of  Ireland  dealing  in  Irish 
securities  (including  shares  or  depositary  receipts  of  Irish  companies  such  as  the  Company).  Dividends  and 
redemption proceeds also continue to be freely transferable to non-resident holders of such securities.  

Under  the  Financial  Transfers  Act  1992  (the  ―1992  Act‖),  the  Minister  for  Finance  of  Ireland  may 
make provision for the restriction of financial transfers between Ireland and other countries. Financial transfers 
are  broadly  defined,  and  the  acquisition  or  disposal  of  the  ADRs,  which  represent  shares  issued  by  an  Irish 
incorporated  company,  the  acquisition  or  the  disposal  of  Ordinary  Shares  and  associated  payments  may  fall 
within  this  definition.  Dividends  or  payments  on  the  redemption  or  purchase  of  shares  and  payments  on  the 
liquidation of an Irish-incorporated company would fall within this definition. 

127 

 
 
 
The 1992 Act prohibits financial transfers involving the late Slobodan Milosevic and certain associated 
persons,  President  Lukashenko,  the  Belarusian  leadership  and  certain  other  officials  of  Belarus,  Burma 
(Myanmar), certain persons indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia,  certain 
persons and entities associated with the now deceased Usama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaeda network and the Taliban 
of  Afghanistan,  the  Democratic  Republic  of  Congo,  certain  persons  in  Egypt,  certain  activities,  persons  and 
entities in Eritrea, the Republic of Guinea, the Democratic People‘s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Iraq, Côte 
d‘Ivoire,  certain  activities  in  Lebanon,  certain  activities  in  Liberia  and  the  former  Liberian  President  Charles 
Taylor,  his  immediate  family  and  close  associates,  Libya,  certain  persons  in  Tunisia,  certain  activities  and 
persons  in  Zimbabwe,  certain  persons  and  activities  in  Sudan  and  South  Sudan,  Somalia,  certain  activities, 
persons  and  entities  in  Syria  and  Iran,  certain  persons,  entities  and  bodies  in  the  Republic  of  Guinea-Bissau, 
certain known terrorists and terrorist groups, and countries that harbor certain terrorist groups, without the prior 
permission of the Central Bank of Ireland. 

Any  transfer  of,  or  payment  in  respect  of,  an  ADS  involving  the  government  of  any  country  that  is 
currently the subject of United Nations sanctions, any person or body controlled by any of the foregoing, or any 
person  acting  on  behalf  of  the  foregoing,  may  be  subject  to  restrictions  pursuant  to  such  sanctions  as 
implemented into Irish law. The Company does not anticipate that Irish exchange controls or orders under the 
1992 Act or United Nations sanctions implemented into Irish law will have a material effect on its business. 

LIMITATIONS ON SHARE OWNERSHIP BY NON-EU NATIONALS 

The Board of Directors of Ryanair Holdings is given certain powers under the Articles to take action to 
ensure that the number of Ordinary Shares held in Ryanair Holdings by non-EU nationals does not reach a level 
which  could  jeopardize  the  Company‘s  entitlement  to  continue  to  hold  or  enjoy  the  benefit  of  any  license, 
permit, consent or privilege which it holds or enjoys and which enables it to carry on business as an air carrier (a 
―License‖). In particular, EU Regulation 2407/92 requires that, in order to obtain and retain an operating license, 
an EU air carrier must be majority-owned and effectively controlled by EU nationals. The regulation does not 
specify what level of share ownership will confer effective control on a holder or holders of shares. As described 
below, the directors will, from time to time, set a ―Permitted Maximum‖ on the number of Ordinary Shares that 
may  be  owned  by  non-EU  nationals  at  such  level  as  they  believe  will  comply  with  EU  law.  The  Permitted 
Maximum is currently set at 49.9%.  

Ryanair Holdings maintains a separate register (the ―Separate Register‖) of Ordinary Shares in which 
non-EU  nationals,  whether  individuals,  bodies  corporate  or  other  entities,  have  an  interest  (such  shares  are 
referred  to  as  ―Affected  Shares‖  in  the  Articles).  Interest  in  this  context  is  widely  defined  and  includes  any 
interest  held  through  ADRs  in  the  shares  underlying  the  relevant  ADRs.  The  directors  can  require  relevant 
parties to provide them  with  information to enable a determination  to be  made by the directors as to  whether 
Ordinary Shares are, or are to be treated as, Affected Shares. If such information is not available or forthcoming 
or is unsatisfactory then the directors can, at their discretion, determine that Ordinary Shares are to be treated as 
Affected Shares. Registered holders of Ordinary Shares are also obliged to notify the Company if they are aware 
that any Ordinary Share which they hold ought to be treated as an Affected Share for this purpose. With regard 
to  ADRs,  the  directors  can  treat  all  of  the  relevant  underlying  shares  as  Affected  Shares  unless  satisfactory 
evidence as to why they should not be so treated is forthcoming.  

In the event that, inter alia, (i) the refusal, withholding, suspension or revocation of any License or the 
imposition  of  any  condition  which  materially  inhibits  the  exercise  of  any  License  (an  ―Intervening  Act‖)  has 
taken  place,  (ii)  the  Company  receives  a  notice  or  direction  from  any  governmental  body  or  any  other  body 
which  regulates  the  provision  of  air  transport  services  to  the  effect  that  an  Intervening  Act  is  imminent, 
threatened or intended or (iii) an Intervening Act may occur as a consequence of the level of non-EU ownership 
of  Ordinary Shares or an Intervening Act is imminent,  threatened or intended because of the  manner of share 
ownership or control of Ryanair Holdings generally, the directors can take action pursuant to the Articles to deal 
with  the  situation.  They  can,  inter  alia,  (i)  remove  any  directors  or  change  the  chairman  of  the  Board  of 
Directors,  (ii)  identify  those  Ordinary  Shares,  ADRs  or  Affected  Shares  which  give  rise  to  the  need  to  take 
action and treat such Ordinary Shares, ADRs, or Affected Shares as Restricted Shares (see below) or (iii) set a 
―Permitted Maximum‖ on the number of Affected Shares which may subsist at any time (which may not, save 
in the circumstances referred to below, be lower than 40% of the total number of issued shares) and treat any 
Affected  Shares  (or  ADRs  representing  such  Affected  Shares)  in  excess  of  this  Permitted  Maximum  as 
Restricted Shares (see below).  

128 

 
In addition to the above, if as a consequence of a change of law or a direction, notice or requirement of 
any state, authority or person it is necessary to reduce the total number of Affected Shares below 40% or reduce 
the number of Affected Shares held by any particular stockholder or stockholders in order to overcome, prevent 
or  avoid  an  Intervening  Act,  the  directors  may  resolve  to  (i)  set  the  Permitted  Maximum  at  such  level  below 
40% as they consider necessary in order to overcome, prevent or avoid such Intervening Act, or (ii)  treat such 
number  of  Affected  Shares  (or  ADRs  representing  Affected  Shares)  held  by  any  particular  stockholder  or 
stockholders  as  they  consider  necessary  (which  could  include  all  of  such  Affected  Shares  or  ADRs)  as 
Restricted  Shares  (see  below).  The  directors  may  serve  a  Restricted  Share  Notice  in  respect  of  any  Affected 
Share, or any ADR representing any ADS, which is to be treated as a Restricted Share. Such notices can have 
the effect of depriving the recipients of the rights to attend, vote at and speak at general meetings, which they 
would  otherwise  have  as  a  consequence  of  holding  such  Ordinary  Shares  or  ADRs.  Such  notices  can  also 
require  the  recipients  to  dispose  of  the  Ordinary  Shares  or  ADRs  concerned  to  an  EU  national  (so  that  the 
relevant shares (or shares underlying the relevant ADRs) will then cease to be Affected Shares) within 21 days 
or such longer period as the  directors  may determine. The directors are also  given  the  power to transfer such 
Restricted Shares, themselves, in cases of non-compliance with the Restricted Share Notice.  

To  enable  the  directors  to  identify  Affected  Shares,  transferees  of  Ordinary  Shares  are  generally 
required to provide a declaration as to the nationality of persons having interests in those shares. Stockholders 
are  also  obliged  to  notify  Ryanair  Holdings  if  they  are  aware  that  any  shares,  which  they  hold,  ought  to  be 
treated as Affected Shares for this purpose. Purchasers or transferees of ADRs need not complete a nationality 
declaration because the directors expect to treat all of the Ordinary Shares held by the  Depositary as Affected 
Shares. ADS holders must open ADR accounts directly with the Depositary if they wish to provide to Ryanair 
Holdings nationality declarations or such other evidence as the directors may require in order to establish to the 
directors‘ satisfaction that the Ordinary Shares underlying such holder‘s ADRs are not Affected Shares. 

In deciding which Affected Shares are to be selected as Restricted Shares, the directors can take into 
account which Affected Shares have given rise to the necessity to take action. Subject to that they will, insofar 
as practicable, firstly view as Restricted Shares those Affected Shares in respect of which no declaration as to 
whether  or  not  such  shares  are  Affected  Shares  has  been  made  by  the  holder  thereof  and  where  information 
which has been requested by the directors in accordance with the Articles has not been provided within specified 
time periods and, secondly, have regard to the chronological order in which details of Affected Shares have been 
entered  in  the  Separate  Register  and,  accordingly,  treat  the  most  recently  registered  Affected  Shares  as 
Restricted  Shares  to  the  extent  necessary.  Transfers  of  Affected  Shares  to  Affiliates  (as  that  expression  is 
defined in the Articles) will not affect the chronological order of entry in the Separate Register for this purpose. 
The directors do however  have the discretion to apply another basis of selection if, in  their sole opinion, that 
would  be  more  equitable.  Where  the  directors  have  resolved  to  treat  Affected  Shares  held  by  any  particular 
stockholder or stockholders as Restricted Shares (i) because such Affected Shares have given rise to the need to 
take  such  action  or  (ii)  because  of  a  change  of  law  or  a  requirement  or  direction  of  a  regulatory  authority 
necessitating such action (see above), such powers may be exercised irrespective of the date upon which such 
Affected Shares were entered in the Separate Register. 

After having initially resolved to set the maximum level at 49.0%, the directors increased the maximum 
level to 49.9% on May 26, 1999, after the number of Affected Shares exceeded the initial limit. This maximum 
level could be reduced if it becomes necessary for the directors to exercise these powers in the circumstances 
described above. The decision to make any such reduction or to change the Permitted Maximum from time to 
time  will be published in at least one national newspaper in Ireland and in any country in which the Ordinary 
Shares or ADRs are listed. The relevant notice will specify the provisions of the Articles that apply to Restricted 
Shares and the name of the person or persons who will answer queries relating to Restricted Shares on behalf of 
Ryanair  Holdings.  The  directors  shall  publish  information  as  to  the  number  of  shares  held  by  EU  nationals 
annually. 

In  an  effort  to  increase  the  percentage  of  its  share  capital  held  by  EU  nationals,  on  June  26,  2001, 
Ryanair Holdings instructed the Depositary to suspend the issuance of new ADSs in exchange for the deposit of 
Ordinary  Shares  until  further  notice  to  its  shareholders.  Holders  of  Ordinary  Shares  cannot  convert  their 
Ordinary Shares into ADRs during such suspension, and there can be no assurance that the suspension will ever 
be lifted.  

129 

 
 
 
As a further measure to increase the percentage of Ordinary Shares held by EU nationals, on February 
7, 2002, the  Company issued a notice to shareholders to the effect that any purchase of Ordinary Shares by a 
non-EU national after such date will immediately result in the issue of a Restricted Share Notice to such non-EU 
national  Purchaser.  The  Restricted  Share  Notice  compels  the  non-EU  national  purchaser  to  sell  the  Affected 
Shares  to  an  EU  national  within  21  days  of  the  date  of  issuance.  In  the  event  that  any  such  non-EU  national 
shareholder does not sell its Ordinary Shares to an EU national within the specified time period, the Company 
can  then  take  legal  action  to  compel  such  a  sale.  As  a  result,  non-EU  nationals  are  effectively  barred  from 
purchasing  Ordinary  Shares  for  as  long  as  these  restrictions  remain  in  place.  There  can  be  no  assurance  that 
these restrictions will ever be lifted. 

As  an  additional  measure,  to  ensure  the  percentage  of  shares  held  by  EU  nationals  remains  at  least 
50.1%, at the  extraordinary  general  meeting held on April 19, 2012, the Company obtained a new repurchase 
authority which  will enable the repurchase of ADRs for up to 5% of the issued share capital of the Company 
traded  on  the  NASDAQ.  This  authority  was  renewed  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  held  on  September  20, 
2013. 

Concerns  about  the  foreign  ownership  restrictions  described  above  could  result  in  the  exclusion  of 
Ryanair  from certain  stock tracking indices.  Any  such exclusion  may adversely affect the  market price  of the 
Ordinary  Shares  and  ADRs.  See  also  ―Item  3.  Risk  Factors––Risks  Related  to  Ownership  of  the  Company‘s 
Shares or  ADRs—EU  Rules  Impose Restrictions on  the Ownership of  Ryanair  Holdings‘  Ordinary  Shares by 
Non-EU  Nationals  and  the  Company  has  Instituted  a  Ban  on  the  Purchase  of  Ordinary  Shares  by  Non-EU 
Nationals‖ above. 

As  of  June  30,  2014,  EU  nationals  owned  at  least  52.8%  of  Ryanair  Holdings‘  Ordinary  Shares 
(assuming  conversion  of  all  outstanding  ADRs  into  Ordinary  Shares).  Ryanair  continuously  monitors  the 
ownership status of its Ordinary Shares, which changes on a daily basis. 

130 

 
 
 
Irish Tax Considerations 

TAXATION 

The  following  is  a  discussion  of  certain  Irish  tax  consequences  of  the  purchase,  ownership  and 
disposition of Ordinary Shares or  ADSs. This discussion is based upon tax laws and practice of Ireland at the 
date of this document, which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Particular rules may apply 
to certain classes of taxpayers (such as dealers in securities) and this discussion does not purport to deal with the 
tax consequences of purchase, ownership or disposition of the relevant securities for all categories of investors. 

The discussion is intended only as a general guide based on current Irish law and practice and is not 
intended to be, nor should it be considered to be, legal or tax advice to any particular investor or stockholder. 
Accordingly,  current  stockholders  or  potential  investors  should  satisfy  themselves  as  to  the  overall  tax 
consequences by consulting their own tax advisers.  

Dividends. If Ryanair Holdings pays dividends or makes other relevant distributions, the following is 

relevant:  

Withholding Tax. Unless exempted, a withholding at the standard rate of income tax (currently 20%) 
will apply to dividends or other relevant distributions paid by an Irish resident company. The withholding tax 
requirement  will  not  apply  to  distributions  paid  to  certain  categories  of  Irish  resident  stockholders  or  to 
distributions paid to certain categories of non-resident stockholders.  

The following Irish resident stockholders are exempt from withholding if they make to the Company, 

in advance of payment of any relevant distribution, an appropriate declaration of entitlement to exemption:  

 

Irish resident companies;  

  Pension schemes approved by the Irish Revenue Commissioners (―Irish Revenue‖);  

  Qualifying fund managers or qualifying savings managers; 

  Personal  Retirement  Savings  Account  (―PRSA‖)  administrators  who  receive  the  relevant 

distribution as income arising in respect of PRSA assets; 

  Qualifying employee share ownership trusts;  

  Collective investment undertakings;  

  Tax-exempt charities; 

  Designated brokers receiving the distribution for special portfolio investment accounts; 

  Any  person  who  is  entitled  to  exemption  from  income  tax  under  Schedule  F  on  dividends  in 
respect of an investment  in  whole or in part of payments received in respect of a civil action or 
from  the  Personal  Injuries  Assessment  Board  for  damages  in  respect  of  mental  or  physical 
infirmity; 

  Certain qualifying trusts established for the benefit of an incapacitated individual and/or persons in 

receipt of income from such a qualifying trust; 

  Any  person  entitled  to  exemption  to  income  tax  under  Schedule  F  by  virtue  of  Section  192(2) 

Taxes Consolidation Act (―TCA‖) 1997;  

  Unit trusts to which Section 731(5)(a) TCA 1997 applies; and 

  Certain Irish Revenue-approved amateur and athletic sport bodies. 

131 

 
The following non-resident stockholders are exempt from withholding if they make to the Company, in 

advance of payment of any dividend, an appropriate declaration of entitlement to exemption:  

  Persons (other than a company) who (i) are neither resident nor ordinarily resident in Ireland and 
(ii) are resident for tax purposes in (a) a country which has signed a tax treaty with Ireland (a ―tax 
treaty country‖) or (b) an EU member state other than Ireland; 

  Companies  not  resident  in  Ireland  which  are  resident  in  an  EU  member  state  or  a  tax  treaty 
country, by virtue of the law of an EU member state or a tax treaty country and are not controlled, 
directly or indirectly, by Irish residents; 

  Companies  not  resident  in  Ireland  which  are  directly  or  indirectly  controlled  by  a  person  or 
persons who are, by virtue of the law of a tax treaty country or an EU member state, resident for 
tax purposes in a tax treaty country or an EU member state other than Ireland and which are not 
controlled  directly  or  indirectly  by  persons  who  are  not  resident  for  tax  purposes  in  a  tax  treaty 
country or EU member state;  

  Companies  not  resident  in  Ireland  the  principal  class  of  shares  of  which  is  substantially  and 
regularly  traded  on  a  recognized  stock  exchange  in  a  tax  treaty  country  or  an  EU  member  state 
including Ireland or on an approved stock exchange; or 

  Companies not resident in Ireland that are  75% subsidiaries of a single company, or are  wholly-
owned by two or more companies, in either case the principal classes of shares of which is or are 
substantially and regularly traded on a recognized stock exchange in a tax treaty country or an EU 
member state including Ireland or on an approved stock exchange. 

In  the  case  of  an  individual  non-resident  stockholder  resident  in  an  EU  member  state  or  tax  treaty 
country, the declaration must be accompanied by a current certificate of tax residence from the tax authorities in 
the stockholder‘s country of residence. In the case of both an individual and corporate non-resident stockholder 
resident in an EU  member  state  or tax treaty country the  declaration also  must contain an  undertaking by the 
individual or corporate non-resident stockholder that he, she or it will advise the Company accordingly if he, she 
or  it  ceases  to  meet  the  conditions  to  be  entitled  to  the  DWT  exemption.  No  declaration  is  required  if  the 
stockholder is a 5% parent company in another EU  member state in accordance  with  section 831 TCA 1997. 
Neither  is  a  declaration  required  on  the  payment  by  a  company  resident  in  Ireland  to  another  company  so 
resident if the company making the dividend is a 51% subsidiary of that other company. 

American  Depositary  Receipts.  Special  arrangements  with  regard  to  the  dividend  withholding  tax 
obligation  apply  in  the  case  of  Irish  companies  using  ADRs  through  U.S.  depositary  banks  that  have  been 
authorized by the Irish Revenue. Such banks, which receive dividends from the company and pass them on to 
the U.S. ADS holders beneficially entitled to such dividends, will be allowed to receive and pass on the gross 
dividends (i.e., before withholding) based on an ―address system‖ where the recorded addresses of such holder, 
as listed in the depositary bank‘s register of depositary receipts, is in the United States.  

Taxation on Dividends. Companies resident in Ireland other than those taxable on receipt of dividends 
as trading income are exempt from corporation tax on distributions received on Ordinary Shares from other Irish 
resident  companies.  Stockholders  that  are  ―close‖  companies  for  Irish  taxation  purposes  may,  however,  be 
subject to a 20% corporation tax surcharge on undistributed investment income. 

Individual stockholders who are resident or ordinarily resident in Ireland are subject to income tax on 
the  gross  dividend  at  their  marginal  tax  rate,  but  are  entitled  to  a  credit  for  the  tax  withheld  by  the  company 
paying the dividend. The dividend will also be subject to the universal social charge. An individual stockholder 
who  is  not  liable  or  not  fully  liable  for  income  tax  by  reason  of  exemption  or  otherwise  may  be  entitled  to 
receive  an  appropriate  refund  of  tax  withheld.  A  charge  to  Irish  social  security  taxes  can  also  arise  for  such 
individuals on the amount of any dividend received from the Company.  

132 

 
 
 
Except in certain circumstances, a person who is neither resident nor ordinarily resident in Ireland and 
is entitled to receive dividends without deductions is not liable for Irish tax on the dividends. Where a person 
who is neither resident nor ordinarily resident in Ireland is subject to withholding tax on the dividend received 
due to not benefiting from any exemption from such withholding, the amount of that withholding will generally 
satisfy such person‘s liability for Irish tax.  

Capital Gains Tax.  A person who is either resident or ordinarily resident in Ireland will generally be 
liable  for  Irish  capital  gains  tax  on  any  gain  realized  on  the  disposal  of  the  Ordinary  Shares  or  ADSs.  The 
current capital gains tax rate is 33%. A person who is neither resident nor ordinarily resident in Ireland and who 
does not carry on a trade in Ireland through a branch or agency will not be subject to Irish capital gains tax on 
the disposal of the Ordinary Shares or ADSs.  

Irish Capital Acquisitions Tax. A gift or inheritance of the Ordinary Shares or ADSs will be within the 
charge  to  Irish  Capital  Acquisitions  Tax  (―CAT‖)  notwithstanding  that  the  donor  or  the  donee/successor  in 
relation to such gift or inheritance is resident outside Ireland. CAT is charged at a rate of  33% above a tax-free 
threshold. This tax-free threshold  is determined by the amount of the current benefit and of previous benefits 
taken since December 5, 1991, as relevant, within the charge to CAT and the relationship between the donor and 
the  successor  or  donee.  Gifts  and  inheritances  between  spouses  (and  in  certain  cases  former  spouses)  are  not 
subject to CAT. 

In a case where an inheritance or gift of the Ordinary Shares or ADSs is subject to both Irish CAT and 
foreign tax of a similar character, the foreign tax paid may in certain circumstances be credited in whole or in 
part against the Irish tax. 

Irish  Stamp  Duty.  It  is  assumed  for  the  purposes  of  this  paragraph  that  ADSs  are  dealt  in  on  a 
recognized stock exchange in the United States (NASDAQ is a recognized stock exchange in the United States 
for this purpose). Under current Irish law, no stamp duty will be payable on the acquisition of ADSs by persons 
purchasing  such  ADSs  or  on  any  subsequent  transfer  of  ADSs.  A  transfer  of  Ordinary  Shares  (including 
transfers  effected  through  Euroclear  U.K.  &  Ireland  Limited)  wherever  executed  and  whether  on  sale,  in 
contemplation of a sale or by way of a gift, will be subject to duty at the rate of 1% of the consideration given 
or,  in  the  case  of  a  gift  or  if  the  purchase  price  is  inadequate  or  unascertainable,  on  the  market  value  of  the 
Ordinary Shares. Transfers of Ordinary Shares that are not liable for duty at the rate of 1% (e.g., transfers under 
which there is no change in beneficial ownership) may be subject to a fixed duty of €12.50. 

The Irish Revenue treats a conversion of Ordinary Shares to ADSs made in contemplation of a sale or a 
change in beneficial ownership (under Irish  law) as an event subject to stamp duty at a  rate  of 1%. The Irish 
Revenue has indicated that a re-conversion of ADSs to Ordinary Shares made in contemplation of a sale or a 
change in beneficial ownership (under Irish law) will not be subject to a stamp duty. However, the subsequent 
sale of the re-converted Ordinary Shares will give rise to Irish stamp duty at the 1% rate. If the transfer of the 
Ordinary Shares is a transfer under which there is no change in the beneficial ownership (under Irish law) of the 
Ordinary Shares being transferred, nominal stamp duty only will be payable on the transfer. Under Irish law, it 
is  not  clear  whether  the  mere  deposit  of  Ordinary  Shares  for  ADSs  or  ADSs  for  Ordinary  Shares  would  be 
deemed to constitute a change in beneficial ownership. Accordingly, it is possible that holders would be subject 
to stamp duty at the 1% rate when merely depositing Ordinary Shares for ADSs or ADSs for Ordinary Shares 
and, consequently, the Depositary reserves the right in such circumstances to require payment of stamp duty at 
the rate of 1% from the holders. 

The person accountable for payment of stamp duty is the transferee or, in the case of a transfer by way 
of  a  gift  or  for  a  consideration  less  than  the  market  value,  all  parties  to  the  transfer.  Stamp  duty  is  normally 
payable within 30 days after the date of execution of the transfer. Late or inadequate payment of stamp duty will 
result in liability for interest, penalties and fines. 

133 

 
 
 
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations 

Except  as  described  below  under  the  heading  ―Non-U.S.  Holders,‖  the  following  is  a  summary  of 
certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Ordinary 
Shares  or  ADRs  by  a  holder  that  is  a  citizen  or  resident  of  the  United  States,  a  U.S.  domestic  corporation  or 
otherwise  subject  to  U.S.  federal  income  tax  on  a  net  income  basis  in  respect  of  the  Ordinary  Shares  or  the 
ADRs  (―U.S.  Holders‖).  This  summary  does  not  purport  to  be  a  comprehensive  description  of  all  of  the  tax 
considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase the Ordinary Shares or the ADRs. In particular, the 
summary deals only with U.S. Holders that will hold Ordinary Shares or ADRs as capital assets and generally 
does  not  address  the  tax  treatment  of  U.S.  Holders  that  may  be  subject  to  special  tax  rules  such  as  banks, 
insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies,  partnerships or partners therein, entities subject to the 
branch profits tax, traders in securities electing to mark to market, persons that own 10% or more of the stock of 
the Company, U.S. Holders whose  ―functional currency‖  is not U.S. dollars or persons that hold the Ordinary 
Shares  or  the  ADRs  as  part  of  an  integrated  investment  (including  a  ―straddle‖)  consisting  of  the  Ordinary 
Shares or the ADRs and one or more other positions. 

Holders of the  Ordinary Shares or the  ADRs should consult their own tax advisors as  to the  U.S.  or 
other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the Ordinary Shares or the ADRs in light 
of their particular circumstances, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local tax laws.  

For  U.S.  federal  income  tax  purposes,  holders  of  the  ADRs  will  be  treated  as  the  owners  of  the 

Ordinary Shares represented by those ADRs.  

Taxation of Dividends 

Dividends, if any, paid with respect to the Ordinary Shares, including Ordinary Shares represented by 
ADRs, will be included in the gross income of a U.S. Holder when the dividends are received by the holder or 
the Depositary. Such dividends generally should not be eligible for the ―dividends received‖ deduction allowed 
to  U.S.  corporations  in  respect  of  dividends  from  a  domestic  corporation.  Dividends  paid  in  euro  will  be 
includible in the income of a U.S. Holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in 
effect  on  the  day  they  are  received  by  the  holder  or  the  Depositary.  U.S.  Holders  generally  should  not  be 
required to recognize any foreign currency gain or loss to the extent such dividends paid in Euro are converted 
into U.S. dollars immediately upon receipt.  

Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the U.S. dollar amount of dividends 
received  by  an  individual  on  or  post  January  1,  2013  with  respect  to  the  Ordinary  Shares  or  ADRs  will  be 
subject  to  taxation  at  a  maximum  rate  of  20%  if  the  dividends  are  ―qualified  dividends‖  (apart  from  the 
Medicare  contribution  tax  referred  to  below),  and  the  individual  has  taxable  income  that  exceeds  certain 
thresholds.    Dividends  paid  on  the  Ordinary  Shares  or  ADRs  will  be  treated  as  qualified  dividends  if  (i)  the 
issuer is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that the Internal 
Revenue Service has approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules and (ii) the Company was not, in 
the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and is not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a 
passive foreign investment company (a ―PFIC‖). The income tax treaty between  Ireland and the United States 
has  been  approved  for  the  purposes  of  the  qualified  dividend  rules.  Effective  January  1,  2013,  a  Medicare 
contribution tax of 3.8% may also be applicable to U.S. individuals, estates and trusts. Based on the Company‘s 
audited financial statements and relevant market data, the Company believes that it was not treated as a PFIC for 
U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to its 2013/14 taxable year. In addition, based on the Company‘s 
audited financial statements and its current expectations regarding the value and nature of its assets, the sources 
and nature of its income, and relevant market data, the Company does not anticipate becoming a PFIC for its 
2014/15 taxable year.Under the U.S.-Ireland Income Tax Treaty currently in effect, in the event the Company 
were to pay any dividend, the tax credit attaching to the dividend (as used herein the ―Tax Credit‖; see ―—Irish 
Tax  Considerations‖)  generally  will  be  treated  as  a  foreign  income  tax  eligible  for  credit  against  such  U.S. 
Holder‘s  United  States  federal  income  tax  liability,  subject  to  generally  applicable  limitations  and  conditions. 
Any such dividend paid by the Company to such U.S. Holder will constitute income from sources outside the 
United States for foreign tax credit purposes, and generally will constitute ―passive category‖ income for such 
purposes. 

134 

 
 
 
Foreign tax credits may not be allowed for withholding taxes imposed in respect of certain short-term 

or hedged positions in securities. 

U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the implications of these rules in light of 

their particular circumstances.  

Distributions  of  Ordinary  Shares  that  are  made  as  part  of  a  pro  rata  distribution  to  all  stockholders 

generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.  

Taxation of Capital Gains   

Sale or Disposition of Ordinary Shares or ADRs. Gains or losses realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale 
or other disposition of ADRs generally will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as capital gains or 
losses, which generally will be long-term capital gains or losses if the ADRs have been held for more than one 
year.  The  net  amount  of  long-term  capital  gain  recognized  by  an  individual  holder  post  January  1,  2013 
generally is subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 20%. Effective January 1, 2013, a Medicare contribution 
tax  of  3.8%  may  also  be  applicable  to  U.S.  individuals,  estates  and  trusts.  Gains  realized  by  a  U.S.  Holder 
generally  will  constitute  income  from  sources  within  the  United  States  for  foreign  tax  credit  purposes  and 
generally  will  constitute  ―passive  category‖  income  for  such  purposes.  The  deductibility  of  capital  losses,  in 
excess of capital gains, is subject to limitations.  

Deposits and withdrawals of Ordinary Shares by U.S. Holders in exchange for ADRs will not result in 

the realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  

Non-U.S. Holders.  A  holder of Ordinary Shares or  ADRs that is,  with respect to the  United States, a 
foreign corporation or a nonresident alien individual (a ―Non-U.S. Holder‖) generally will not be subject to U.S. 
federal income or withholding tax on dividends received on such Ordinary Shares or ADRs unless such income 
is effectively connected with the conduct by such holder of a trade or business in the United States. A Non-U.S. 
Holder of ADRs or Ordinary Shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax in respect 
of gain realized on the sale or other disposition of Ordinary Shares or ADRs, unless (i) such gain is effectively 
connected with the conduct by such holder of a trade or business in the United States or (ii) in the case of gain 
realized by an individual Non-U.S. Holder, such Non-U.S. Holder is present in the United States for 183 days or 
more in the taxable year of the sale and certain other conditions are met. 

DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY 

Copies of Ryanair Holdings‘  Articles  may be  examined at its registered office  and principal place of 

business at its Corporate Head Office, Airside Business Park, Swords, County Dublin, Ireland. 

Ryanair Holdings also files reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, periodic reports on Form 6-
K and other information,  with the SEC pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC that apply to foreign 
private issuers. You may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at its Public Reference Room at 100 F 
Street,  N.E.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549.  You  may  obtain  information  on  the  operation  of  the  Public  Reference 
Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  

135 

 
 
 
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

GENERAL 

Ryanair  is  exposed  to  market  risks  relating  to  fluctuations  in  commodity  prices,  interest  rates  and 
currency  exchange  rates.  The  objective  of  financial  risk  management  at  Ryanair  is  to  minimize  the  negative 
impact of commodity price, interest rate and foreign exchange rate fluctuations on the Company‘s earnings, cash 
flows and equity. 

To manage these risks, Ryanair uses various derivative financial instruments, including cross currency 
interest  rate  swaps,  foreign  currency  forward  contracts  and  commodity  forwards.  These  derivative  financial 
instruments  are  generally  held  to  maturity  and  are  not  actively  traded.  The  Company  enters  into  these 
arrangements with the goal of hedging its operational and balance sheet risk. However, Ryanair‘s exposure to 
commodity price, interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations cannot be neutralized completely. 

In  executing  its  risk  management  strategy,  Ryanair  currently  enters  into  forward  contracts  for  the 
purchase  of  some  of  the  jet  fuel  (jet  kerosene)  that  it  expects  to  use.  It  also  uses  foreign  currency  forward 
contracts  intended  to  reduce  its  exposure  to  risks  related  to  foreign  currencies,  principally  the  U.S.  dollar. 
Furthermore,  it  enters  into  interest  rate  contracts  with  the  objective  of  fixing  certain  borrowing  costs  and 
hedging principal repayments, particularly those associated with the purchase of new Boeing 737-800s. Ryanair 
is also exposed to the risk that the counterparties to its derivative financial instruments may not be creditworthy. 
Were  a  counterparty  to  default  on  its  obligations  under  any  of  the  instruments  described  below,  Ryanair‘s 
economic expectations when entering into these arrangements might not be achieved and its financial condition 
could be adversely affected. Transactions involving derivative financial instruments are also relatively illiquid 
as compared  with those involving other kinds of  financial  instruments. It is Ryanair‘s policy not to enter into 
transactions involving financial derivatives for speculative purposes. 

The  following  paragraphs  describe  Ryanair‘s  fuel  hedging,  foreign  currency  and  interest  rate  swap 
arrangements  and  analyze  the  sensitivity  of  the  market  value,  earnings  and  cash  flows  of  the  financial 
instruments to hypothetical changes in commodity prices, interest rates and exchange rates as if these changes 
had occurred at March 31, 2014. The range of changes selected for this sensitivity analysis reflects Ryanair‘s 
view of the changes that are reasonably possible over a one-year period. 

FUEL PRICE EXPOSURE AND HEDGING 

Fuel costs constitute a substantial portion of Ryanair‘s operating expenses (approximately  46.0% and 
45.3%  of  such  expenses  in  fiscal  years  2014  and  2013,  respectively,  after  taking  into  account  Ryanair‘s  fuel 
hedging  activities).  Ryanair  engages  in  fuel  price  hedging  transactions  from  time  to  time,  pursuant  to  which 
Ryanair and a counterparty agree to exchange payments equal to the difference between a fixed price for a given 
quantity of jet fuel and the market price for such quantity of jet fuel at a given date in the future, with Ryanair 
receiving the amount of any excess of such market price over such fixed price and paying to the counterparty the 
amount of any deficit of such fixed price under such market price. 

Ryanair  has  historically  entered  into  arrangements  providing  for  substantial  protection  against 
fluctuations  in  fuel  prices,  generally  through  forward  contracts  covering  periods  of  up  to  18  months  of 
anticipated  jet  fuel  requirements.  See  ―Item  3.  Key  Information—Risk  Factors—Risks  Related  to  the 
Company—Changes  in  Fuel  Costs  and  Fuel  Availability  Affect  the  Company‘s  Results  and  Increases  the 
Likelihood that the Company May Incur Losses‖ for additional information on recent trends in fuel costs and 
the  Company‘s related hedging activities, as  well as certain associated risks. See also  ―Item 5. Operating and 
Financial  Review  and  Prospects—Fiscal  Year  2014  Compared  with  Fiscal  Year  2013—Fuel  and  Oil.‖  As  of 
July 25, 2014, Ryanair had entered into forward jet fuel (jet kerosene) contracts covering approximately 90% of 
its estimated requirements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 at prices equivalent to approximately $950 
per metric ton. In addition, as of July 25, 2014, Ryanair had entered into forward jet fuel (jet kerosene) contracts 
covering approximately 55% of its estimated requirements for the first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 
2016 at prices equivalent to approximately $950 per metric ton, and had not entered into any jet fuel hedging 
contracts with respect to its expected fuel purchases beyond that period.  

136 

 
 
 
While these hedging strategies can cushion the impact on Ryanair of fuel price increases in the short 
term, in the medium to longer-term, such strategies cannot be expected to eliminate the impact on the Company 
of an increase in the market price of jet fuel. The unrealized gains on outstanding forward agreements at March 
31,  2014  and  2013,  based  on  their  fair  values,  amounted  to  €17.2  million  and  €34.9  million  (gross  of  tax), 
respectively. Based on Ryanair‘s fuel consumption  for the  2014 fiscal  year, a change of $1.00 in the average 
annual price per metric ton of jet fuel would have caused a change of approximately  €2.0 million in Ryanair‘s 
fuel  costs.  See  ―Item  3.  Key  Information—Risk  Factors—Risks  Related  to  the  Company—Changes  in  Fuel 
Costs and Fuel Availability Affect the Company‘s Results and Increase the Likelihood that the Company May 
Incur Losses.‖  

Under  IFRS,  the  Company‘s  fuel  forward  contracts  are  treated  as  cash-flow  hedges  of  forecast  fuel 
purchases  for  risks  arising  from  the  commodity  price  of  fuel.  The  contracts  are  recorded  at  fair  value  in  the 
balance  sheet  and  are  re-measured  to  fair  value  at  the  end  of  each  fiscal  period  through  equity  to  the  extent 
effective, with any ineffectiveness recorded through the income statement. The Company has considered these 
hedges to be highly effective in offsetting variability in future cash flows arising from fluctuations in the market 
price of jet fuel because the jet fuel forward contracts typically relate to the same quantity, time, and location of 
delivery  as  the  forecast  jet  fuel  purchase  being  hedged  and  the  duration  of  the  contracts  is  typically  short. 
Accordingly, the quantification of the change in expected cash flows of the forecast jet fuel purchase is based on 
the jet fuel forward price, and in the 2014 fiscal year, the Company recorded no hedge ineffectiveness within 
earnings. The Company has recorded no level of ineffectiveness on its jet fuel hedges in its income statements 
to date. In the 2014 fiscal year, the Company recorded a positive fair-value adjustment of €15.0 million (net of 
tax) within accumulated other comprehensive income in respect of jet fuel forward contracts, and in the 2013 
fiscal  year,  the  Company  recorded  a  positive  fair-value  adjustment  of  €30.6  million  (net  of  tax)  within 
accumulated other comprehensive income. 

FOREIGN CURRENCY EXPOSURE AND HEDGING 

In recent years, Ryanair‘s revenues have been denominated primarily in two currencies,  the euro and 
U.K.  pound  sterling.  The  U.K.  pound  sterling  and  the  euro  accounted  for  approximately  25%  and  63%, 
respectively, of Ryanair‘s total revenues in both the 2014 and 2013 fiscal years. As Ryanair reports its results in 
euro, the  Company is not exposed to any  material currency risk as a result of its  euro-denominated activities. 
Ryanair‘s  operating  expenses  are  primarily  denominated  in  euro,  U.K.  pounds  sterling  and  U.S.  dollars. 
Ryanair‘s operations can be subject to significant direct exchange rate risks between the euro and the U.S. dollar 
because  a  significant  portion  of  its  operating  costs  (particularly  those  related  to  fuel  purchases)  is  incurred  in 
U.S. dollars, while  none of its revenues are denominated in U.S. dollars. Appreciation of the  euro against the 
U.S.  dollar  positively  impacts  Ryanair‘s  operating  income  because  the  euro  equivalent  of  its  U.S.  dollar 
operating  costs  decreases,  while  depreciation  of  the  euro  against  the  U.S.  dollar  negatively  impacts  operating 
income. It is Ryanair‘s policy to hedge a significant portion of its exposure to fluctuations in the exchange rate 
between the U.S. dollar and the euro. From time to time, Ryanair hedges its operating surpluses and shortfalls in 
U.K. pound sterling. Ryanair matches certain U.K. pound sterling costs with U.K. pound sterling revenues and 
may choose to sell any surplus U.K. pound sterling cash flows for euro. 

Hedging associated with the income statement. In the 2014 and 2013 fiscal years, the Company entered 
into a series of forward contracts, principally euro/U.S. dollar forward contracts to hedge against variability in 
cash  flows  arising  from  market  fluctuations  in  foreign  exchange  rates  associated  with  its  forecast  fuel, 
maintenance and insurance costs and euro/U.K. pound sterling forward contracts to hedge certain surplus U.K. 
pound sterling cash flows. At March 31, 2014, the total unrealized loss relating to these contracts amounted to 
€51.2 million, compared to a €47.4 million unrealized gain at March 31, 2013. 

Under IFRS, these foreign currency forward contracts are treated as cash-flow hedges of forecast U.S. 
dollar and U.K. pound sterling purchases to address the risks arising from U.S. dollar and U.K. pound sterling 
exchange rates. The derivatives are recorded at fair value in the balance sheet and are re-measured to fair value 
at the end of each reporting period through equity to the extent effective, with ineffectiveness recorded through 
the  income  statement.  Ryanair  considers  these  hedges  to  be  highly  effective  in  offsetting  variability  in  future 
cash flows arising from fluctuations in exchange rates, because the forward contracts are timed so as to match 
exactly  the  amount,  currency  and  maturity  date  of  the  forecast  foreign  currency-denominated  expense  being 
hedged. In the 2014 fiscal year, the Company recorded a negative fair-value adjustment of €86.3 million (net of 
tax)  within accumulated other comprehensive income in respect of these contracts, as compared to  a negative 
adjustment of €42.3 million in the 2013 fiscal year.  

137 

 
Hedging associated with the balance sheet.  In prior years, the Company entered into a series of cross 
currency  interest  rate  swaps  to  manage  exposures  to  fluctuations  in  foreign  exchange  rates  of  US  dollar-
denominated floating rate borrowings, together with managing the exposures to fluctuations in interest rates on 
these US dollar-denominated floating rate borrowings. Cross currency interest rate swaps are primarily used to 
convert a portion of the Company‘s  U.S. dollar-denominated debt to  euro and floating rate  interest exposures 
into  fixed  rate  exposures  and  are  set  so  as  to  match  exactly  the  critical  terms  of  the  underlying  debt  being 
hedged  (i.e.  notional  principal,  interest  rate  settings,  re-pricing  dates).  These  are  all  classified  as  cash-flow 
hedges  of  the  forecasted  U.S.  dollar  variable  interest  payments  on  the  Company‘s  underlying  debt  and  have 
been determined to be highly effective in achieving offsetting cash flows.  Accordingly, no ineffectiveness has 
been recorded in the income statement relating to these hedges. 

At March 31, 2014, the fair value of the cross  currency interest rate swap agreements relating to this 
U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate debt was represented by a loss of €25.9 million (gross of tax) compared to 
a  loss  of  €11.7  million  in  fiscal  2013.  In  the  2014  fiscal  year,  the  Company  recorded  a  negative  fair-value 
adjustment of €12.4 million (net of tax), compared to a loss of €3.7 million in fiscal 2013, within accumulated 
other comprehensive income in respect of these contracts.  

Hedging  associated  with  capital  expenditures.  During  the  2014  and  2013  fiscal  years,  the  Company 
also  entered  into  a  series  of  euro/U.S.  dollar  contracts  to  hedge  against  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  aircraft 
purchase  commitments  under  the  Boeing  contracts,  which  arise  from  fluctuations  in  the  euro/U.S.  dollar 
exchange  rates.  There  were  no  such  contracts  in  effect  at  March  31,  2013.  At  March  31,  2014,  the  total 
unrealized loss relating to these contracts amounted to €15.0 million. 

Under  IFRS,  the  Company  generally  accounts  for  these  contracts  as  either  cash-flow  hedges  or  fair-
value hedges. Fair-value hedges are recorded in the balance sheet at fair value. Any gains or losses arising on 
these  instruments,  as  well  as  the  related  gain  or  loss  on  the  underlying  aircraft  purchase  commitment,  are 
recorded  in  the  balance  sheet.  Any  related  ineffectiveness  is  measured  by  the  amount  by  which  these 
adjustments to earnings do not match. Cash-flow hedges are recorded at fair value in the balance sheet and are 
re-measured  to  fair  value  at  the  end  of  the  financial  period  through  equity  to  the  extent  effective,  with  any 
ineffectiveness  recorded  through  the  income  statement.  The  Company  has  found  these  hedges  to  be  highly 
effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of the aircraft purchase commitments arising from fluctuations in 
exchange rates because the forward exchange contracts are always for the same amount, currency and maturity 
dates as the corresponding aircraft purchase commitments. 

At March 31, 2014, the total  unrealized  losses relating to these contracts amounted to  €15.0 million, 
while  at  March  31,  2013  unrealized  gains  amounted  to  €nil.  Under  IFRS,  the  Company  recorded  fair-value 
adjustments of €13.1 million and fair-value adjustments of €nil for cash-flow hedges in the 2014 and 2013 fiscal 
years,  respectively.  No  amounts  were  recorded  for  such  fair-value  hedges  from  other  accumulated 
comprehensive income in the 2014 and 2013 fiscal years. 

Holding other variables constant, if there were an adverse change of 10% in relevant foreign currency 
exchange rates, the market value of Ryanair‘s foreign currency contracts outstanding at March 31, 2014 would 
decrease by approximately €294.0 million (net of tax), all of which would ultimately impact earnings when such 
contracts mature. 

138 

 
 
 
INTEREST RATE EXPOSURE AND HEDGING 

The Company‘s purchase of 246 of the 297 Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the fleet as of March 31, 2014 
has been funded by bank financing in the form of loans supported by a loan guarantee from Ex-Im Bank (with 
respect to 210  aircraft), JOLCOs and commercial debt. With respect to these  246 aircraft, at March 31, 2014, 
the Company had outstanding cumulative borrowings under these facilities of €3,083.6 million with a weighted 
average  interest  rate  of  2.49%.  See  ―Item  5.  Operating  and  Financial  Review  and  Prospects—Liquidity  and 
Capital  Resources—Capital  Resources‖  for  additional  information  on  these  facilities  and  the  related  swaps, 
including a tabular summary of the ―Effective Borrowing Profile‖ illustrating the effect of the swap transactions 
(each of  which is with an established international financial counterparty) on the profile of Ryanair‘s aircraft-
related debt at March 31, 2014. At March 31, 2014, the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements relating to 
this floating rate debt was represented by a loss of €72.4 million (gross of tax), as compared with a loss of €81.9 
million  at  March  31,  2013.  See  Note  11  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  included  in  Item  18  for 
additional information.  

If  Ryanair  had  not  entered  into  such  derivative  agreements,  a  plus  or  minus  one  percentage  point 
movement  in  interest  rates  would  impact  the  fair  value  of  this  liability  by  approximately  €16.7  million.  The 
earnings  and  cash-flow  impact  of  any  such  change  in  interest  rates  would  have  been  approximately  plus  or 
minus €18 million in the 2014 fiscal year. 

139 

 
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities 

Holders of ADSs are required to pay certain fees and expenses. The table below sets forth the fees and 
expenses  which,  under  the  deposit  agreement  between  the  Company  and  The  Bank  of  New  York  Mellon, 
holders of ADRs can be charged or be deducted from dividends or other distributions on the deposited shares. 
The Company and The Bank of New York Mellon have also entered into a separate letter agreement, which has 
the effect of reducing some of the fees listed below.  

 Persons depositing or withdrawing 
ADSs must pay: 
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 
100 ADSs). 

  For: 
  Issuance  of  ADSs, 

including 
distribution of common shares or rights or other property. 

issuances  resulting  from  a 

   Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if 

the deposit agreement terminates. 

$0.02 (or less) per ADS. 

   Any cash distribution to the holder of the ADSs. 

$0.02 (or less) per ADS per calendar year. 

   Depositary services. 

A  fee  equivalent  to  the  fee  that  would  be 
payable 
the 
if  securities  distributed 
holder  of  ADSs  had  been  shares  and  the 
shares  had  been  deposited  for  issuance  of 
ADSs. 

to 

   Distribution  of  securities  distributed  by  the  issuer  to  the  holders 
of common securities, which are distributed by the depositary to 
ADS holders. 

Registration or transfer fees. 

   Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from 
the name of the depositary or its agent when the holder of ADSs 
deposits or withdraws common shares. 

Expenses of the depositary. 

Cable, 
telex  and  facsimile 
provided for in the deposit agreement). 

transmissions  (when  expressly 

    Expenses of the depositary in converting foreign currency to U.S. 

dollars. 

Taxes  and  other  governmental  charges  the 
depositary  or  the  custodian  have  to  pay  on 
any  ADSs  or  common  shares  underlying 
ADSs  (for  example,  stock  transfer  taxes, 
stamp duty or withholding taxes). 

   As necessary. 

Any charges incurred by the depositary or 
its  agents  for  servicing  the  deposited 
securities. 

  As necessary. 

Reimbursement of Fees 

From April 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 the Depositary collected annual depositary services fees equal to 

approximately $3.0 million from holders of ADSs, net of fees paid to the Depositary by the Company. 

140 

 
 
 
 
 
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
     
 
 
 
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies 

PART II 

None. 

Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds 

None. 

Item 15. Controls and Procedures 

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 

The Company has carried out an evaluation, as of March 31, 2014, under the supervision and with the 
participation of the Company‘s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of 
the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company‘s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in 
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of 
any  system  of  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  including  the  possibility  of  human  error  and  the 
circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and 
procedures  can  only  provide  reasonable  assurance  of  achieving  their  control  objectives.  Based  upon  the 
Company‘s evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of March 
31, 2014, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information 
required  to  be  disclosed  in  the  reports  the  Company  files  or  submits  under  the  Exchange  Act  is  recorded, 
processed, summarized and reported as and when required, within the time periods specified in the applicable 
rules  and  forms,  and  that  it  is  accumulated  and  communicated  to  the  Company‘s  management,  including  the 
chief executive officer and chief  financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required 
disclosure. 

141 

 
 
 
MANAGEMENT‟S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL 
REPORTING 

The Company‘s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control 
over financial reporting, (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). The Company‘s 
internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements  for external purposes in accordance  with IFRS. 
The Company‘s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: 

 

 

 

pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail,  accurately  and  fairly  reflect  the 
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; 

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of 
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts 
and  expenditures  of  the  Company  are  being  made  only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of 
management and directors; and 

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, 
use  or  disposition  of  the  Company‘s  assets  that  could  have  a  material  effect  on  the  financial 
statements. 

The  Company‘s  management  evaluated  the  effectiveness  of  the  Company‘s  internal  control  over 
financial reporting as of March 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in the 1992 Framework in ―Internal 
Control  —  Integrated  Framework,‖  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission  (―COSO‖).  Based  on  the  evaluation,  management  has  concluded  that  the  Company  maintained 
effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2014. 

142 

 
 
 
 
 
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

There has been no change in the Company‘s internal control over financial reporting during the 2014 
fiscal  year  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the  Company‘s  internal 
control over financial reporting. 

Item 16. Reserved 

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert 

The  Company‘s  Board  of  Directors  has  determined  that  Declan  McKeon  qualifies  as  an  ―audit 
committee financial expert‖ within the meaning of this Item 16A. Mr. McKeon is ―independent‖ for purposes of 
the listing rules of NASDAQ.  

Item 16B. Code of Ethics 

The Company has adopted a broad Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that meets the requirements 
for a ―code of ethics‖ as defined in Item 16B of Form 20-F. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applies to 
the  Company‘s chief executive  officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, controller and persons 
performing  similar  functions,  as  well  as  to  all  of  the  Company‘s  other  officers,  directors  and  employees.  The 
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on Ryanair‘s website at http://www.ryanair.com. (Information 
appearing on the website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.) The Company has not made 
any amendment to, or granted any waiver from, the provisions of this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that 
apply  to  its  chief  executive  officer,  chief  financial  officer,  chief  accounting  officer,  controller  or  persons 
performing similar functions during its most recently completed fiscal year.  

Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

Audit and Non-Audit Fees 

The following table sets forth the  fees billed or billable to the Company by its independent auditors, 

KPMG, during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:  

2014 

Year ended March 31, 
2013 
(millions) 

2012 

Audit fees ..................................................  
Tax fees .....................................................  
Total fees ...................................................  

€0.5 
€0.3 
€0.8 

€0.5 
€0.3 
€0.8 

€0.4 
€0.4 
€0.8 

Audit fees in the above table are the aggregate fees billed or billable by KPMG in connection with the 
audit of the Company‘s annual financial statements, as well as work that generally only the independent auditor 
can reasonably be expected to provide, including the provision of comfort letters, statutory audits, discussions 
surrounding  the  proper  application  of  financial  accounting  and  reporting  standards  and  services  provided  in 
connection with certain regulatory requirements including those under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 

Tax fees include fees for all services, except those services specifically related to the audit of financial 
statements,  performed  by  the  independent  auditor‘s  tax  personnel,  work  performed  in  support  of  other  tax-
related regulatory requirements and tax compliance reporting. 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures 

The audit committee expressly pre-approves every engagement of Ryanair‘s independent auditors for 

all audit and non-audit services provided to the Company. 

143 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees 

None. 

Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers 

The following table details purchases by the Company of its Ordinary shares in the 2014 fiscal year.  

Month / Period 

April 1, 2013 to April 30, 2013 
May 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013 
June 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013 
July 1, 2013 to July 31, 2013 
August 1, 2013 to August 31, 2013 
September 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013 
October 1, 2013 to October 31, 2013 
November 1, 2013 to November 30, 2013 
December 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 
January 1, 2014 to January 31, 2014 
February 1, 2014 to February 28, 2014 
March 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014 
Total (Year-end) 

Total Number of 
Ordinary Shares 
Purchased (a) 

(Millions) 

- 
- 
24.1 
- 
- 
- 
10.0 
10.0 
15.5 
 4.7 
 3.8 
 1.4 
69.5 

Average Price 
Paid Per 
Ordinary Share 

(€) 

- 
- 
7.23 
- 
- 
- 
7.38 
5.75 
6.66 
6.55 
6.79 
7.31 
6.93 

(a) 

The  Ordinary  Share  purchases  in  the  table  above  have  not  been  made  pursuant  to  publicly 
announced  plans  or  programs,  and  consist  of  open-market  transactions  conducted  within  defined  parameters 
pursuant  to  the  Company‘s  repurchase  authority  from  shareholders  granted  via  a  special  resolution.    The 
Ordinary Share purchases in the table above include the purchase during fiscal year 2014 of just over 6.0 million 
ADRs. Each ADR purchased represents five Ordinary Shares. 

See  ―Item  8.  Financial  Information—Other  Financial  Information—Share  Buy-Back  Program‖  and 
―Item  9.  The  Offer  and  Listing—Trading  Markets  and  Share  Prices‖  for  further  information  regarding  the 
Company‘s Ordinary Share buy-back program, pursuant to which all of the shares purchased by the Company 
and disclosed in the table above were purchased. 

Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certified Accountant 

Not applicable. 

Item 16G. Corporate Governance 

See ―Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Directors—Exemptions from NASDAQ 
Corporate  Governance  Rules‖  for  further  information  regarding  the  ways  in  which  the  Company‘s  corporate 
governance practices differ from those followed by domestic companies listed on NASDAQ.  

Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure 

Not applicable. 

144 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART III 

Item 17. Financial Statements 

Not applicable. 

Item 18. Financial Statements 

RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC 
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Consolidated Balance Sheet of Ryanair Holdings plc at March 31, 2014 ................................  

Consolidated Income Statement of Ryanair Holdings plc for the Year ended March 31, 
2014 .........................................................................................................................................  

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income of Ryanair Holdings plc for the year 
ended March 31, 2014 .............................................................................................................  

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders‘ Equity of Ryanair Holdings plc for the 
years ended March 31, 2014 ....................................................................................................  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow of Ryanair Holdings plc for the years ended March 
31, 2014 ...................................................................................................................................  

Notes ........................................................................................................................................  

Company Balance Sheet of Ryanair Holdings plc at March 31, 2014 .....................................  

Company Statement of Cash Flows of Ryanair Holdings plc for the year ended March 31, 
2014 .........................................................................................................................................  

Company Statement of Changes in Shareholders‘ Equity of Ryanir Holdings plc for the year 
ended March 31, 2014 .............................................................................................................  

Notes forming part of Company Financial Statements ............................................................  

Directors and other Information ...............................................................................................  

Page 

146 

147 

148 

149 

151 

152 

201 

202 

203 

204 

207 

145 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet 

At March 
31, 2014 
€M 

At March 
31, 2013 
€M 

At March 
31, 2012 
€M 

Note 

Non-current assets 

Property, plant and equipment .......................................................................  2 
Intangible assets .............................................................................................  3 
Available for sale financial assets ..................................................................  4 
Derivative financial instruments ....................................................................  5 
Total non-current assets ..................................................................................   

Current assets 

Inventories  ....................................................................................................  6 
Other assets  ...................................................................................................  7 
Current tax  ....................................................................................................  12 
Trade receivables ...........................................................................................  8 
Derivative financial instruments ....................................................................  5 
Restricted cash ...............................................................................................  9 
Financial assets: cash > 3 months ..................................................................   
Cash and cash equivalents .............................................................................   
Total current assets ..........................................................................................   
Total assets .......................................................................................................   

Current liabilities 

Trade payables ...............................................................................................   
Accrued expenses and other liabilities ...........................................................  10 
Current maturities of debt ..............................................................................  11 
Current tax  ....................................................................................................  12 
Derivative financial instruments ....................................................................  5 
Total current liabilities ....................................................................................   

Non-current liabilities 

Provisions ......................................................................................................  13 
Derivative financial instruments ....................................................................  5 
Deferred tax  ..................................................................................................  12 
Other creditors ...............................................................................................  14 
Non-current maturities of debt .......................................................................  11 
Total non-current liabilities ............................................................................   
Shareholders‟ equity 

Issued share capital ........................................................................................  15 
Share premium account..................................................................................  15 
Capital redemption reserve ............................................................................   
Retained earnings ...........................................................................................   
Other reserves ................................................................................................  16 
Shareholders‟ equity ........................................................................................   
Total liabilities and shareholders‟ equity .......................................................   

5,060.3 
46.8 
260.3 
0.4 
5,367.8 

2.5 
124.2 
1.1 
58.1 
16.7 
13.3 
1,498.3 
1,730.1 
3,444.3 
8,812.1 

150.0 
1,561.2 
467.9 
- 
95.4 
2,274.5 

133.9 
43.2 
368.6 
90.4 
2,615.7 
3,251.8 

8.8 
704.2 
1.2 
2,465.1 
106.5 
3,285.8 
8,812.1 

4,906.3 
46.8 
221.2 
5.1 
5,179.4 

2.7 
67.7 
- 
56.1 
78.1 
24.7 
2,293.4 
1,240.9 
3,763.6 
8,943.0 

138.3 
1,341.4 
399.9 
0.3 
31.8 
1,911.7 

135.9 
50.1 
346.5 
127.8 
3,098.4 
3,758.7 

9.2 
687.8 
0.8 
2,418.6 
156.2 
3,272.6 
8,943.0 

4,925.2 
46.8 
149.7 
3.3 
5,125.0 

2.8 
64.9 
9.3 
51.5 
231.9 
35.1 
772.2 
2,708.3 
3,876.0 
9,001.0 

181.2 
1,237.2 
368.4 
- 
28.2 
1,815.0 

103.2 
53.6 
319.4 
146.3 
3,256.8 
3,879.3 

9.3 
666.4 
0.7 
2,400.1 
230.2 
3,306.7 
9,001.0 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

On behalf of the Board 

M.O‘Leary 
Director  

July 25, 2014 

D. Bonderman 
Director 

146 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Income Statement 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Note 

Operating revenues 

Scheduled revenues ........................................................................................  17 
Ancillary revenues ..........................................................................................  17 
Total operating revenues – continuing operations .........................................  17 
Operating expenses 

Fuel and oil .....................................................................................................   
Airport and handling charges .........................................................................   
Route charges .................................................................................................   
Staff costs .......................................................................................................  18 
Depreciation ...................................................................................................  2 
Marketing, distribution and other ...................................................................   
Maintenance, materials and repairs ................................................................   
Aircraft rentals ................................................................................................   
Total operating expenses ..................................................................................   

3,789.5 
1,247.2 
5,036.7 

(2,013.1) 
(617.2) 
(522.0) 
(463.6) 
(351.8) 
(192.8) 
(116.1) 
(101.5) 
(4,378.1) 

3,819.8 
1,064.2 
4,884.0 

(1,885.6) 
(611.6) 
(486.6) 
(435.6) 
(329.6) 
(197.9) 
(120.7) 
(98.2) 
(4,165.8) 

3,504.0 
886.2 
4,390.2 

(1,593.6) 
(554.0) 
(460.5) 
(415.0) 
(309.2) 
(180.0) 
(104.0) 
(90.7) 
(3,707.0) 

Operating profit – continuing operations .......................................................   

658.6 

718.2 

683.2 

Other income/(expense) 

Finance expense .............................................................................................  20 
Finance income...............................................................................................   
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain ..........................................................................   
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment ........................................   
Total other expense ..........................................................................................   

Profit before tax ................................................................................................   
Tax expense on profit on ordinary activities...................................................  12 
Profit for the year – all attributable to equity holders of parent ..................   

Basic earnings per ordinary share (euro cent) ................................................  22 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (euro cent) .............................................  22 
Number of ordinary shares (in Ms) ................................................................  22 
Number of diluted shares (in Ms) ...................................................................  22 

(83.2) 
16.5 
(0.5) 
- 
(67.2) 

591.4 
(68.6) 
522.8 

36.96 
36.86 
1,414.6 
1,418.2 

(99.3) 
27.4 
4.6 
- 
(67.3) 

650.9 
(81.6) 
569.3 

39.45 
39.33 
1,443.1 
1,447.4 

(109.2) 
44.3 
4.3 
10.4 
(50.2) 

633.0 
(72.6) 
560.4 

38.03 
37.94 
1,473.7 
1,477.0 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

 On behalf of the Board 

M.O‘Leary 
Director  

July 25, 2014 

D. Bonderman 
Director 

147 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Year ended 
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended 
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended 
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

522.8 
Profit for the year ...........................................................................................................  

569.3 

560.4 

Other comprehensive income: 

Items that will never be reclassified to profit or loss: 
(1.6) 
     Net actuarial (loss) from retirement benefit plans ........................................................  
(1.6) 

(1.1) 
(1.1) 

(6.3) 
(6.3) 

Items that may or will be reclassified subsequently to profit or 
loss: 
     Cash-flow hedge reserve-effective portion of fair value 

changes to derivatives: 
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash-flow hedges ........................................  
Net change in fair value of cash-flow hedges transferred to 
property, plant and equipment ..........................................................................................  
Net change in fair value of cash-flow hedges transferred to profit 
or loss ................................................................................................................................  
Net movements in cash-flow hedge reserve ......................................................................  

24.4 
(83.7) 

(108.0) 

(0.1) 

Available for sale financial asset: 
Net increase in fair value of available-for-sale asset .........................................................  

39.1 

Total other comprehensive expense for the year, net of income 
(46.2) 
tax .....................................................................................................................................  

(44.6) 

(128.4) 

4.7 

(14.4) 
(138.1) 

71.5 

(66.6) 

(67.7) 

147.3 

(11.1) 

(255.0) 
(118.8) 

35.7 

(83.1) 

(89.4) 

Total comprehensive income for the year – all attributable to 
476.6 
equity holders of parent .................................................................................................  

501.6 

471.0 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information.  

On behalf of the Board 

M.O‘Leary 
Director  

July 25, 2014 

D. Bonderman 
Director 

148 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders‟ Equity 

Other Reserves 

Balance at March 31, 2011 ..................  
Profit for the year ...................................  
Other comprehensive income 
Net actuarial losses from retirement 
benefits plan ..........................................  
Net movements in cash-flow reserve .....  
Net change in fair value of available- 
for-sale asset ..........................................  
Total other comprehensive income/ 
(loss) ......................................................  
Total comprehensive income .................  
Transactions with owners of the 
Company, recognised directly in equity 
Issue of ordinary equity shares ..............  
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares ....  
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary 
shares .....................................................  
Share-based payments ...........................  
Transfer of exercised and expired share-
based awards ..........................................  
Balance at March 31, 2012 ..................  
Profit for the year ...................................  
Other comprehensive income 
Net actuarial losses from  retirement 
benefits plan ..........................................  
Net movements in cash-flow reserve .....  
Net change in fair value of available- 
for-sale asset ..........................................  
Total other comprehensive income/ 
(loss) ......................................................  
Total comprehensive income .................  
Transactions with owners of the 
Company, recognised directly in equity 
Issue of ordinary equity shares ..............  
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares ....  
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary 
shares .....................................................  
Share-based payments ...........................  
Dividend Paid ........................................  
Transfer of exercised share-based 
awards ....................................................  
Balance at March 31, 2013 ..................  

Ordinary 
Shares 
M 
1,489.6 
- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

2.5 
- 

(36.5) 
- 

- 
1,455.6 
- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

6.5 
- 

(15.0) 
- 
- 

- 
1,447.1 

Issued 
Share 
Capital  Account  Earnings  Reserve  Hedging  Reserves 

Capital 
Redemption 

Share 
Premium 

Retained 

Other 

€M 

9.5 
- 

€M 
659.3 
- 

€M 
1,967.6 
560.4 

€M 

0.5 
- 

€M 
257.4 
- 

€M 

59.6 
- 

Total 
€M 
2,953.9 
560.4 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

0.2 
- 

- 
0.7 
- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

0.1 
- 
- 

- 
0.8 

- 
(118.8) 

- 

(118.8) 
(118.8) 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
138.6 
- 

- 
(138.1) 

- 

(138.1) 
(138.1) 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

(6.3) 
(118.8) 

35.7 

35.7 
35.7 

35.7 

(89.4) 
471.0 

- 
- 

7.1 
(124.6) 

- 
(0.7) 

(3.0) 
91.6 
- 

- 
(0.7) 

- 
3,306.7 
569.3 

- 
- 

(1.1) 
(138.1) 

71.5 

71.5 
71.5 

- 
- 

- 
1.9 
- 

71.5 

(67.7) 
501.6 

21.4 
(67.5) 

- 
1.9 
(491.5) 

- 
0.5 

(9.3) 
155.7 

- 
3,272.6 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

(0.2) 
- 

- 
9.3 
- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

(0.1) 
- 
- 

- 
9.2 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

(6.3) 
- 

- 

(6.3) 
554.1 

7.1 
- 

- 
(124.6) 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
666.4 
- 

3.0 
2,400.1 
569.3 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

(1.1) 
- 

- 

(1.1) 
568.2 

21.4 
- 

- 
(67.5) 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
(491.5) 

- 
687.8 

9.3 
2,418.6 

149 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders‟ Equity Continued 

Other Reserves 

Ordinary 
Shares 
M 

Issued 
Share 
Capital  Account  Earnings  Reserve  Hedging  Reserves 

Capital 
Redemption 

Share      
Premium 

Retained 

Other 

€M 

€M 

€M 

€M 

€M 

Profit for the year……………………… 
Other comprehensive income 
Net actuarial losses from  retirement 
benefits plan…………………………… 
Net movements in cash-flow reserve…. 
Net change in fair value of available-for 
-sale asset…….……………………….. 
Total other comprehensive 
income/(loss)…………………………... 
Total comprehensive income……….….. 
Transactions with owners of the 
Company, recognised directly in equity 
Issue of ordinary equity shares………… 
Share-based payments………………… 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares…. 
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary 
shares…………………………………. 
Transfer of exercised and expired share-
based awards…………………………… 
Balance at March 31, 2014 ..................  

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

5.7 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

€M 
522.8 

(1.6) 

- 

- 

(1.6) 
521.2 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

16.4 
- 
- 

- 
- 
(481.7) 

(69.5) 

(0.4) 

- 

- 

- 
1,383.3 

- 
8.8 

- 
704.2 

7.0 
2,465.1 

- 

- 

(83.7) 

- 

(83.7) 
(83.7) 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

39.1 

39.1 
39.1 

- 
1.9 
- 

- 

Total 
€M 
522.8 

(1.6) 

(83.7) 

39.1 

(46.2) 
476.6 

16.4 
1.9 
(481.7) 

- 

- 
(83.2) 

(7.0) 
189.7 

- 
3,285.8 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

0.4 

- 
1.2 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

150 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Year ended 
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended 
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended 
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Operating activities 

Profit after tax ................................................................................................  

522.8 

569.3 

560.4 

Adjustments to reconcile profit before tax  
to net cash provided by operating activities 

Depreciation...................................................................................................  
Retirement costs ............................................................................................  
Tax expense on profit on ordinary activities ..................................................  
Share-based payments charge/(credit) ...........................................................  
Decrease/(increase) in inventories .................................................................   
(Increase) in trade receivables .......................................................................  
(Increase)/decrease in other current assets .....................................................  
Increase/(decrease) in trade payables .............................................................  
Increase in accrued expenses .........................................................................  
(Decrease)/increase in other creditors ............................................................  
(Decrease)/increase in provisions ..................................................................  
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment........................................  
Decrease in finance income ...........................................................................  
(Decrease)/increase in finance expense .........................................................  
Income tax (paid) ...........................................................................................  

Net cash provided by operating activities ..................................................  

351.8 
(1.2) 
68.6 
1.9 
0.2 
(2.0) 
(56.6) 
11.7 
220.7 
(37.4) 
(2.7) 
- 
0.1 
(0.9) 
(32.4) 
1,044.6 

Investing activities 

Capital expenditure (purchase of property, plant and equipment) .................   (505.8) 
- 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment ....................................  
11.4 
Decrease in restricted cash .............................................................................  
795.1 
Decrease/(increase) in financial assets: cash > 3 months ...............................  
300.7 

Net cash from/(used) in investing activities ...............................................  

Financing activities 

Shares purchased under share buy-back programme .....................................   (481.7) 
16.4 
Net proceeds from shares issued ....................................................................  
- 
Dividend paid ................................................................................................  
- 
Proceeds from long term borrowings .............................................................  
Repayments of long term borrowings ............................................................   (390.8) 
(856.1) 

Net cash used in financing activities ...........................................................  

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ......................................  

489.2 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year .............................................   1,240.9 
1,730.1 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year ..................................................  

329.6 
- 
81.6 
1.9 
0.1 
(4.6) 
(5.0) 
(42.9) 
107.2 
(18.5) 
31.1 
- 
2.2 
(2.7) 
(25.8) 
1,023.5 

(310.7) 
- 
10.4 
(1,521.2) 
(1,821.5) 

(67.5) 
21.4 
(491.5) 
234.6 
(366.4) 
(669.4) 

(1,467.4) 
2,708.3 
1,240.9 

309.2 
(0.1) 
72.6 
(0.7) 
(0.1) 
(0.9) 
34.5 
30.4 
11.6 
19.7 
6.6 
(10.4) 
- 
1.1 
(13.6) 
1,020.3 

(317.6) 
27.2 
7.8 
97.2 
(185.4) 

(124.6) 
7.1 
- 
292.3 
(329.7) 
(154.9) 

680.0 
2,028.3 
2,708.3 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

151 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes forming part of the Consolidated Financial Statements 

1 

Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies  

The accounting policies applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for the 2014 
fiscal year are set out below. These have been applied consistently for all periods presented, except as otherwise 
stated. 

Business activity 

Ryanair Limited and its subsidiaries (―Ryanair Limited‖) has operated as an international airline since 
commencing  operations  in  1985.  On  August  23,  1996,  Ryanair  Holdings  Limited,  a  newly  formed  holding 
company,  acquired  the  entire  issued  share  capital  of  Ryanair  Limited.  On  May  16,  1997,  Ryanair  Holdings 
Limited re-registered as a public limited company,  Ryanair Holdings plc (the  ―Company‖). Ryanair Holdings 
plc  and  its  subsidiaries  are  hereafter  together  referred  to  as  ―Ryanair  Holdings  plc‖  (or  ―we‖,  ―our‖,  ―us‖, 
―Ryanair‖  or  the  ―Company‖)  and  currently  operate  a  low-fares  airline  headquartered  in  Dublin,  Ireland.  All 
trading activity continues to be undertaken by the group of companies headed by Ryanair Limited.  

Statement of compliance 

In  accordance  with  the  International  Accounting  Standards  (―IAS‖)  Regulation  (EC  1606  (2002)) 
which applies throughout the European Union (―EU‖), the consolidated financial statements have been prepared 
in  accordance  with  International  Accounting  Standards  and  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  
(―IFRS‖) as adopted by the EU (―IFRS as adopted by the EU‖), which are effective for the year ended and as at 
March 31, 2014.  In addition to complying with its legal obligation to comply with IFRS as adopted by the EU, 
the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board (―IASB‖) (―IFRS as issued by the IASB‖). The consolidated financial statements 
have also been prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2013.  

Details of  legislative changes and new accounting standards or amendments to accounting  standards, 
which are not yet effective and have not been early adopted in these consolidated financial statements, and the 
likely impact on future financial statements are set forth below in the prospective accounting changes section.  

New accounting standards adopted during the year 

The  following  new  and  amended  standards,  that  have  been  issued  by  the  International  Accounting 
Standards  Board  (IASB),  and  are  effective  under  those  standards  for  the  first  time  for  the  financial  year 
beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and have also been endorsed by the EU, have been applied by the Group 
for the first time in the consolidated financial statements;  

 

IAS 1 (amendment 2011), “Presentation of Items of financial statements”.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IAS 19 (amendment 2011), “Employee benefits”. 

IFRS 7 (amendment), ―Disclosures – Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” 

IFRS 13, ―Fair Value Measurement”.  

 ―Improvements to IFRSs‖. 2009-2011 Cycle. 

IAS 27 (amended 2011), ―Separate financial statements‖. 

IAS 28 (amended 2011), ―Associates and joint ventures‖. 

IFRS 10, “Consolidated Financial Statements”. 

152 

 
 
 

 

IFRS 11, ―Joint arrangements”.  

IFRS 12, ―Disclosure of interests in other entities”. 

In addition the following amendment has been early adopted: 

 

IAS  36  (amendment),  “Recoverable  Amount  Disclosures  for  Non-Financial  Assets”  (effective  for 
fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014). 

The  adoption  of  these  new  or  amended  standards  did  not  have  a  material  impact  on  our  financial  position,  
results from operations, or disclosures in the year ended March 31, 2014. 

Basis of preparation 

These  consolidated  financial  statements  are  presented  in  euro  millions,  the  euro  being  the  functional 
currency of the parent entity and the majority of the group companies. They are prepared on the historical cost 
basis, except for derivative financial instruments and available-for-sale securities which are stated at fair value, 
and share-based payments, which are based on fair value determined as at the grant date of the relevant share 
options. Certain non-current assets, when they are classified as held for sale, are stated at the lower of cost and 
fair value less costs to sell. 

Critical accounting policies 

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  IFRS  requires  management  to  make 
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and 
liabilities, income and expenses. These estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience 
and various other  factors believed to be reasonable under the  circumstances, and the results of  such estimates 
form the basis of judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent  from 
other  sources.  Actual  results  could  differ  materially  from  these  estimates.  These  underlying  assumptions  are 
reviewed  on  an  ongoing  basis.  A  revision  to  an  accounting  estimate  is  recognised  in  the  period  in  which  the 
estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if 
these are also affected. Principal sources of estimation uncertainty have been set forth in the critical accounting 
policies section below. Actual results may differ from estimates. 

The Company believes that its critical accounting policies, which are those that require management‘s 
most difficult, subjective and complex judgements, are those described in this section. These critical accounting 
policies,  the  judgements  and  other  uncertainties  affecting  application  of  these  policies  and  the  sensitivity  of 
reported  results  to  changes  in  conditions  and  assumptions  are  factors  to  be  considered  in  reviewing  the 
consolidated financial statements. 

Long-lived assets 

As  of  March  31,  2014,  Ryanair  had  €5.1  billion  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  long-lived  assets, 
virtually  all  of  which  consisted  of  aircraft.  In  accounting  for  long-lived  assets,  Ryanair  must  make  estimates 
about  the  expected  useful  lives  of  the  assets,  the  expected  residual  values  of  the  assets  and  the  potential  for 
impairment based on the fair value of the assets and the cash flows they generate.  

In estimating the lives and expected residual values of its aircraft, Ryanair has primarily relied on its 
own and industry experience, recommendations from Boeing, the manufacturer of all of the Company‘s aircraft, 
and other data available in the marketplace. Subsequent revisions to these estimates, which can be significant, 
could be caused by changes to Ryanair‘s maintenance programme, changes in utilisation of the aircraft, changes 
to governmental regulations on aging aircraft, and changing market prices for new and used aircraft of the same 
or similar types. Ryanair evaluates its estimates and assumptions in each reporting period, and, when warranted, 
adjusts  these  assumptions.  Generally,  these  adjustments  are  accounted  for  on  a  prospective  basis,  through 
depreciation expense. 

153 

 
 
 
 
Ryanair  periodically  evaluates  its  long-lived  assets  for  impairment.  Factors  that  would  indicate 
potential  impairment  would  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  significant  decreases  in  the  market  value  of  an 
aircraft, a significant change in an aircraft‘s physical condition and operating or cash flow losses associated with 
the use of the aircraft. While the airline industry as a whole has experienced many of these factors from time to 
time, Ryanair has not yet been seriously impacted and continues to record positive cash flows from these long-
lived assets. Consequently, Ryanair has not yet identified any impairments related to its existing aircraft fleet. 
The Company will continue to monitor its long-lived assets and the general airline operating environment.  

The Company‘s estimate of the recoverable amount of aircraft residual values is 15% of current market 
value  of  new  aircraft,  determined  periodically,  based  on  independent  valuations  and  actual  aircraft  disposals 
during  prior  periods.  Aircraft  are  depreciated  over  a  useful  life  of  23  years  from  the  date  of  manufacture  to 
residual value. 

Heavy maintenance 

An  element  of  the  cost  of  an  acquired  aircraft  is  attributed,  on  acquisition,  to  its  service  potential, 

reflecting the maintenance condition of the engines and airframe.  

For aircraft held under operating lease agreements, Ryanair is contractually committed to either return 
the  aircraft  in  a  certain  condition  or  to  compensate  the  lessor  based  on  the  actual  condition  of  the  airframe, 
engines and life-limited parts upon return. In order to fulfill such conditions of the lease,  maintenance, in the 
form  of  major  airframe  overhaul,  engine  maintenance  checks,  and  restitution  of  major  life-limited  parts,  is 
required  to  be  performed  during  the  period  of  the  lease  and  upon  return  of  the  aircraft  to  the  lessor.  The 
estimated  airframe  and  engine  maintenance  costs  and  the  costs  associated  with  the  restitution  of  major  life-
limited parts, are accrued and charged to profit or loss over the lease term for this contractual obligation, based 
on the present value of the estimated future cost of the major airframe overhaul, engine maintenance checks, and 
restitution of major life-limited parts, calculated by reference to the number of hours flown or cycles operated 
during the year. 

Ryanair‘s  aircraft  operating  lease  agreements  typically  have  a  term  of  seven  years,  which  closely 
correlates  with the timing of  heavy  maintenance checks. The  contractual obligation to  maintain and replenish 
aircraft held under operating lease exists independently of any future actions within the control of Ryanair.   

While  Ryanair  may,  in  very  limited  circumstances,  sub-lease  its  aircraft,  it  remains  fully  liable  to 

perform all of its contractual obligations under the ‗head lease‘ notwithstanding any such sub-leasing. 

Both of these elements of accounting policies involve the use of estimates in determining the quantum 
of both the initial maintenance asset and/or the amount of provisions to be recorded and the respective periods 
over which such amounts are charged to income. In making such estimates, Ryanair has primarily relied on its 
own and industry experience, industry regulations and recommendations from Boeing; however, these estimates 
can be subject to revision, depending on a number of factors, such as the timing of the planned maintenance, the 
ultimate  utilisation  of  the  aircraft,  changes  to  government  regulations  and  increases  or  decreases  in  estimated 
costs. Ryanair evaluates its estimates and assumptions in each reporting period and, when warranted, adjusts its 
assumptions,  which  generally  impact  maintenance  and  depreciation  expense  in  the  income  statement  on  a 
prospective basis. 

Tax Audits 

Income tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax.  Current tax payable on 
taxable  profits  is  recognised  as  an  expense  in  the  period  in  which  the  profits  arise  using  tax  rates  enacted  or 
substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.  Deferred tax is provided in full, using the balance sheet liability 
method on temporary differences arising from the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amount in 
the consolidated financial statements.   

Social insurance, passenger taxes and sales taxes are recorded as a liability based on laws enacted in 

the jurisdictions to which they relate. Liabilities are recorded when an obligation has been incurred.  

154 

 
 
 
 
 
Ryanair  reviews  its  tax  obligations  by  jurisdiction  regularly.   There  are  many  complexities  and 
judgements in determining tax obligations due to the inherent complexity of tax law, the manner in which airline 
businesses are carried out whereby operations can begin and end in different jurisdictions and assumptions made 
about the timing and amount of individual balances to be included in financial statements and tax returns.   

Ryanair has an internal tax group and takes professional advice on more complex matters in estimating 
its  tax  liabilities.   Ryanair  also  deals  extensively  with  revenue  authorities  in  each  jurisdiction  in  which  it 
operates.  Tax liabilities are based on the best estimate of the likely obligation at each reporting period.  These 
estimates are subject to revision based on the outcome of tax audits and discussions with revenue authorities that 
can take several years to conclude. 

Basis of consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of Ryanair Holdings plc and its 
subsidiary  undertakings  as  of  March  31,  2014.  Subsidiaries  are  entities  controlled  by  Ryanair.  Control  exists 
when  Ryanair  is  exposed  or  has  rights  to  variable  returns  from  its  involvement  with  the  investee  and  has  the 
ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. 

All inter-company account balances and any unrealised income or expenses arising from intra-group 

transactions have been eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements. 

The  results  of  subsidiary  undertakings  acquired  or  disposed  of  in  the  period  are  included  in  the 
consolidated income statement from the date of acquisition or up to the date of disposal. Upon the acquisition of 
a business, fair values are attributed to the separable net assets acquired. 

Foreign currency translation 

Items included in the financial statements of each of the group entities are measured using the currency 
of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the ―functional currency‖). The consolidated 
financial statements are presented in euro, which is the functional currency of the majority of the group entities. 

Transactions arising in foreign currencies are translated into the respective functional currencies at the 
rates of exchange in effect at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies are re-translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to euro at foreign exchange rates in effect at the dates 
the transactions were effected. Foreign currency differences arising on retranslation are recognised in profit or 
loss,  except  for  differences  arising  on  qualifying  cash-flow  hedges,  which  are  recognised  in  other 
comprehensive income. 

Property, plant and equipment 

Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and provisions 
for impairments, if any. Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. Cost 
may also include transfers from other comprehensive income of any gain or loss on qualifying cash-flow hedges 
of foreign currency purchases of property, plant and equipment. Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the 
cost,  less  estimated  residual  value,  of  assets  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  their  expected  useful  lives  at  the 
following annual rates: 

Hangar and buildings .......................................................................................................  
Plant and equipment (excluding aircraft) .........................................................................  
Fixtures and fittings .........................................................................................................  
Motor vehicles .................................................................................................................  

Rate of 
Depreciation 
5% 
20-33.3% 
20% 
33.3% 

155 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aircraft are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives to estimated residual 

values. The estimates of useful lives and residual values at year-end are: 

Aircraft Type 
Boeing 737-800s 

Number of Owned Aircraft 

at March 31, 2014 

246(a) 

Useful Life 
23 years from date of 
manufacture 

Residual Value 
15% of current market value of new 
aircraft, determined periodically 

(a)  The Company operated 297 aircraft as of March 31, 2014, of which 51 were leased. 

The Company‘s estimate of the recoverable amount of aircraft residual values is 15% of current market 
value  of  new  aircraft,  determined  periodically,  based  on  independent  valuations  and  actual  aircraft  disposals 
during prior periods.  

An  element  of  the  cost  of  an  acquired  aircraft  is  attributed  on  acquisition  to  its  service  potential, 
reflecting  the  maintenance  condition  of  its  engines  and  airframe.  This  cost,  which  can  equate  to  a  substantial 
element  of  the  total  aircraft  cost,  is  amortised  over  the  shorter  of  the  period  to  the  next  maintenance  check 
(usually between 8 and 12 years for Boeing 737-800 aircraft) or the remaining life of the aircraft. The costs of 
subsequent major airframe and engine maintenance checks are capitalised and amortised over the shorter of the 
period to the next check or the remaining life of the aircraft. 

Advance and option payments made in respect of aircraft purchase commitments and options to acquire 
aircraft are recorded at cost and separately disclosed within property, plant and equipment. On acquisition of the 
related aircraft, these payments are included as part of the cost of aircraft and are depreciated from that date. 

Rotable  spare  parts  held  by  the  Company  are  classified  as  property,  plant  and  equipment  if  they  are 

expected to be used over more than one period. 

Gains and losses on disposal of items of property, plant and equipment are determined by comparing 
the proceeds from disposal with the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, and are recognised on a 
net basis within other income/(expenses) in profit or loss. 

Aircraft maintenance costs 

The  accounting  for  the  cost  of  providing  major  airframe  and  certain  engine  maintenance  checks  for 

owned aircraft is described in the accounting policy for property, plant and equipment. 

For aircraft held under operating lease agreements, Ryanair is contractually committed to either return 
the  aircraft  in  a  certain  condition  or  to  compensate  the  lessor  based  on  the  actual  condition  of  the  airframe, 
engines and life-limited parts upon return. In order to fulfill such conditions of the  lease,  maintenance, in the 
form  of  major  airframe  overhaul,  engine  maintenance  checks,  and  restitution  of  major  life-limited  parts,  is 
required  to  be  performed  during  the  period  of  the  lease  and  upon  return  of  the  aircraft  to  the  lessor.  The 
estimated  airframe  and  engine  maintenance  costs  and  the  costs  associated  with  the  restitution  of  major  life-
limited parts, are accrued and charged to profit or loss over the lease term for this contractual obligation, based 
on the present value of the estimated future cost of the major airframe overhaul, engine maintenance checks, and 
restitution of major life-limited parts, calculated by reference to the number of hours flown or cycles operated 
during the year. 

Ryanair‘s  aircraft  operating  lease  agreements  typically  have  a  term  of  seven  years,  which  closely 
correlates  with the timing of  heavy  maintenance checks. The  contractual obligation to  maintain and replenish 
aircraft  held  under  operating  lease  exists  independently  of  any  future  actions  within  the  control  of  Ryanair.  
While Ryanair may, in very limited circumstances, sub-lease its aircraft, it remains fully liable to perform all of 
its contractual obligations under the ‗head lease‘ notwithstanding any such sub-leasing. 

All  other  maintenance  costs,  other  than  major  airframe  overhaul,  engine  maintenance  checks,  and 

restitution of major life-limited parts costs associated with leased aircraft, are expensed as incurred. 

156 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intangible assets - landing rights 

Intangible  assets  acquired  are  recognised  to  the  extent  it  is  considered  probable  that  expected  future 
benefits will flow to the Company and the associated costs can be measured reliably. Landing rights acquired as 
part of a business combination are capitalised at fair value at that date and are not amortised, where those rights 
are  considered  to  be  indefinite.  The  carrying  values  of  those  rights  are  reviewed  for  impairment  at  each 
reporting  date  and  are  subject  to  impairment  testing  when  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that 
carrying  values  may  not  be  recoverable.  No  impairment  to  the  carrying  values  of  the  Company‘s  intangible 
assets has been recorded to date. 

Available-for-sale securities 

The  Company  holds  certain  equity  securities,  which  are  classified  as  available-for-sale,  and  are 
measured  at  fair  value,  less  incremental  direct  costs,  on  initial  recognition.  Such  securities  are  classified  as 
available-for-sale,  rather  than  as  an  investment  in  an  associate  if  the  Company  does  not  have  the  power  to 
exercise significant influence over the investee. Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at fair value 
and changes therein, other than impairment losses, are recognised in other comprehensive income and reflected 
in shareholders‘ equity in the consolidated balance sheet. Fair value losses, subsequent to any impairments are 
recognised in other comprehensive income against net cumulative gains in the reserve.  Fair value losses below 
the  impaired value are recognised in  the income  statement.  The fair  values of available-for-sale securities are 
determined by reference to quoted prices in active  markets at each reporting date. When an investment is de-
recognised the cumulative gain or loss in other comprehensive income is transferred to the income statement.  

Such securities are considered to be impaired if there is objective evidence which indicates that events 
have occurred that can reasonably be expected to adversely affect the future cash flows of the securities, such 
that the future cash flows do not support the current fair value of the securities. This includes where there is a 
significant  or  prolonged  decline  in  the  fair  value  below  its  cost.  All  impairment  losses  are  recognised  in  the 
income statement and any cumulative loss in respect of an available-for-sale asset recognised previously in other 
comprehensive income is also transferred to the income statement. 

Other financial assets 

Other financial assets (other than available-for-sale financial assets) comprise cash deposits of greater 
than three months‘ maturity. All amounts are categorised as loans and receivables and are carried initially at fair 
value and then subsequently at amortised cost, using the effective interest method in the balance sheet. 

Derivative financial instruments 

Ryanair  is  exposed  to  market  risks  relating  to  fluctuations  in  commodity  prices,  interest  rates  and 
currency  exchange  rates.  The  objective  of  financial  risk  management  at  Ryanair  is  to  minimise  the  impact  of 
commodity  price,  interest  rate  and  foreign  exchange  rate  fluctuations  on  the  Company‘s  earnings,  cash  flows 
and equity. 

To  manage  these  risks,  Ryanair  uses  various  derivative  financial  instruments,  including  interest  rate 
swaps, foreign currency forward contracts and commodity contracts. These derivative financial instruments are 
generally held to maturity. The Company enters into these arrangements with the goal of hedging its operational 
and balance sheet risk. However, Ryanair‘s exposure to commodity price, interest rate and currency exchange 
rate fluctuations cannot be neutralised completely. 

Derivative financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, 
derivative financial instruments continue to be re-measured to fair value, and changes therein are accounted for 
as described below. 

The  fair  value  of  interest  rate  swaps  is  computed  by  discounting  the  projected  cash  flows  on  the 
Company‘s swap arrangements to present value using an appropriate market rate of interest. The fair value of 
forward  foreign exchange contracts and commodity  contracts is determined based on the  present value of the 
quoted forward price. Recognition of any resultant gain or loss depends on the nature of the item being hedged. 

157 

 
 
Where  a  derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a 
recognised asset or liability or a highly probable forecasted transaction, the effective part of any gain or loss on 
the  derivative  financial  instrument  is  recognised  in  other  comprehensive  income  (in  the  cash  flow  hedging 
reserve  on  the  balance  sheet).  When  the  hedged  forecasted  transaction  results  in  the  recognition  of  a  non-
financial  asset  or  liability,  the  cumulative  gain  or  loss  is  removed  from  other  comprehensive  income  and 
included in the initial measurement of that asset or liability.  Otherwise the cumulative gain or loss is removed 
from  other  comprehensive  income  and  recognised  in  the  income  statement  at  the  same  time  as  the  hedged 
transaction.  The  ineffective  part  of  any  hedging  transaction  and  the  gain  or  loss  thereon  is  recognised  in  the 
income statement immediately. 

When a hedging instrument or hedge relationship is terminated but the underlying hedged transaction is 
still expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss at that point remains in other comprehensive income and is 
recognised  in  accordance  with  the  above  policy  when  the  transaction  occurs.  If  the  hedged  transaction  is  no 
longer expected to take place, the cumulative unrealised gain or loss recognised in other comprehensive income 
is recognised in the income statement immediately. 

Where  a  derivative  financial  instrument  hedges  the  changes  in  fair  value  of  a  recognised  asset  or 
liability or an unrecognised firm commitment, any gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognised in the 
income statement. The hedged item is also stated at fair value in respect of the risk being hedged, with any gain 
or loss also being recognised in the income statement. 

Inventories 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is based on invoiced price on 
an average basis for all stock categories. Net realisable value is calculated as the estimated selling price arising 
in the ordinary course of business, net of estimated selling costs. 

Trade and other receivables and payables 

Trade  and  other  receivables  and  payables  are  stated  on  initial  recognition  at  fair  value  plus  any 
incremental direct costs and subsequently at amortised cost, net (in the case of receivables) of any impairment 
losses, which approximates fair value given the short-dated nature of these assets and liabilities. 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash  represents  cash  held  at  banks  and  available  on  demand,  and  is  categorised  for  measurement 

purposes as ―loans and receivables.‖ 

Cash equivalents are current asset investments (other than cash) that are readily convertible into known 
amounts of cash, typically cash deposits of more than one day but less than three months at the date of purchase. 
Deposits with maturities greater than three months are recognised as short-term investments, are categorised as 
loans and receivables and are carried initially at  fair  value  and then  subsequently at amortised cost,  using the 
effective-interest method. 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 

All loans and borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, being the fair value of the consideration 
received,  net  of  attributable  transaction  costs.  Subsequent  to  initial  recognition,  non-current  interest-bearing 
loans are measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest yield methodology. 

Leases 

Leases under which the Company assumes substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are 
classified as finance leases. Assets held under finance leases are capitalised in the balance sheet, at an amount 
equal to the lower of their fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments, and are depreciated 
over  their  estimated  useful  lives.  The  present  values  of  the  future  lease  payments  are  recorded  as  obligations 
under finance leases and the interest element of a lease obligation is charged to the income statement over the 
period of the lease in proportion to the balances outstanding. 

158 

 
Other leases are operating leases and the associated leased assets are not recognised on the Company‘s 
balance sheet.  Expenditure arising under operating leases is charged to the income statement as incurred. The 
Company also enters into sale-and-leaseback transactions whereby it sells the rights to an aircraft to an external 
party and subsequently leases the aircraft back, by way of an operating lease. Any profit or loss on the disposal 
where the price achieved is not considered to be at fair value is spread over the period during which the asset is 
expected  to  be  used.  The  profit  or  loss  amount  deferred  is  included  within  ―other  creditors‖  and  divided  into 
components of greater than and less than one year. 

Provisions and contingencies 

A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when there is a present legal or constructive obligation 
as a result of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefit will be required to settle the 
obligation. If the effect is  material, provisions are  determined by discounting the expected future outflow at a 
pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, when appropriate, the risks 
specific to the liability. 

The  Company  assesses  the  likelihood  of  any  adverse  outcomes  to  contingencies,  including  legal 
matters,  as  well  as  probable  losses.  We  record  provisions  for  such  contingencies  when  it  is  probable  that  a 
liability  will  be  incurred  and  the  amount  of  the  loss  can  be  reasonably  estimated.  A  contingent  liability  is 
disclosed where the existence of the obligation will only be confirmed by future events, or where the amount of 
the obligation cannot be measured with reasonable reliability. Provisions are re-measured at each balance sheet 
date based on the best estimate of the settlement amount. 

In  relation  to  legal  matters,  we  develop  estimates  in  consultation  with  internal  and  external  legal 
counsel taking into account the relevant facts and circumstances known to us. The factors that we consider in 
developing our legal provisions include the  merits and jurisdiction of the litigation, the  nature and  number of 
other similar current and past litigation cases, the nature of the subject matter of the litigation, the likelihood of 
settlement and current state of settlement discussions, if any. 

Segment reporting 

Operating  segments  are  reported  in  a  manner  consistent  with  the  internal  organisational  and 
management  structure  and  the  internal  reporting  information  provided  to  the  chief  operating  decision  maker, 
who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of operating segments.  The Company is 
managed as a single business unit that provides low fares airline-related services, including scheduled services, 
and ancillary services including car hire services, and internet and other related services to third parties, across a 
European route network.   

Income statement classification and presentation 

Individual  income  statement  captions  have  been  presented  on  the  face  of  the  income  statement, 
together  with  additional  line  items,  headings  and  sub-totals,  where  it  is  determined  that  such  presentation  is 
relevant to an understanding of our financial performance, in accordance with IAS 1, ―Presentation of Financial 
Statements‖. 

Expenses are classified and presented in accordance with the nature-of-expenses method. We disclose 
separately on the face of the income statement, within other income and expense, losses on the impairment of 
available-for-sale financial assets and gains or losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment. The nature 
of the Company‘s available-for-sale asset is that of a financial investment; accordingly any impairment of the 
investment is categorised as finance expense and included in other income/(expense) as a separate line item. The 
presentation of gains or losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment within other income/(expense) 
accords with industry practice.  

159 

 
 
 
Revenues 

Scheduled revenues comprise the invoiced value of airline and other services, net of government taxes. 
Revenue  from  the  sale  of  flight  seats  is  recognised  in  the  period  in  which  the  service  is  provided.  Unearned 
revenue  represents  flight  seats  sold  but  not  yet  flown  and  a  provision  for  government  tax  refund  claims 
attributable  to  unused  tickets,  and  is  included  in  accrued  expenses  and  other  liabilities.  Revenue,  net  of 
government  taxes,  is  released  to  the  income  statement  as  passengers  fly.  Unused  tickets  are  recognised  as 
revenue on a systematic basis, such that twelve months of time expired revenues are recognised in revenue in 
each  fiscal  year.  Miscellaneous  fees  charged  for  any  changes  to  flight  tickets  are  recognised  in  revenue 
immediately. 

During  the  year  ended  March  31,  2012,  changes  in  estimates  relating  to  the  timing  of  revenue 
recognition for unused passenger tickets were made, resulting in increased revenue of €65.3 million (fiscal year 
2014:Nil, 2013:Nil). This change reflects more accurate and timely data obtained through system enhancements. 

Ancillary  revenues  are  recognised  in  the  income  statement  in  the  period  the  ancillary  services  are 

provided. 

Share-based payments 

The  Company  engages  in  equity-settled,  share-based  payment  transactions  in  respect  of  services 
received from certain of its employees. The fair value of the services received is measured by reference to the 
fair  value  of  the  share  options  on  the  date  of  the  grant.  The  grant  measurement  date  is  the  date  that  a  shared 
understanding of the terms of the award is established between the Company and the employee. The cost of the 
employee services received in respect of the share options granted is recognised in the income statement over 
the period that the services are received, which is the vesting period, with a corresponding increase in equity. To 
the  extent  that  service  is  provided  prior  to  the  grant  measurement  date,  the  fair  value  of  the  share  options  is 
initially estimated and re-measured at each balance sheet date until the grant measurement date is achieved. The 
fair value of the options granted is determined using a binomial lattice option-pricing model, which takes into 
account the exercise price of the option, the current share price, the risk-free interest rate, the expected volatility 
of the Ryanair Holdings plc share price over the life of the option and other relevant factors. Non-market vesting 
conditions  are  taken  into  account  by  adjusting  the  number  of  shares  or  share  options  included  in  the 
measurement of the cost of employee services so that ultimately, the amount recognised in the income statement 
reflects the number of vested shares or share options. 

Pensions and other post-retirement obligations 

The Company provides certain employees  with post-retirement benefits in the form of  pensions. The 
Company  currently  operates  a  number  of  defined  contribution  schemes  and  a  small  defined  benefit  pension 
scheme in the U.K. 

Costs  arising  in  respect  of  the  Company‘s  defined  contribution  pension  schemes  (where  fixed 
contributions are paid into the scheme and there is no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts) 
are charged to the income statement in the period in which they are incurred. Any contributions unpaid at the 
balance sheet date are included as a liability. 

A defined benefit plan is a post-employment benefit plan other than a defined-contribution plan. The 
liabilities and costs associated with the Company‘s defined benefit pension scheme are assessed on the basis of 
the  projected  unit  credit  method  by  professionally  qualified  actuaries  and  are  arrived  at  using  actuarial 
assumptions  based  on  market  expectations  at  the  balance  sheet  date.  The  net  obligation  in  respect  of  defined 
benefit  schemes  is  calculated  separately  for  each  plan  by  estimating  the  amount  of  future  benefits  that 
employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods.  That benefit is discounted to 
determine  its  present  value  and  the  fair  value  of  any  plan  asset  is  deducted.  The  discount  rates  employed  in 
determining the present  value of each  scheme‘s liabilities  are determined by reference to  market  yields at the 
balance sheet date of high quality corporate bonds in the same currency and term that is consistent with those of 
the associated pension obligations. The net surplus or deficit arising on the Company‘s defined-benefit scheme 
is  shown  within  non-current  assets  or  liabilities  on  the  balance  sheet.  The  deferred  tax  impact  of  any  such 
amount is disclosed separately within deferred tax. 

160 

 
Re-measurements,  comprising  actuarial  gains  and  losses  and  the  return  on  plan  assets  (excluding  net 
interest),  are  recognised  immediately  in  the  balance  sheet  with  a  corresponding  debit  or  credit  to  retained 
earnings through other comprehensive income in the period in which they occur. 

Taxation 

Income tax on the profit or loss for a year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised 
in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income 
(such  as  certain  hedging  derivative  financial  instruments,  available-for-sale  assets,  pensions  and  other  post-
retirement obligations). Current tax payable on taxable profits is recognised as an expense in the period in which 
the profits arise using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. 

Deferred  income  tax  is  provided  in  full,  using  the  balance  sheet  liability  method,  on  temporary 
differences  arising  from  the  tax  bases  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  carrying  amounts  in  the  consolidated 
financial statements. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates and legislation enacted or substantively 
enacted by the balance sheet date and expected to apply when the temporary differences reverse. 

The  following  temporary  differences  are  not  provided  for:  (i)  the  initial  recognition  of  assets  and 
liabilities  that  effect  neither  accounting  nor  taxable  profit  and  (ii)  differences  relating  to  investments  in 
subsidiaries to the extent that it is probable they will not reverse in the future.  

A  deferred  tax  asset  is  recognised  to  the  extent  that  it  is  probable  that  future  taxable  profits  will  be 
available against which temporary differences can be utilised. The carrying amounts of deferred tax assets are 
reviewed  at  each  balance  sheet  date  and  reduced  to  the  extent  that  it  is  no  longer  probable  that  a  sufficient 
taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be realised. 

Social insurance, passenger taxes and sales taxes are recorded as a liability based on laws enacted in 

the jurisdictions to which they relate.  Liabilities are recorded when an obligation has been incurred. 

Tax liabilities are based on the best estimate of the likely obligation at each reporting period.  These 
estimates are subject to revision based on the outcome of tax audits and discussions with revenue authorities that 
can take several years to conclude. 

Share capital 

Ordinary  shares  are  classified  as  equity.  Incremental  costs  directly  attributable  to  the  issuance  of 
ordinary shares and share options are recognised as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects. When share 
capital  recognised  as  equity  is  repurchased,  the  amount  of  consideration  paid,  which  includes  any  directly 
attributable  costs,  net  of  any  tax  effects,  is  recognised  as  a  deduction  from  equity.  Repurchased  shares  are 
classified as treasury shares and are presented as a deduction from total equity, until they are cancelled.  

Prospective accounting changes, new standards and interpretations not yet adopted 

The  following  new  or  revised  IFRS  standards  and  IFRIC  interpretations  will  be  adopted  from  their 
effective dates for the purposes of the preparation of future financial statements, where applicable.  We do not 
anticipate that the adoption of these new or revised standards and interpretations will have a material impact on 
our financial position or results from operations. 

 

 

 

IAS  32  (amendment),  “Financial  instruments:  Presentation-offsetting  financial  assets  and  financial 
liabilities” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014).* 

IAS 39 (amendment), ―Novation of Derivatives and Continuation of Hedge Accounting‖ (effective for 
fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014).* 

IAS  19  (amendment),  ―Defined  Benefit  Plans:  Employee  Contributions”  (effective  for  fiscal  periods 
beginning on or after July 1, 2014). 

161 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

IFRIC 21, ―Levies‖ (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014).* 

IFRS  9,  “Financial  Instruments”  (2009,  as  amended  in  2011  and  2013)  (effective  date  to  be 
determined). 

 ―Improvements to IFRSs‖. 2010-2012 Cycle (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after July 1, 
2014). 

―Improvements to IFRSs‖. 2011-2013 Cycle (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after July 1, 
2014). 

IFRS 14, “Regulators Deferral Accounts” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 
2016).  

  Amendments  to  IAS  16  and  IAS  38:  “Clarification  of  Acceptable  Methods  of  Depreciation  and 

Amortisation” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016). 

 

Amendments to IFRS 11: “Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations” (effective for 
fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016). 

  Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 41: ―Agriculture: Bearer Plants‖ (effective for fiscal periods beginning 

on or after January 1, 2016). 

 

IAS 15, ―Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2017). 

* Adopted by the EU (IASB effective date in brackets). 

162 

 
 
 
 
2 

Property, plant and equipment  

Aircraft 
€M 

Hangar and 
Buildings 
€M 

Plant and 
Equipment 
€M 

Fixtures 
and 
Fittings 
€M 

Motor 
Vehicles 
€M 

Total 
€M 

Year ended March 31, 2014 
Cost 

At March 31, 2013 ........................................  
Additions in year ..........................................  
Disposals in year ...........................................  
At March 31, 2014 ........................................  

6,409.6 
490.5 
(84.4) 
6,815.7 

Depreciation 

At March 31, 2013 ........................................  
Charge for year .............................................  
Eliminated on disposal ..................................  
At March 31, 2014 ........................................  

1,555.1 
343.9 
(84.4) 
1,814.6 

Net book value 

At March 31, 2014 ........................................  

5,001.1 

58.8 
8.5 
- 
67.3 

15.7 
2.6 
- 
18.3 

49.0 

23.2 
3.4 
- 
26.6 

19.3 
2.2 
- 
21.5 

5.1 

33.2 
3.3 
- 
36.5 

28.6 
3.0 
- 
31.6 

4.9 

2.3 
0.1 
- 
2.4 

2.1 
0.1 
- 
2.2 

0.2 

6,527.1 
505.8 
(84.4) 
6,948.5 

1,620.8 
351.8 
(84.4) 
1,888.2 

5,060.3 

Aircraft 
€M 

Hangar and 
Buildings 
€M 

Plant and 
Equipment 
€M 

Fixtures 
and 
Fittings 
€M 

Motor 
Vehicles 
€M 

Total 
€M 

Year ended March 31, 2013 
Cost 

At March 31, 2012 ........................................  
Additions in year ..........................................  
Disposals in year ...........................................  
At March 31, 2013 ........................................  

6,158.3 
293.4 
(42.1) 
6,409.6 

Depreciation 

At March 31, 2012 ........................................  
Charge for year .............................................  
Eliminated on disposal ..................................  
At March 31, 2013 ........................................  

1,275.9 
321.3 
(42.1) 
1,555.1 

Net book value 

At March 31, 2013 ........................................  

4,854.5 

46.8 
12.0 
- 
58.8 

13.4 
2.3 
- 
15.7 

43.1 

20.8 
2.4 
- 
23.2 

17.1 
2.2 
- 
19.3 

3.9 

30.5 
2.8 
(0.1) 
33.2 

25.0 
3.7 
(0.1) 
28.6 

2.3 
0.1 
(0.1) 
2.3 

2.1 
0.1 
(0.1) 
2.1 

6,258.7 
310.7 
(42.3) 

6,527.1                                                                                                                             

1,333.5 
329.6 
(42.3) 
1,620.8 

4.6 

0.2 

4,906.3 

Aircraft 
€M 

Hangar and 
Buildings 
€M 

Plant and 
Equipment 
€M 

Fixtures 
and 
Fittings 
€M 

Motor 
Vehicles 
€M 

Total 
€M 

Year ended March 31, 2012 
Cost 

At March 31, 2011 ........................................  
Additions in year ..........................................  
Disposals in year ...........................................  
At March 31, 2012 ........................................  

5,953.2 
312.3 
(107.2) 
6,158.3 

Depreciation 

At March 31, 2011 ........................................  
Charge for year .............................................  
Eliminated on disposal ..................................  
At March 31, 2012 ........................................  

1,065.1 
301.1 
(90.3) 
1,275.9 

Net book value 

At March 31, 2012 ........................................  

4,882.4 

19.1 
1.7 
- 
20.8 

14.8 
2.3 
- 
17.1 

3.7 

46.6 
0.2 
- 
46.8 

11.1 
2.3 
- 
13.4 

33.4 

163 

27.2 
3.3 
- 
30.5 

21.6 
3.4 
- 
25.0 

5.5 

2.2 
0.1 
- 
2.3 

2.0 
0.1 
- 
2.1 

0.2 

6,048.3 
317.6 
(107.2) 
6,258.7 

1,114.6 
309.2 
(90.3) 
1,333.5 

4,925.2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At March 31, 2014, aircraft with a net book value of €4,471.1 million (2013: €4,663.0 million; 2012: 

€4,856.0 million) were mortgaged to lenders as security for loans. Under the security arrangements for the 
Company‘s new Boeing 737-800 ―next generation‖ aircraft, the Company does not hold legal title to those 
aircraft while these loan amounts remain outstanding. 

At March 31, 2014, the cost and net book value of aircraft included advance payments on aircraft of 
€282.1 million (2013: Nil; 2012: €110.5 million).  Such amounts, where present, are not depreciated. The cost 
and  net  book  value  also  includes  capitalised  aircraft  maintenance,  aircraft  simulators  and  the  stock  of  rotable 
spare parts. 

The net book value of assets held under finance leases at March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was €559.0 

million, €582.9 million, and €607.5 million respectively. 

3 

Intangible assets 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Landing rights ...........................................................................................................   46.8 

46.8 

46.8 

Landing  slots  were  acquired  with  the  acquisition  of  Buzz  Stansted  Limited  in  April  2003.  As  these 
landing  slots  have  no  expiry  date  and  are  expected  to  be  used  in  perpetuity,  they  are  considered  to  be  of 
indefinite  life  and  accordingly  are  not  amortised.  The  Company  also  considers  that  there  has  been  no 
impairment of the value of these rights to date. The recoverable amount of these rights has been determined on a 
value-in-use basis,  using discounted cash-flow projections  for a twenty-year period for  each route that has an 
individual landing right. The calculation of value-in-use is most sensitive to the operating margin and discount 
rate assumptions. Operating margins are based on the existing margins generated from these routes and adjusted 
for  any  known  trading  conditions.  The  trading  environment  is  subject  to  both  regulatory  and  competitive 
pressures  that  can  have  a  material  effect  on  the  operating  performance  of  the  business.  Foreseeable  events, 
however, are unlikely to result in a change of projections of a significant nature so as to result in the landing 
rights‘ carrying amounts exceeding their recoverable amounts. These projections have been discounted based on 
the estimated discount rate applicable to the asset of 5.3% for 2014, 7.0% for 2013, and 7.7% for 2012. 

4 

Available-for-sale financial assets 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Investment in Aer Lingus .........................................................................................  260.3 

221.2 

149.7 

As at March 31, 2014 Ryanair‘s total percentage shareholding in Aer Lingus was 29.8% (2013: 29.8%; 
2012: 29.8%). The balance sheet value of €260.3 million (2013: €221.2 million; 2012: €149.7 million) reflects 
the market value of this investment as at March 31, 2014. In accordance with the Company‘s accounting policy, 
this asset is held at fair value with a corresponding adjustment to other comprehensive income following initial 
acquisition. Any impairment losses that arise are recognised in the income statement and are not subsequently 
reversed.    Any  cumulative  loss  previously  recognised  in  other  comprehensive  income  is  transferred  to  the 
income statement once an impairment is considered to have occurred.  

The  movement  on  the  available  for  sale  financial  asset  from  €221.2  million  at  March  31,  2013  to 
€260.3  million  at  March  31,  2014  is  comprised  of  a  gain  of  €39.1  million,  recognised  through  other 
comprehensive income, reflecting the increase in the share price of Aer Lingus from €1.39 per share at March 
31, 2013 to approximately €1.64 per share at March 31, 2014.  

164 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This investment is classified as available-for-sale, rather than as an investment in an associate, because 
the  Company  does  not  have  control  or  the  power  to  exercise  ―material  influence‖  over  the  entity.  The 
Company's  determination  that  it  does  not  have  control,  or  even  exercise  a  ―significant  influence‖  over  Aer 
Lingus through its minority shareholding has been based on the following factors, in particular:  

  Ryanair does not have any representation on the Aer Lingus Board of Directors, nor does it have a right to 

appoint a director;  

  Ryanair does not participate in Aer Lingus‘ policy-making decisions, nor does it have a right to participate 

in such policy-making decisions;  

  There are  no material transactions between Ryanair and  Aer Lingus, there is  no interchange of personnel 

between the two companies and there is no sharing of technical information between the companies;  

  Aer  Lingus and its  significant shareholder (the Irish government: 25.1%)  have openly opposed Ryanair‘s 

investment or participation in the company; 

 

In August 2007, September 2007 and November/December 2011, Aer Lingus refused Ryanair‘s attempt to 
assert its statutory right to requisition a general meeting (a legal right of any 10% shareholder under Irish 
law);   

  On April 15, 2011, the High Court in Dublin ruled that Aer Lingus was not obliged to accede to Ryanair‘s 
request that two additional resolutions (on the payment of a dividend and on payments to pension schemes) 
be put to vote at Aer Lingus‘ annual general meeting;  

  The  European  Commission  has  formally  found  that  Ryanair‘s  shareholding  in  Aer  Lingus  does  not  grant 
Ryanair ―de jure or de facto control of Aer Lingus‖ and that ―Ryanair‘s rights as a minority shareholder are 
associated exclusively to rights related to the protection of minority  shareholders‖ (Commission Decision 
Case  No.  COMP/M.4439  dated  October  11,  2007).  The  European  Commission‘s  finding  has  been 
confirmed  by  the  European  Union's  General  Court  which  issued  a  decision  on  July  6,  2010  that  the 
European  Commission  was  justified  to  use  the  required  legal  and  factual  standard  in  its  refusal  to  order 
Ryanair  to  divest  its  minority  shareholding  in  Aer  Lingus  and  that,  as  part  of  that  decision,  Ryanair‘s 
shareholding did not confer control of Aer Lingus (Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) Case 
No. T-411/07 dated July 6, 2010); and 

  On  February  27,  2013  the  European  Commission  prohibited  Ryanair‘s  bid  made  on  June  19,  2012,  to 
acquire the entire share capital of Aer Lingus on the claimed basis that it would be incompatible with the 
EU  internal  market.    Ryanair  appealed  this  decision  to  the  EU  General  Court  on  May  8,  2013.  The 
judgment  of  the  EU  General  Court  is  expected  in  2015  and  may  affirm  or  annul  the  decision  of  the 
European Commission. 

Following the European Commission‘s decision to prohibit its offer for Aer Lingus, Ryanair actively 
engaged with the Competition Commission‘s investigation of the minority stake. On August 28, 2013, the UK 
Competition Commission (UKCC) issued its final decision in which it found that Ryanair‘s shareholding ―gave 
it  the  ability  to  exercise  material  influence  over  Aer  Lingus‖  and  ―had  led,  or  may  be  expected  to  lead,  to  a 
substantial  lessening  of  competition  in  the  markets  for  air  passenger  services  between  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland‖.  As  a  result  of  its  findings,  the  UKCC  ordered  Ryanair  to  reduce  its  shareholding  in  Aer  Lingus  to 
below  5  per  cent  of  Aer  Lingus‘  issued  ordinary  shares.    Ryanair  appealed  the  UKCC‘s  final  decision  to  the 
Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) on September 23, 2013. The CAT rejected Ryanair‘s appeal on March 7, 
2014.  On  April  3,  2014,  Ryanair  applied  for  permission  to  appeal  the  CAT‘s  judgment  to  the  UK  Court  of 
Appeal. Should Ryanair‘s permission to appeal, the appeal itself or any subsequent appeal to the UK Supreme 
Court be refused, Ryanair could suffer losses due to the negative impact on market prices of the forced sale of 
such  a  significant  portion  of  Aer  Lingus‘  shares.  Ryanair  believes  that  the  enforcement  of  any  such  decision 
should  be  delayed  until  the  outcome  of  Ryanair‘s  appeal  against  the  European  Commission‘s  February  2013 
prohibition  decision  of  Ryanair‘s  2012  offer  for  Aer  Lingus,  and  the  conclusion  of  any  appeals  against  the 
UKCC‘s decision in the UK courts. However, it is possible that the UKCC will seek to enforce any such sell-
down remedy at an earlier date.   

165 

 
 
 
5 

Derivative financial instruments 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has responsibility for monitoring the treasury policies 
and objectives of the Company, which include controls over the procedures used to manage the main financial 
risks  arising  from  the  Company‘s  operations.  Such  risks  comprise  commodity  price,  foreign  exchange  and 
interest rate risks. The Company uses financial instruments to manage exposures arising from these risks. These 
instruments  include  borrowings,  cash  deposits  and  derivatives  (principally  jet  fuel  derivatives,  interest  rate 
swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts). It is the Company‘s policy 
that no speculative trading in financial instruments takes place. 

The Company‘s historical fuel risk management policy has been to hedge between 70% and 90% of the 
forecast rolling annual volumes required to ensure that the future cost per gallon of fuel is locked in. This policy 
was adopted to prevent the Company being exposed, in the short term, to adverse movements in global jet fuel 
prices. However, when deemed to be in the best interests of the Company, it may deviate from this policy. At 
March 31, 2014, the Company had hedged approximately 90% of its estimated fuel exposure for the year ending 
March  31,  2015.  At  March  31,  2013,  the  Company  had  hedged  approximately  90%  of  its  estimated  fuel 
exposure for the year ending March 31, 2014. At March 31, 2012, the Company had hedged approximately 90% 
of its estimated fuel exposure for the year ending March 31, 2013.  

Foreign currency risk in relation to the Company‘s trading operations largely arises in relation to non-
euro currencies. These currencies are primarily U.K. pounds sterling and the U.S. dollar. The Company manages 
this risk by  matching U.K. pounds  sterling revenues against U.K. pounds  sterling costs. Surplus U.K. pounds 
sterling revenues are sometimes used to fund forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge U.S. dollar currency 
exposures that arise in relation to fuel, maintenance, aviation insurance, and capital expenditure costs and excess 
U.K.  pounds  sterling  are  converted  into  euro.  Additionally,  the  Company  swaps  euro  for  U.S.  dollars  using 
forward currency contracts to cover any expected U.S. dollar outflows for these costs. From time to time, the 
Company also swaps euro for U.K. pounds sterling using forward currency contracts to hedge expected future 
surplus U.K. pounds sterling. From time to time the Company also enters into cross-currency interest rate swaps 
to hedge against fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates in respect of U.S. dollar denominated 
borrowings. 

The  Company‘s  objective  for  interest  rate  risk  management  is  to  reduce  interest-rate  risk  through  a 
combination  of  financial  instruments,  which  lock  in  interest  rates  on  debt  and  by  matching  a  proportion  of 
floating  rate  assets  with  floating  rate  liabilities.  In  addition,  the  Company  aims  to  achieve  the  best  available 
return on investments of surplus cash – subject to credit risk and liquidity constraints. Credit risk is managed by 
limiting the aggregate  amount and duration of exposure to any one counterparty based on third-party  market-
based  ratings.  In  line  with  the  above  interest  rate  risk  management  strategy,  the  Company  has  entered  into  a 
series  of  interest  rate  swaps  to  hedge  against  fluctuations  in  interest  rates  for  certain  floating  rate  financial 
arrangements  and  certain  other  obligations.  The  Company  has  also  entered  into  floating  rate  financing  for 
certain aircraft,  which is matched with floating rate deposits. Additionally, certain cash deposits have been set 
aside  as  collateral  for  the  counterparty‘s  exposure  to  risk  of  fluctuations  on  certain  derivative  and  other 
financing  arrangements  with  Ryanair  (restricted  cash).  At  March  31,  2014,  such  restricted  cash  amounted  to 
€13.3 million (2013: €24.7 million; 2012: €35.1 million). Additional numerical information on these swaps and 
on  other  derivatives  held  by  the  Company  is  set  out  below  and  in  Note  11  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements.  

The  Company  utilises  a  range  of  derivatives  designed  to  mitigate  these  risks.  All  of  the  above 
derivatives  have  been  accounted  for  at  fair  value  in  the  Company‘s  balance  sheet  and  have  been  utilised  to 
hedge  against  these  particular  risks  arising  in  the  normal  course  of  the  Company‘s  business.  All  have  been 
designated as hedging derivatives for the purposes of IAS 39 and are fully set out below.  

166 

 
 
 
Derivative  financial  instruments,  all  of  which  have  been  recognised  at  fair  value  in  the  Company‘s 

balance sheet, are analysed as follows: 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Non-current assets 
Gains on cash-flow hedging instruments – maturing within one year .................................................  

0.4 
0.4 

Current assets 
Gains on cash flow hedging instruments – maturing after one year .....................................................  

16.7 
16.7 

Total derivative assets .......................................................................................................................  

17.1 

Current liabilities 
Losses on cash flow hedging instruments – maturing within one year ................................................  

(95.4) 
(95.4) 

Non-current liabilities 
Losses on cash flow hedging instruments – maturing after one year ...................................................  

Total derivative liabilities ..................................................................................................................  

Net derivative financial instrument position at year-end  ..............................................................  

(121.5) 

All of the above gains and losses were unrealised at the period-end. 

The table above includes the following derivative arrangements: 

(43.2) 
(43.2) 
(138.6) 

5.1 
5.1 

78.1 
78.1 

83.2 

(31.8) 
(31.8) 

(50.1) 
(50.1) 
(81.9) 

1.3 

3.3 
3.3 

231.9 
231.9 

235.2 

(28.2) 
(28.2) 

(53.6) 
(53.6) 
(81.8) 

153.4 

Interest rate swaps (a) 
Less than one year (b)...……………………………………………….. 
Between one and five years…………………………………………… 
After five years…………………………………………………..……. 

Foreign currency forward contracts (a) 
Less than one year………………………………………..……………. 
Between one and five years………………………………...………….. 
After five years……………………………………………………...…. 

Commodity forward contracts (c) 
Less than one year………………………………………..……………. 
Between one and five years………………………………...………….. 

Net derivative position at year end…………..……………………… 

Fair value 
2014 
€M 

Fair value 
2013 
€M 

Fair value 
2012 
€M 

(31.0) 
(40.9) 
(0.5) 
(72.4) 

(64.4) 
(0.7) 
(1.1) 
(66.2) 

16.7 
0.4 
17.1 
(121.5) 

(31.8) 
(49.9) 
(0.2) 
(81.9) 

42.3 
5.1 
- 
47.4 

35.8 
- 
35.8 
1.3 

(26.7) 
(53.8) 
0.2 
(80.3) 

86.1 
3.0 
0.3 
89.4 

144.3 
- 
144.3 
153.4 

(a)  Additional information in relation to the above interest rate swaps and forward currency contracts (i.e. notional value 

and weighted average interest rates) can be found in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements. 

(b)  €31.0  million  interest  rate  swap  financial  liabilities  falling  due  within  one  year,  includes  €8.5  million  derivative 
financial  liabilities,  falling  due within  one  year,  in  respect  of  cross  currency  interest  rate  swaps  (see  Note  11  to  the 
consolidated financial statements). 
€17.1  million  commodity  forward  contracts  relate  solely  to  jet  fuel  derivative  financial  assets  (see  Note  11  of  the 
consolidated financial statements). 

(c) 

167 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps are primarily used to convert a portion of the Company‘s floating rate exposures on 
borrowings and operating leases into fixed rate exposures and are set so as to match exactly the critical terms of 
the underlying debt or lease being hedged (i.e. notional principal, interest rate settings, re-pricing dates). These 
are  all  designated  in  cash-flow  hedges  of  the  forecasted  variable  interest  payments  and  rentals  due  on  the 
Company‘s underlying debt and operating leases and have been determined to be highly effective in achieving 
offsetting  cash  flows.  Accordingly,  no  ineffectiveness  has  been  recorded  in  the  income  statement  relating  to 
these hedges in the current and preceding years. 

The  Company  also  utilises  cross  currency  interest  rate  swaps  to  manage  exposures  to  fluctuations  in 
foreign  exchange  rates  of  U.S.  dollar  denominated  floating  rate  borrowings,  together  with  managing  the 
exposures  to  fluctuations  in  interest  rates  on  these  U.S.  dollar  denominated  floating  rate  borrowings.  Cross 
currency interest rate swaps are primarily used to convert a portion of the Company‘s U.S. dollar denominated 
debt to euro and floating rate interest exposures into fixed rate exposures and are set so as to match exactly the 
critical terms of the underlying debt being hedged (i.e. notional principal, interest rate settings, re-pricing dates). 
These  are  all  designated  in  cash-flow  hedges  of  the  forecasted  U.S.  dollar  variable  interest  payments  on  the 
Company‘s underlying debt and have been determined to be highly effective in achieving offsetting cash flows. 
Accordingly,  no  ineffectiveness  has  been  recorded  in  the  income  statement  relating  to  these  hedges  in  the 
current year.  

Foreign currency forward contracts may be utilised in a number of ways: forecast U.K.  pounds sterling 
and  euro  revenue  receipts  are  converted  into  U.S.  dollars  to  hedge  against  forecasted  U.S.  dollar  payments 
principally  for  jet  fuel,  insurance,  capital  expenditure  and  other  aircraft  related  costs.  These  are  designated  in  
cash-flow  hedges  of  forecasted  U.S.  dollar  payments  and  have  been  determined  to  be  highly  effective  in 
offsetting variability in future cash flows arising from the fluctuation in the U.S. dollar to U.K. pounds sterling 
and euro exchange rates  for the forecasted U.S. dollar purchases. Because the timing of anticipated payments 
and the settlement of the related derivatives is very closely coordinated, no ineffectiveness has been recorded for 
these  foreign  currency  forward  contracts  in  the  current  or  preceding  years  (the  underlying  hedged  items  and 
hedging instruments have been consistently closely matched).  

The Company also utilises jet fuel forward contracts to manage exposure to jet fuel prices. These are 
used to hedge the Company‘s forecasted fuel purchases, and are arranged so as to match as closely as possible 
against  forecasted  fuel  delivery  and  payment  requirements.  These  are  designated  in  cash-flow  hedges  of 
forecasted fuel payments and have been determined to be highly effective in offsetting variability in future cash 
flows arising from fluctuations in jet fuel prices. No ineffectiveness has been recorded on these arrangements in 
the current or preceding years.  

The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) began operating for airlines on January 1,  
2012. In order to manage  the risks associated  with the fluctuation  in the price  of carbon  emission credits, the 
Company entered into swap  arrangements to  fix the  cost  of a portion of  its forecasted  carbon emission credit 
purchases.  The  Company  can  forecast  its  requirement  for  carbon  credits  as  they  are  directly  linked  to  its 
consumption of jet fuel. These instruments have been designated in cash-flow hedges and no ineffectiveness has 
been recorded in the current year. 

The  (gains)/losses  on  the  aircraft  firm  commitments  are  recognised  as  part  of  the  capitalised  cost  of 
aircraft additions,  within  property, plant and equipment.  The  (gains)/losses on interest rate swaps, commodity 
forward contracts and forward currency contracts (excluding aircraft firm commitments) are recognised in the 
income statement when the hedged transaction occurs.  

168 

 
 
 
The following table indicates the amounts that were reclassified from other comprehensive income into 
the income statement, analysed by income statement category, in respect of cash-flow hedges realised during the 
year:  

Year ended March 31,  

2014 
€M 

2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Commodity forward contracts 
Reclassification adjustments for losses/(gains) recognised in fuel 
0.7 
 and oil operating expenses, net of tax  ..........................................................................  
Interest rate swaps 
Reclassification adjustments for losses recognised 
in finance expense, net of tax ........................................................................................  
24.0 
Foreign currency forward contracts 
Reclassification adjustments for (gains)/losses recognised in fuel 
(0.3) 
and oil operating expenses, net of tax ............................................................................  
24.4 

(38.0) 

(284.2) 

25.9 

22.7 

(2.3) 
(14.4) 

6.5 
(255.0) 

The following table indicates the amounts that were reclassified from other comprehensive income into 
the  capitalised  cost  of  aircraft  additions  within  property,  plant  and  equipment,  in  respect  of  cash-flow  hedges 
realised during the year:  

Foreign currency forward contracts 
Recognised in property plant and equipment – aircraft additions .......  

Year ended March 31,  
2013 
€M 

2014 
€M 

2012 
€M 

(0.1) 
(0.1) 

4.7 
4.7 

(11.1) 
(11.1) 

The  following  tables  indicate  the  periods  in  which  cash  flows  associated  with  derivatives  that  are 

designated as cash-flow hedges were expected to occur, as of March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012: 

At March 31, 2014 
Interest rate swaps ..............................  
U.S. dollar currency forward 
contracts .............................................  
U.K. pounds sterling currency 
forward contracts ................................  
Commodity forward contracts ............  

At March 31, 2013 
Interest rate swaps ..............................  
U.S. dollar currency forward 
contracts .............................................  
Commodity forward contracts ............  

Carrying 
Amount 
€M 

Expected 
Cash 
Flows 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2017 
  €M 

2018 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

(72.4) 

(51.0) 

(22.0) 

(17.6) 

(66.4) 

(66.7) 

(64.6) 

0.3 

0.2 
17.1 
(121.5) 

0.2 
17.1 
(100.4) 

0.2 
16.7 
(69.7) 

- 
0.4 
(16.9) 

(9.2) 

(0.4) 

- 
- 
(9.6) 

(1.6) 

(0.3) 

- 
- 
(1.9) 

(0.6) 

(1.7) 

- 
- 
(2.3) 

Carrying 
Amount 
€M 

Expected 
Cash 
Flows 
€M 

2014 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
  €M 

2017 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

(81.9) 

(72.3) 

(27.1) 

(22.0) 

(14.6) 

47.4 
35.8 
1.3 

48.5 
35.8 
12.0 

42.3 
35.8 
51.0 

1.6 
- 
(20.4) 

1.7 
- 
(12.9) 

(7.3) 

1.8 
- 
(5.5) 

(1.3) 

1.1 
- 
(0.2) 

169 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At March 31, 2012 
Interest rate swaps ..............................  
U.S. dollar currency forward 
contracts .............................................  
Commodity forward contracts ............  

Carrying 
Amount 
€M 

Expected 
Cash 
Flows 
€M 

2013 
€M 

2014 
€M 

2015 
  €M 

2016 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

(80.3) 

(70.5) 

(22.7) 

(23.7) 

(14.4) 

89.4 
144.3 
153.4 

90.1 
144.3 
163.9 

86.0 
144.3 
207.6 

0.9 
- 
(22.8) 

0.9 
- 
(13.5) 

(7.4) 

0.9 
- 
(6.5) 

(2.3) 

1.4 
- 
(0.9) 

Derivative transactions entered into by the Company with  a particular counterparty are not settled net 

and there are no provisions within these agreements to off-set similar transactions. 

The Company entered into a series of interest rate swaps to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates 
for certain floating rate financing of certain aircraft. Cash deposits are required to be set aside as collateral for 
certain  historic  interest  rate  swaps  to  mitigate  the  counterparty‘s  exposure  to  fluctuations  in  the  underlying 
interest rate swaps.  The following table sets out the carrying amounts of recognised financial instruments  that 
are subject to the above agreements: 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Gross financial instruments in the statement of 
financial position  

Derivative financial liabilities 

- 

Interest rate swaps .....................................................................................................................  

(11.0) 

(21.6) 

  Related financial instruments that are not offset 
  -        Restricted Cash .........................................................................................................................  Restricted cash 
   Net amount  

24.7 
3.1 

13.3 
2.3 

(32.1) 

35.1 
3.0 

The following tables indicate the periods in which cash flows associated with derivatives designated as 

cash-flow hedges were expected to impact profit or loss, as of March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:  

At March 31, 2014 
Interest rate swaps ..............................  
U.S. dollar currency forward 
contracts .............................................  
U.S. dollar currency forward 
contracts to be capitalised in 
property plant &               
equipment- aircraft additions..............  
U.K. pounds sterling currency 
forward contracts ................................  
Commodity forward contracts ............  

At March 31, 2013 
Interest rate swaps ..............................  
U.S. dollar currency forward 
contracts .............................................  
Commodity forward contracts ............  

Carrying 
Amount 
€M 

Expected 
Cash 
flows 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2017 
  €M 

2018 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

(72.4) 

(51.0) 

(22.0) 

(17.6) 

(51.4) 

(51.7) 

(50.6) 

1.3 

(9.2) 

(0.4) 

(1.6) 

(0.3) 

(0.6) 

(1.7) 

(15.0) 

(15.0) 

(14.0) 

(1.0) 

0.2 
17.1 

0.2 
17.1 

0.2 
16.7 

- 
0.4 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

(121.5) 

(100.4) 

(69.7) 

(16.9) 

(9.6) 

(1.9) 

(2.3) 

Carrying 
Amount 
€M 

Expected 
Cash 
flows 
€M 

2014 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
  €M 

2017 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

(81.9) 

(72.3) 

(27.1) 

(22.0) 

(14.6) 

47.4 
35.8 

1.3 

48.5 
35.8 

12.0 

42.3 
35.8 

51.0 

1.6 
- 

1.7 
- 

(20.4) 

(12.9) 

(7.3) 

1.8 
- 

(5.5) 

(1.3) 

1.1 
- 

(0.2) 

170 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At March 31, 2012 
Interest rate swaps ..............................  
U.S. dollar currency forward 
contracts .............................................  
U.S. dollar currency forward 
contracts to be capitalised in 
property plant and equipment – 
aircraft additions.................................  
Commodity forward contracts ............  

6 

Inventories 

6.9 
144.3 

153.4 

6.9 
144.3 

163.9 

6.9 
144.3 

207.6 

Carrying 
Amount 
€M 

Expected 
Cash 
flows 
€M 

2013 
€M 

2014 
€M 

2015 
  €M 

2016 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

(80.3) 

(70.5) 

(22.7) 

(23.7) 

(14.4) 

(7.4) 

82.5 

83.2 

79.1 

0.9 

0.9 

0.9 

(2.3) 

1.4 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

(22.8) 

(13.5) 

(6.5) 

(0.9) 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Consumables .............................................................................................................   2.5 

2.7 

2.8 

In  the  view  of  the  directors,  there  are  no  material  differences  between  the  net  realisable  value  of 

inventories and the balance sheet amounts. 

7 

Other assets  

Prepayments ............................................................................................................   121.6 
2.6 
Interest receivable ...................................................................................................  
124.2 

64.9 
2.8 
67.7 

60.0 
4.9 
64.9 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

All amounts fall due within one year. 

8 

Trade receivables 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Trade receivables ..............................................................................................................  58.2 
(0.1) 
Allowance for impairment ................................................................................................  
58.1 

56.2 
(0.1) 
56.1 

51.6 
(0.1) 
51.5 

All amounts fall due within one year. 

There  has  been  no  change  to  the  allowance  for  impairment  during  the  year  (2013:  Nil;  2012:  Nil).  

There were no bad debt write-offs in the year (2013: Nil; 2012: Nil). 

 No individual customer accounted for more than 10% of our accounts receivable at March 31, 2014, at 

March 31, 2013 or at March 31, 2012. 

At  March  31,  2014,  €1.4  million  (2013:  €1.1  million;  2012:  €1.0  million)  of  our  total  accounts 
receivable balance were past due, of which €0.1 million (2013: €0.1 million; 2012: €0.1 million) was impaired 
and  provided  for  and  €1.3  million  (2013:  €1.0  million;  2012:  €0.9  million)  was  considered  past  due  but  not 
impaired.  

171 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9 

Restricted cash 

Restricted cash consists of €13.3 million (2013: €24.7 million; 2012: €35.1 million) placed on deposit 
as  collateral  for  certain  derivative  financial  instruments  and  other  financing  arrangements  entered  into  by  the 
Company. 

10 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities 

2014 
€M 

At  March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Accruals .............................................................................................................................  
397.8 
Taxation .............................................................................................................................  
308.1 
855.3 
Unearned revenue ..............................................................................................................  
1,561.2 

431.6 
251.5 
658.3 
1,341.4 

Taxation comprises: 

2012 
€M 

327.0 
228.8 
681.4 
1,237.2 

2014 
€M 

At  March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

PAYE (payroll taxes) .........................................................................................................  6.7 
301.4 
Other tax (principally air passenger duty in various countries) ..........................................  
308.1 

5.2 
246.3 
251.5 

5.1 
223.7 
228.8 

11 

Financial instruments and financial risk management 

The  Company  utilises  financial  instruments  to  reduce  exposures  to  market  risks  throughout  its 
business.  Borrowings,  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  liquid  investments  are  used  to  finance  the  Company‘s 
operations.  Derivative  financial  instruments  are  contractual  agreements  with  a  value  that  reflects  price 
movements  in  an  underlying  asset.  The  Company  uses  derivative  financial  instruments,  principally  jet  fuel 
derivatives,  interest  rate  swaps,  cross-currency  interest  rate  swaps  and  forward  foreign  exchange  contracts  to 
manage commodity risks, interest rate risks and currency exposures and to achieve the desired profile of fixed 
and variable rate borrowings and leases in appropriate currencies. It is the Company‘s policy that no speculative 
trading in financial instruments shall take place. 

The main risks attaching to the Company‘s financial instruments, the Company‘s strategy and approach 
to  managing  these  risks,  and  the  details  of  the  derivatives  employed  to  hedge  against  these  risks  have  been 
disclosed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements. 

172 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) 

Financial assets and financial liabilities – fair values 

The carrying value and fair value of the Company‘s financial assets by class and measurement category 

at March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows: 

Available 
For Sale 
€M 

Cash-
Flow 
Hedges 
€M 

Loans and 
Receivables 
€M 

Total 
Carrying 
Value 
€M 

At March 31, 2014 
Available-for-sale financial assets ..............................................................................................  
Cash and cash equivalents ..........................................................................................................  
Financial asset: cash > 3 months .................................................................................................  
Restricted cash ............................................................................................................................  
Derivative financial instruments:- 
- Jet fuel derivative contracts ......................................................................................................  
Trade receivables ........................................................................................................................  
Other assets .................................................................................................................................  

260.3 
- 
- 
- 

- 
1,730.1 
1,498.3 
13.3 

17.1 
- 
- 

- 
58.1 
2.6 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

260.3 
1,730.1 
1,498.3 
13.3 

17.1 
58.1 
2.6 

Total Fair 
Value 
€M 

260.3 

17.1 

Total financial assets at March 31, 2014 .....................................................................................  

260.3 

17.1 

3,302.4 

3,579.8 

277.4 

Available 
For Sale 
€M 

Cash-
Flow 
Hedges 
€M 

Loans and 
Receivables 
€M 

Total 
Carrying 
Value 
€M 

At March 31, 2013 
Available-for-sale financial assets ..............................................................................................  
Cash and cash equivalents ..........................................................................................................  
Financial asset: cash > 3 months .................................................................................................  
Restricted cash ............................................................................................................................  
Derivative financial instruments:- 
- U.S. dollar currency forward contracts .....................................................................................  
- Jet fuel derivative contracts ......................................................................................................  
- Carbon derivative contracts ......................................................................................................  
Trade receivables ........................................................................................................................  
Other assets .................................................................................................................................  
Total financial assets at March 31, 2013 .....................................................................................  

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
221.2 

- 
- 
- 
56.1 
2.8 
3,617.9 

- 
1,240.9 
2,293.4 
24.7 

47.4 
35.0 
0.8 
- 
- 
83.2 

221.2 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

221.2 
1,240.9 
2,293.4 
24.7 

47.4 
35.0 
0.8 
56.1 
2.8 
3,922.3 

Available 
For Sale 

€M 

Cash-
Flow 
Hedges 

€M 

Loans and 
Receivables 

€M 

Total 
Carrying 
Value 

€M 

At March 31, 2012 
Available-for-sale financial assets ..............................................................................................  
Cash and cash equivalents ..........................................................................................................  
Financial asset: cash > 3 months .................................................................................................  
Restricted cash ............................................................................................................................  
Derivative financial instruments:- 
- U.S. dollar currency forward contracts .....................................................................................  
- Jet fuel derivative contracts ......................................................................................................  
Trade receivables ........................................................................................................................  
Other assets .................................................................................................................................  

149.7 
- 
- 
- 

89.4 
145.8 
- 
- 

- 
2,708.3 
772.2 
35.1 

51.5 
4.9 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

149.7 
2,708.3 
772.2 
35.1 

89.4 
145.8 
51.5 
4.9 

Total Fair 
Value 
€M 

221.2 

47.4 
35.0 
0.8 

304.4 

Total Fair 
Value 

€M 

149.7 

89.4 
145.8 

Total financial assets measured at March 31, 2012 .....................................................................  

149.7 

235.2 

3,572.0 

3,956.9 

384.9 

The Company has not disclosed the fair value of the financial instruments: cash and cash equivalents, financial 
assets: cash > 3 months, restricted cash, trade receivables and other assets because their carrying amounts are a 
reasonable approximation of their fair values due to the short term nature of the instruments. 

173 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The carrying values and fair values of the Company‘s financial liabilities by class and category were as follows: 

Liabilities at 
Amortised 
Cost 
€M 

Cash-Flow 
Hedges 
€M 

Total 
Carrying 
Value 
€M 

Total Fair 
Value 
€M 

At March 31, 2014 
Current and non-current maturities of debt .................................................................................  
Derivative financial instruments:- 
    -Interest rate swaps ..................................................................................................................  
    -Foreign exchange forward contracts ......................................................................................  
Trade payables ............................................................................................................................  
Accrued expenses ........................................................................................................................  

- 
- 
150.0 
397.8 

72.4 
66.2 
- 
- 

3,083.6 

- 

Total financial liabilities at March 31, 2014 ................................................................................  

3,631.4 

138.6 

At March 31, 2013 
Current and non-current maturities of debt .................................................................................  
Derivative financial instruments:- 
    -Interest rate swaps ..................................................................................................................  
Trade payables ............................................................................................................................  
Accrued expenses ........................................................................................................................  
Total financial liabilities at March 31, 2013 ................................................................................  

- 
138.3 
431.6 
4,068.2 

81.9 
- 
- 
81.9 

3,498.3 

- 

At March 31, 2012 
Current and non-current maturities of debt .................................................................................  
Derivative financial instruments:- 
    -Interest rate swaps ..................................................................................................................  
    -Carbon swaps .........................................................................................................................  
Trade payables ............................................................................................................................  
Accrued expenses ........................................................................................................................  
Total financial liabilities at March 31, 2012 ................................................................................  

- 
- 
181.2 
327.0 
4,133.4 

80.3 
1.5 
- 
- 
81.8 

3,625.2 

- 

3,083.6 

3,128.8 

72.4 
66.2 

72.4 
66.2 
150.0 
397.8 

3,770.0 

3,267.4 

3,498.3 

3,555.7 

81.9 
138.3 
431.6 
4,150.1 

81.9 

3,637.6 

3,625.2 

3,665.4 

80.3 
1.5 
181.2 
327.0 
4,215.2 

80.3 
1.5 

3,747.2 

The Company has not disclosed the fair value for financial liabilities such as trade payables and accrued expenses because 
their carrying amounts are a reasonable approximation of their fair values due to the short term nature of the instruments. 

Estimation of fair values 

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly 
transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The following methods and assumptions were 
used to estimate the fair value of each material class of the Company‘s financial instruments: 

Financial instruments measured at fair value 

Derivatives  –  interest  rate  swaps:  Discounted  cash-flow  analyses  have  been  used  to  determine  the 

Available-for- sale: The fair value of available-for-sale financial assets is their quoted market bid price 

 
at the balance sheet date. (Level 1) 
 
fair value, taking into account current market inputs and rates. (Level 2) 
 
Derivatives  – currency forwards, aircraft fuel contracts and carbon swaps:  A comparison of the 
contracted rate to the market rate for contracts providing a similar risk profile at March 31, 2014 has been used 
to establish fair value. (Level 2) 

Financial instruments not measured at fair value 

  Fixed-rate long-term debt: The repayments which Ryanair is committed to make have been discounted at 
the relevant market rates of interest applicable (including credit spreads) at the relevant reporting year end date 
to arrive at a fair value representing the amount payable to a third party to assume the obligations. 

There were no significant changes in the business or economic circumstances during the year to March 

31, 2014 that affect the fair value of the Company‘s Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. 

174 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value in the balance sheet categorised by the type 
of valuation method used. The different valuation levels are defined as follows: 

  Level 1: Inputs are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. 

  Level 2: Inputs are based on quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are 
not  active,  quoted  prices  for  similar  instruments  in  active  markets,  and  model-based  valuation 
techniques  for  which  all  significant  assumptions  are  observable  in  the  market  or  can  be 
corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. 

  Level 3: Inputs for the asset or liability are not based on observable market data. 

Level 1 
€M 

Level 2 
€M 

Level 3 
€M 

Total 
€M 

At March 31, 2014 
Assets measured at fair value 
Available-for-sale financial asset .............................................................................  
Cash-flow hedges – jet fuel derivative contracts ......................................................  

260.3 
- 
260.3 

Liabilities measured at fair value 
Cash-flow hedges – interest rate swaps ....................................................................  
Cash-flow hedges – Foreign exchange forward contracts  .......................................  

- 
- 
- 

Liabilities not measured at fair value 
Long-term debt .........................................................................................................  

- 
- 

- 
17.1 
17.1 

72.4 
66.2 
138.6 

3,128.8 
3,128.8 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

260.3 
17.1 
277.4 

72.4 
66.2 
138.6 

3,128.8 
3,128.8 

During  the  year  ended  March  31,  2014,  there  were  no  transfers  between  Level  1  and  Level  2  fair-value 

measurements, and no transfers into or out of Level 3 fair-value measurement. 

Level 1 
€M 

Level 2 
€M 

Level 3 
€M 

Total 
€M 

At March 31, 2013 
Assets measured at fair value 
Available-for-sale financial asset .............................................................................  
Cash-flow hedges – U.S. dollar currency forward contracts ....................................  
Cash-flow hedges – jet fuel derivative contracts ......................................................  
Cash-flow hedges –carbon derivative contracts .......................................................  

221.2 
- 
- 
- 
221.2 

Liabilities measured at fair value 
Cash-flow hedges – interest rate swaps ....................................................................  

- 
- 

- 
47.4 
35.0 
0.8 
83.2 

(81.9) 
(81.9) 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

221.2 
47.4 
35.0 
0.8 
304.4 

(81.9) 
(81.9) 

During  the  year  ended  March  31,  2013,  there  were  no  transfers  between  Level  1  and  Level  2  fair-value 

measurements, and no transfers into or out of Level 3 fair-value measurement. 

Level 1 
€M 

Level 2 
€M 

Level 3 
€M 

Total 
€M 

At March 31, 2012 
Assets measured at fair value 
Available-for-sale financial asset .............................................................................  
Cash-flow hedges – U.S. dollar currency forward contracts ....................................  
Cash-flow hedges – jet fuel derivative contracts ......................................................  

149.7 
- 
- 
149.7 

Liabilities measured at fair value 
Cash-flow hedges – interest rate swaps ....................................................................  
Cash-flow hedges – carbon swaps............................................................................  

- 
- 
- 

- 
89.4 
145.8 
235.2 

(80.3) 
(1.5) 
(81.8) 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

149.7 
89.4 
145.8 
384.9 

(80.3) 
(1.5) 
(81.8) 

During the year ended March 31, 2012, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value 

measurements, and no transfers into or out of Level 3 fair value measurement. 

175 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b) 

Commodity risk 

The Company‘s exposure to price risk in this regard is primarily for jet fuel used in the normal course 

of operations. 

At the year-end, the Company had the following jet fuel and carbon arrangements in place: 

Carbon swaps – fair value ........................................................................................  
- 
Jet fuel forward contracts – fair value ......................................................................   17.1 
17.1 

0.8 
35.0 
35.8 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

(1.5) 
145.8 
144.3 

All of the above commodity contracts mature within the year and are matched against highly probable 

forecast commodity cash flows. 

(c) 

Maturity and interest rate risk profile of financial assets and financial liabilities 

At  March  31,  2014,  the  Company  had  total  borrowings  of  €3,083.6  million  (2013:  €3,498.3  million; 
2012:  €3,625.2  million)  from  various  financial  institutions,  provided  primarily  on  the  basis  of  guarantees 
granted by the Export-Import Bank of the United States to finance the acquisition of 210 Boeing 737-800 ―next 
generation‖  aircraft  (2013:  210;  2012:  199).  The  guarantees  are  secured  with  a  first  fixed  mortgage  on  the 
delivered aircraft. The remaining long-term debt relates to 30 aircraft held under finance leases (2013: 30; 2012: 
30), 6 aircraft financed by way of other commercial debt (2013: 6; 2012: 6) and aircraft simulators.  

The maturity profile of the Company‘s financial liabilities (excluding derivative financial liabilities, 

aircraft provisions, trade payables and accrued expenses) at March 31, 2014 was as follows: 

Weighted 
average 
fixed rate 
(%) 

2.93% 

3.79% 

3.30% 
2.81% 

2015 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2017 
€M 

2018 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

Total 
€M 

90.9 

93.9 

97.1 

96.1 

257.7 

635.7 

171.9 

150.7 

138.5 

207.3 

430.5 

1,098.9 

262.8 
41.6 
304.4 

244.6 
- 
244.6 

235.6 
45.6 
281.2 

303.4 
59.8 
363.2 

688.2 
162.4 
850.6 

1,734.6 
309.4 
2,044.0 

261.8 

240.5 

230.6 

302.7 

695.5 

1,731.1 

(171.9) 

(150.7) 

(138.5) 

(207.3) 

(430.5) 

(1,098.9) 

0.74% 
1.48% 
1.03% 

89.9 
73.6 
163.5 
467.9 

89.8 
49.7 
139.5 
384.1 

92.1 
66.9 
159.0 
440.2 

95.4 
70.7 
166.1 
529.3 

265.0 
146.5 
411.5 
1,262.1 

632.2 
407.4 
1,039.6 
3,083.6 

Fixed rate 
Secured long term-debt .................  
Debt swapped from floating to 

fixed ...........................................  

Secured long-term 
 debt after swaps ...........................  
Finance leases ...............................  
Total fixed rate debt ......................  

Floating rate 
Secured long-term debt .................  
Debt swapped from floating to 

fixed ...........................................  

Secured long-term debt after 

swaps .........................................  
Finance leases ...............................  
Total floating rate debt ..................  
Total financial liabilities ...............  

All of the above debt maturing after 2018 will mature between fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2025. 

176 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The maturity profile of the Company‘s financial liabilities (excluding derivative financial liabilities,  

aircraft provisions, trade payables and accrued expenses) at March 31, 2013 was as follows: 

Weighted 
average 
fixed rate 
(%) 

2.93% 

3.88% 

3.36% 
2.81% 

2014 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2017 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

Total 
€M 

87.9 

90.9 

94.0 

97.0 

353.7 

723.5 

171.4 

174.1 

152.9 

140.9 

654.0 

1,293.3 

259.3 
- 
259.3 

265.0 
40.7 
305.7 

246.9 
- 
246.9 

237.9 
- 
237.9 

1,007.7 
261.1 
1,268.8 

2,016.8 
301.8 
2,318.6 

258.6 

264.0 

242.7 

233.0 

1,013.9 

2,012.2 

(171.4) 

(174.1) 

(152.9) 

(140.9) 

(654.0) 

(1,293.3) 

0.65% 
1.42% 
0.95% 

87.2 
53.4 
140.6 
399.9 

89.9 
55.8 
145.7 
451.4 

89.8 
67.5 
157.3 
404.2 

92.1 
66.9 
159.0 
396.9 

359.9 
217.2 
577.1 
1,845.9 

718.9 
460.8 
1,179.7 
3,498.3 

Fixed rate 
Secured long term-debt .................  
Debt swapped from floating to 

fixed ...........................................  

Secured long-term debt after 

swaps .........................................  
Finance leases ...............................  
Total fixed rate debt ......................  

Floating rate 
Secured long-term debt .................  
Debt swapped from floating to 

fixed ...........................................  

Secured long-term debt after 

swaps .........................................  
Finance leases ...............................  
Total floating rate debt ..................  
Total financial liabilities ...............  

All of the above debt maturing after 2017 will mature between fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2025. 

The maturity profile of the Company‘s financial liabilities (excluding derivative financial liabilities, 

aircraft provisions, trade payables and accrued expenses) at March 31, 2012 was as follows: 

Weighted 
average 
fixed rate 
(%) 

2013 
€M 

2014 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
 €M 

Thereafter 
€M 

Total 
€M 

2.94% 

78.9 

81.8 

84.7 

87.5 

392.8 

725.7 

3.96% 

154.7 

159.0 

161.5 

140.2 

675.2 

1,290.6 

3.59% 
2.81% 

233.6 
- 
233.6 

240.8 
- 
240.8 

246.2 
39.8 
286.0 

227.7 
- 
227.7 

1,068.0 
254.4 
1,322.4 

2,016.3 
294.2 
2,310.5 

238.5 

245.9 

251.4 

230.0 

1,127.6 

2,093.4 

(154.7) 

(159.0) 

(161.5) 

(140.2) 

(675.2) 

(1,290.6) 

1.47% 
2.43% 
1.85% 

83.8 
51.0 
134.8 
368.4 

86.9 
53.4 
140.3 
381.1 

89.9 
55.8 
145.7 
431.7 

89.8 
67.5 
157.3 
385.0 

452.4 
284.2 
736.6 
2,059.0 

802.8 
511.9 
1,314.7 
3,625.2 

Fixed rate 
Secured long term-debt .................  
Debt swapped from floating to 

fixed ...........................................  

Secured long-term debt after 

swaps .........................................  
Finance leases ...............................  
Total fixed rate debt ......................  

Floating rate 
Secured long-term debt .................  
Debt swapped from floating to 

fixed ...........................................  

Secured long-term debt after 

swaps .........................................  
Finance leases ...............................  
Total floating rate debt ..................  
Total financial liabilities ...............  

All of the above debt maturing after 2016 will mature between fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2024. 

177 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following provides an analysis of changes in borrowings during the year: 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Balance at start of year ......................................................................................................  3,498.3 
- 
Loans raised to finance aircraft acquisitions– denominated in euro ..................................  
Loans raised to finance aircraft acquisitions– denominated in U.S. dollars ......................  
- 
Repayments of amounts borrowed ....................................................................................  (390.8) 
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) on conversion of U.S. dollar loans .....................................  (23.9) 
Balance at end of year ....................................................................................................  3,083.6 

Less than one year ............................................................................................................  467.9 
More than one year ...........................................................................................................  2,615.7 
3,083.6 

3,625.2 
82.8 
151.8 
(366.4) 
4.9 
3,498.3 

399.9 
3,098.4 
3,498.3 

3,649.4 
292.3 
- 
(329.7) 
13.2 
3,625.2 

368.4 
3,256.8 
3,625.2 

The maturities of the contractual undiscounted cash flows (including estimated future interest payments on debt) 
of the Company‘s financial liabilities are as follows:  

Total 
Carrying 
Value 
€M 

Total 
Contractual 
Cash flows 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2017 
€M 

2018 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

At March 31, 2014 
Long term debt and finance 
leases:- 
-Fixed rate debt (excluding 
Swapped debt) .........................  
-Swapped to fixed rate debt  
- Fixed rate debt ......................  
- Floating rate debt ..................  

Derivative financial instruments 
- Interest rate swaps  ................  
- U.S dollar currency forward  .  
Trade payables ........................  
Accrued expenses ....................  

Total at March 31, 2014 ..........  

3.23% 
1.03% 

945.1 
1,098.9 
2,044.0 
1,039.6 
3,083.6 

72.4 
66.4 
150.0 
397.8 
3,770.2 

1,020.7 
1,109.7 
2,130.4 
1,088.6 
3,219.0 

51.0 
66.7 
150.0 
397.8 
3,884.5 

148.7 
178.4 
327.1 
175.0 
502.1 

22.0 
64.6 
150.0 
397.8 
1,136.5 

108.2 
153.9 
262.1 
148.9 
411.0 

17.6 
(0.3) 
- 
- 
428.3 

154.9 
139.5 
294.4 
167.1 
461.5 

9.2 
0.4 
- 
- 
471.1 

165.8 
207.3 
373.1 
172.8 
545.9 

1.6 
0.3 
- 
- 
547.8 

443.1 
430.6 
873.7 
424.8 
1,298.5 

0.6 
1.7 
- 
- 
1,300.8 

Total 
Carrying 
Value 
€M 

Total 
Contractual 
Cash flows 
€M 

2014 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2017 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

At March 31, 2013 
Long term debt and finance 
leases:- 
   -Fixed rate debt (excluding 
Swapped debt) ................................  
   -Swapped to fixed rate debt  
- Fixed rate debt .............................   3.29% 
- Floating rate debt .........................   0.95% 

Derivative financial instruments:- 
   -Interest rate swaps  .....................  
Trade payables ...............................  
Accrued expenses ...........................  

Total at March 31, 2013 .................  

1,025.3 
1,293.3 
2,318.6 
1,179.7 
3,498.3 

81.9 
138.3 
431.6 
4,150.1 

1,131.3 
1,329.2 
2,460.5 
1,226.3 
3,686.8 

72.3 
138.3 
431.6 
4,329.0 

105.9 
182.1 
288.0 
154.8 
442.8 

27.1 
138.3 
431.6 
1,039.8 

107.1 
180.6 
287.7 
156.7 
444.4 

22.0 
- 
- 
466.4 

148.9 
156.2 
305.1 
166.1 
471.2 

14.6 
- 
- 
485.8 

109.3 
141.8 
251.1 
166.6 
417.7 

7.3 
- 
- 
425.0 

660.1 
668.5 
1,328.6 
582.1 
1,910.7 

1.3 
- 
- 
1,912.0 

178 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total 
Carrying 
Value 
€M 

Total 
Contractual 
Cash flows 
€M 

2013 
€M 

2014 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

1,019.9 
1,290.6 
2,310.5 
1,314.7 
3,625.2 

80.3 
1.5 
181.2 
327.0 
4,215.2 

1,133.9 
1,329.4 
2,463.3 
1,436.9 
3,900.2 

70.5 
1.5 
181.2 
327.0 
4,480.4 

98.9 
170.2 
269.1 
158.3 
427.4 

22.7 
1.5 
181.2 
327.0 
959.8 

99.9 
170.6 
270.5 
161.3 
431.8 

23.7 
- 
- 
- 
455.5 

140.7 
168.7 
309.4 
164.4 
473.8 

14.4 
- 
- 
- 
488.2 

101.8 
143.7 
245.5 
173.3 
418.8 

7.4 
- 
- 
- 
426.2 

692.6 
676.2 
1,368.8 
779.6 
2,148.4 

2.3 
- 
- 
- 
2,150.7 

At March 31, 2012 
Long term debt and finance 
leases:- 
   -Fixed rate debt (excluding 
Swapped debt) ................................  
   -Swapped to fixed rate debt  
- Fixed rate debt .............................   3.49% 
- Floating rate debt .........................   1.85% 

Derivative financial instruments:- 
   - Interest rate swaps  ....................  
   -Carbon swaps .............................  
Trade payables ...............................  
Accrued expenses ...........................  

Total at March 31, 2012 .................  

Interest rate re-pricing 

Floating  interest  rates  on  financial  liabilities  are  generally  referenced  to  European  inter-bank  interest 
rates (EURIBOR). Secured long-term debt and interest rate swaps  typically re-price  on a quarterly basis  with 
finance leases re-pricing on a semi-annual basis. We use current interest rate  settings on existing floating rate 
debt at each year-end to calculate contractual cash flows. 

Fixed  interest  rates  on  financial  liabilities  are  fixed  for  the  duration  of  the  underlying  structures 

(typically between 10 and 12 years). 

The  Company  holds  significant  cash  balances  that  are  invested  on  a  short-term  basis.  At  March  31, 
2014, all of the Company‘s cash and liquid resources had a maturity of one year or less and attracted a weighted 
average interest rate of 0.37% (2013: 0.39%; 2012: 1.07%). 

March 31, 2014 

March 31, 2013 

March 31, 2012 

Financial assets 

Within  
1 year 
€M 

Total 
€M 

Within  
1 year 
€M 

Total 
€M 

Cash and cash equivalents ................................................................................................  
Cash > 3 months ...............................................................................................................  
Restricted cash ..................................................................................................................  
Total financial assets .........................................................................................................  

1,730.1 
1,498.3 
13.3 
3,241.7 

1,730.1 
1,498.3 
13.3 
3,241.7 

1,240.9 
2,293.4 
24.7 
3,559.0 

1,240.9 
2,293.4 
24.7 
3,559.0 

Within  
1 year 
€M 

2,708.3 
772.2 
35.1 
3,515.6 

Total 
€M 

2,708.3 
772.2 
35.1 
3,515.6 

Interest rates on cash and liquid resources are generally based on the appropriate EURIBOR, LIBOR or 

bank rates dependant on the principal amounts on deposit. 

(d) 

Foreign currency risk 

The  Company  has  exposure  to  various  foreign  currencies  (principally  U.K.  pounds  sterling  and  U.S. 
dollars)  due  to  the  international  nature  of  its  operations.  The  Company  manages  this  risk  by  matching  U.K. 
pound  sterling  revenues  against  U.K.  pound  sterling  costs.  Any  remaining  unmatched  U.K.  pound  sterling 
revenues  are  used  to  fund  U.S.  dollar  currency  exposures  that  arise  in  relation  to  fuel,  maintenance,  aviation 
insurance  and  capital  expenditure  costs  or  are  sold  for  euro.  The  Company  also  sells  euro  forward  to  cover 
certain  U.S.  dollar  costs.  Further  details  of  the  hedging  activity  carried  out  by  the  Company  are  disclosed  in 
Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.  

179 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table shows the net amount of monetary assets of the Company that are not denominated 
in  euro  at  March  31,  2014,  2013  and  2012.  Such  amounts  have  been  translated  using  the  following  year-end 
foreign currency rates in 2014: €/£: 0.8282; €/$: 1.3788 (2013: €/£: 0.8456; €/$: 1.2805; 2012: €/£: 0.8339; €/$: 
1.3356). 

March 31, 2014 

March 31, 2013 

March 31, 2012 

GBP 
£M 

U.S.$ 
$M 

euro  
equiv. 
€M 

GBP 
£M 

U.S.$ 
$M 

euro  
equiv.  GBP 
£M 

€M 

U.S.$ 
$M 

euro  
equiv. 
€M 

Monetary assets 
U.K. pounds sterling cash 
and liquid resources ...........................................  
U.S. Dollar cash and liquid  
resources ............................................................  

79.0 

- 
79.0 

- 

95.4 

9.3 
9.3 

6.7 
102.1 

73.6 

- 
73.6 

- 

87.1 

38.9 

206.9 
206.9 

161.6 
248.7 

- 
38.9 

- 

- 
- 

46.7 

- 
46.7 

The  following  table  shows  the  net  amount  of  monetary  liabilities  of  the  Company  that  are  not 
denominated in euro at March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Such amounts have been translated using the following 
year-end foreign currency rates in 2014: €/$: 1.3788.  

Monetary liabilities 
U.S dollar long term debt............................  

March 31, 2014  March 31, 2013  March 31, 2012 

U.S.$ 
$M 

euro  
equiv.  U.S.$ 
$M 

€M 

euro  
equiv.  U.S.$ 
$M 

€M 

euro 
equiv. 
€M 

411.1 
411.1 

298.1 
298.1 

450.0 
450.0 

351.4 
351.4 

282.8 
282.8 

211.7 
211.7 

The Company has entered into cross currency interest rate swap arrangements to manage exposures to 
fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on these U.S. dollar denominated floating rate borrowings, together with 
managing  the  exposures  to  fluctuations  in  interest  rates  on  these  U.S.  dollar  denominated  floating  rate 
borrowings.  The fair value of these cross currency interest rate swap instruments at March 31, 2014 was €8.5 
million, (2013: €5.2 million; 2012: €7.4 million) which has been classified within current liabilities, specifically 
derivative liabilities falling due within one year (see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements).  

The following table gives details of the notional amounts of the Company‘s currency forward contracts 

as at March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012: 

Currency forward contracts 

March 31, 2014 

March 31, 2013 

March 31, 2012 

U.S.$ 
$M 

euro 
equiv. 
€M 

U.S.$ 
$M 

euro 
equiv. 
€M 

U.S.$ 
$M 

euro 
equiv. 
€M 

U.S. dollar currency forward 
contracts 
3,216.4 
- for fuel and other purchases ............................................................................................  
919.3 
- for aircraft purchases ......................................................................................................  
4,135.7 

2,385.9 
683.2 
3,069.1 

2,417.8 
- 
2,417.8 

1,836.2 
- 
1,836.2 

2,657.0 
191.7 
2,848.7 

1,907.9 
136.9 
2,044.8 

Currency forward contracts 

March 31, 2014 

March 31, 2013 

March 31, 2012 

Stg £ 
£M 

euro 
equiv. 
€M 

Stg £ 
£M 

euro 
equiv. 
€M 

Stg £ 
£M 

euro 
equiv. 
€M 

U.K pounds sterling currency 
22.5 
forward contracts ..............................................................................................................  
22.5 

27.4 
27.4 

- 
- 

- 
- 

10.0 
10.0 

12.0 
12.0 

180 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(e) 

Equity risk 

The  Company  has  exposure  to  equity  price  risk  primarily  in  relation  to  its  29.8%  investment  in  Aer 
Lingus. The Company does not have significant influence over Aer Lingus and accordingly, this investment is 
classified  as  an  available-for-sale  financial  asset  rather  than  an  investment  in  an  associate.  Additional 
information  in  relation  to  the  available-for-sale  financial  asset  can  be  found  in  Note  4  to  the  consolidated 
financial statements. 

(f) 

Credit risk 

The  Company  holds  significant  cash  balances,  which  are  invested  on  a  short-term  basis  and  are 
classified  as  either  cash  equivalents  or  liquid  investments.  These  deposits  and  other  financial  instruments 
(principally  certain  derivatives  and  loans  as  identified  above)  give  rise  to  credit  risk  on  amounts  due  from 
counterparties.  Credit  risk  is  managed  by  limiting  the  aggregate  amount  and  duration  of  exposure  to  any  one 
counterparty  through  regular  review  of  counterparties‘  market-based  ratings,  Tier  1  capital  level  and  credit 
default swap rates and by taking into account bank counterparties‘ systemic importance to the financial systems 
of their home  countries. The Company typically enters into deposits and derivative contracts  with parties that 
have a long term Standard and Poors ―A‖ category rating or equivalent credit rating. The maximum exposure 
arising  in  the  event  of  default  on  the  part  of  the  counterparty  is  the  carrying  value  of  the  relevant  financial 
instrument.  The  Company  is  authorised  to  place  funds  on  deposit  for  periods  up  to 18 months.  The  Board of 
Directors monitors the return on capital as well as the level of dividends to ordinary shareholders on an ongoing 
basis. 

The Company‘s revenues derive principally from airline travel on scheduled services, internet income 
and  in-flight  and  related  sales.  Revenue  is  primarily  derived  from  European  routes.  No  individual  customer 
accounts for a significant portion of total revenue. 

At  March  31,  2014,  €1.4  million  (2013:  €1.1  million;  2012:  €1.0  million)  of  our  total  accounts 
receivable balance were past due, of which €0.1 million (2013: €0.1 million; 2012: €0.1 million) was impaired 
and provided for and €1.3 million (2013: €1.0 million; 2012: €0.9 million) was past due but not impaired. See 
Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements. 

(g) 

Liquidity and capital management 

The Company‘s cash and liquid resources comprise cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments 
and  restricted  cash.  The  Company  defines  the  capital  that  it  manages  as  the  Company‘s  long-term  debt  and 
equity. The Company‘s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market 
confidence and to maintain sufficient financial resources to mitigate against risks and unforeseen events.  

The Company finances its working capital requirements through a combination of cash generated from 
operations,  bank loans and debt capital market issuances for the acquisition of aircraft. The Company had cash 
and  liquid resources at March 31, 2014 of €3,241.7 million (2013: €3,559.0 million; 2012: €3,515.6  million). 
During  the  year,  the  Company  funded  €505.8  million  in  purchases  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  (2013: 
€310.7 million; 2012: €317.6 million). Cash generated from operations has been the principal source for these 
cash requirements, supplemented primarily by aircraft-related financing structures. 

The Board of Directors periodically reviews the capital structure of the Company, considering the cost 
of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital. The Board approves any material adjustments to the 
capital structure in terms of the relative proportions of debt and equity. 

Ryanair  has  generally  been  able  to  generate  sufficient  funds  from  operations  to  meet  its  non-aircraft 
acquisition-related working capital requirements. Management believes that the working capital available to the 
Company is sufficient for its present requirements and will be sufficient to meet its anticipated requirements for 
capital expenditures and other cash requirements for the 2014 fiscal year. 

(h) 

Guarantees 

Details of the Company‘s guarantees and the related accounting have been disclosed in Note 23 to the 

consolidated financial statements. 

181 

 
 
(i) 

Sensitivity analysis 

(i) 

Interest rate  risk: Based on the  levels of and composition of  year-end interest bearing assets 
and  liabilities,  including  derivatives,  at  March  31,  2014,  a  plus  or  minus  one-percentage-point  movement  in 
interest rates would result in a respective increase or decrease of €18.0 million (net of tax) in net interest income 
and  expense  in  the  income  statement  (2013:  €18.3  million;  2012:  €18.3  million)  and  €16.7  million  in  equity 
(2013: €28.8 million: 2012: €36.9 million). All of the Group‘s interest rate swaps are used to swap variable rate 
debt  to  fixed  rate  debt;  consequently  any  changes  in  interest  rates  would  have  an  equal  and  opposite  income 
statement effect for both the interest rate swaps and the debt.  

(ii) 

Foreign currency risk: A plus or minus change of 10% in relevant foreign currency exchange 
rates, based on outstanding foreign currency-denominated financial assets and financial liabilities at March 31, 
2014 would have a respective positive or negative impact on the income statement of €3.0 million (net of tax) 
(2013: €2.6 million; 2012: €1.8  million) and on equity of €288.2 million (net of tax) (2013: €183.1 million; 
2012: €176.3 million). 

(iii) 

Equity price risk: An increase/decrease of 10% in the Aer Lingus share price as of March 31, 

2014 would result in an increase/decrease of €26.0 million in the fair value of the available-for-sale financial 
assets (2013: €22.1 million; 2012: €15.0 million). The increase/decrease would be recognised in other 
comprehensive income.  

12 

Deferred and current taxation 

The components of the deferred and current taxation in the balance sheet are as follows: 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Current tax (assets)/liabilities 
Corporation tax (prepayment)/provision ..........................................................................  (1.1) 
Total current tax (assets)/liabilities ..................................................................................  (1.1) 

Deferred tax liabilities  
Origination and reversal of temporary differences on property, plant and 
equipment,  derivatives, pensions and available-for-sale securities ................................   368.6 
Total deferred tax liabilities ............................................................................................  368.6 

Deferred tax (assets) 
Net operating losses ........................................................................................................   
Total deferred tax assets .................................................................................................  

- 
- 

Total deferred tax liabilities (net) ................................................................................  368.6 

Total tax liabilities (net) ................................................................................................  367.5 

0.3 
0.3 

346.5 
346.5 

- 
- 

346.5 

346.8 

(9.3) 
(9.3) 

324.4 
324.4 

(5.0) 
(5.0) 

319.4 

310.1 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Reconciliation of current tax 

At beginning of year .....................................................................................................   0.3 
Corporation tax charge in year .....................................................................................  31.1 
Adjustment in respect of  prior-year under/(over) provision ........................................  
- 
Tax paid ........................................................................................................................  (32.5) 
At end of year ...............................................................................................................  (1.1) 

(9.3) 
34.1 
1.3 
(25.8) 
0.3 

(0.5) 
4.9 
(0.1) 
(13.6) 
(9.3) 

182 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of deferred tax 

At beginning of year ....................................................................................................  346.5 
- 
Release of deferred tax asset for prior-year net operating losses .................................  
New temporary differences on property, plant and equipment, 
derivatives, pensions and other items ..........................................................................  22.1 
At end of year ..............................................................................................................  368.6 

319.4 
5.0 

22.1 
346.5 

267.7 
26.4 

25.3 
319.4 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

The  charge  in  the  year  to  March  31,  2014  consisted  of  temporary  differences  of  a  charge  of  €37.5 
million for property, plant and equipment recognised in the income statement and a credit of €15.2 million for 
derivatives and a credit of €0.2 million for pensions, all recognised in other comprehensive income. The charge 
in the year to March 31, 2013 consisted of temporary differences of a charge of €41.3 million for property, plant 
and equipment recognised in the income statement, a credit of €19.0 million for derivatives and a credit of €0.2 
million for pensions, all recognised in other comprehensive income. New temporary differences arising  in the 
year to March 31, 2012 consisted of temporary differences of a charge of €41.4 million for property, plant and 
equipment  recognised  in  the  income  statement,  a  credit  of  €15.2  million  for  derivatives  and  a  credit  of  €0.9 
million for pensions, all recognised in other comprehensive income. 

The components of the tax expense in the income statement were as follows: 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Corporation tax charge in year .......................................................................................  31.1 
Deferred tax charge relating to origination and reversal of  

temporary differences ............................................................................................  37.5 
68.6 

35.4 

46.2 
81.6 

4.9 

67.7 
72.6 

The  following  table  reconciles  the  statutory  rate  of  Irish  corporation  tax  to  the  Company‘s  effective 

corporation tax rate: 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
% 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
% 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
% 

Statutory rate of Irish corporation tax ............................................................................  12.5 
- 
Adjustments for earnings taxed at higher rates ..............................................................  
Adjustments for earnings taxed at lower rates ...............................................................  (0.5) 
Other differences ...........................................................................................................  (0.4) 
Total effective rate of taxation .......................................................................................  11.6 

12.5 
0.1 
(0.7) 
0.6 
12.5 

12.5 
0.2 
(1.1) 
(0.1) 
11.5 

Deferred tax applicable to items charged or credited to other comprehensive income were as follows: 

Defined benefit pension obligations ..............................................................................  (0.2) 
Derivative financial instruments ....................................................................................  (15.2) 
Total tax charge in other comprehensive income ...........................................................  (15.4) 

(0.2) 
(19.0) 
(19.2) 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

(0.9) 
(15.2) 
(16.1) 

183 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  majority  of  current  and  deferred  tax  recorded  in  each  of  fiscal  2014,  2013  and  2012  relates  to 
domestic tax charges and there is no expiry date associated with these temporary differences. In fiscal 2014, the 
Irish corporation tax rate remained at 12.5%. 

The principal components of deferred tax at each year-end were: 

2014 
€M 

At March 31,  
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Arising on capital allowances and other temporary differences...............................  385.7 
- 
Arising on net operating losses carried forward.......................................................  
Arising on derivatives .............................................................................................. ( (16.9) 
Arising on pension ...................................................................................................  (0.2) 
Total.........................................................................................................................  368.6 

348.2 
- 
- 
(1.7) 
346.5 

306.9 
(5.0) 
19.0 
(1.5) 
319.4 

At  March  31,  2014,  2013  and  2012,  the  Company  recognised  all  required  deferred  tax  assets  and 
liabilities.  No deferred tax has been provided for on the un-remitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries because 
there is no intention to remit these to Ireland. 

13 

Provisions  

 Provision for aircraft maintenance on operating leased aircraft (a) ..............................  
132.2 
 Provision for pension obligation (b) .............................................................................  1.7 
133.9 

2014 
€M 

(a) Provision for aircraft maintenance on operating leased aircraft 

122.4 
 At beginning of year .....................................................................................................  
 Increase in provision during the year ............................................................................  38.0 
(28.2) 
 Utilisation of provision upon the hand-back of aircraft ................................................  
 At end of year ...............................................................................................................  
132.2 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

122.4 
13.5 
135.9 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

91.3 
41.9 
(10.8) 
122.4 

2012 
€M 

91.3 
11.9 
103.2 

2012 
€M 

84.7 
33.1 
(26.5) 
91.3 

During the 2014 fiscal year, the Company returned 8 aircraft held under operating lease to the lessors. 

The  expected  timing  of  the  outflows  of  economic  benefits  associated  with  the  provision  at  March  31,  2014, 
2013 and 2012 are as follows:  

At March 31, 2014 
Provision for leased aircraft 
maintenance  

At March 31, 2013 
Provision for leased aircraft 
maintenance  

At March 31, 2012 
Provision for leased aircraft 
maintenance  

Carrying 
Value 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2017 
€M 

2018 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

132.2 

1.4 

49.0 

44.5 

22.2 

15.1 

Carrying  
Value 
€M 

122.4 
Carrying  
Value 
€M 

2014 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2017 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

52.0 

10.4 

20.7 

23.3 

16.0 

2013 
€M 

2014 
€M 

2015 
€M 

2016 
€M 

Thereafter 
€M 

91.3 

4.3 

44.3 

8.0 

14.9 

19.8 

184 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

b) Provision for pension obligation 

At beginning of year .........................................................................................  
13.5 
Settlement on closure of Irish defined benefit plan ...........................................  
(12.5) 
Movement during the year ................................................................................  0.7 
At end of year ...................................................................................................  1.7 

11.9 
- 
1.6 
13.5 

4.9 
- 
7.0 
11.9 

See Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements for further details.  

14 

Other creditors 

This consists of deferred gains arising from the sale and leaseback of aircraft. During fiscal year 2014, 
Ryanair  returned  8  sale-and-leaseback  aircraft  but  did  not  enter  into  sale-and-leaseback  arrangements  for  any 
new Boeing 737-800 ―next generation‖ aircraft (2013: 4; 2012: 11).  Total sale-and-leaseback aircraft at March 
31, 2014 was 51. 

15 

(a) 

Issued share capital, share premium account and share options 

Share capital 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Authorised: 

1,680,000,000 ordinary equity shares of 0.635 euro cent each ... 0 

10.7 

10.7 

10.7 

Allotted, called-up and fully paid: 

1,383,237,668 ordinary equity shares of 0.635 euro cent each ......  
1,447,051,752 ordinary equity shares of 0.635 euro cent each ......  
1,455,593,261 ordinary equity shares of 0.635 euro cent each ......  

8.8 
- 
- 

- 
9.2 
- 

- 
- 
9.3 

The  movement  in  the  share  capital  balance  year-on-year  principally  relates  to  5.7  million  (2013:  6.5 
million; 2012: 2.5 million) new shares issued due to the exercise of share options, less the cancellation of 69.5 
million shares relating to share buy-backs (2013: 15.0 million; 2012: 36.5 million).  

The  share  capital  of  Ryanair  consists  of  one  class  of  stock,  the  ordinary  equity  shares.  The  ordinary 

equity shares do not confer on the holders thereof the specific right to be paid a dividend out of profits. 

(b) 

Share premium account 

Balance at beginning of year .............................................................................  
687.8 
Share premium arising from the exercise of 5.7 million 

options in fiscal 2014, 6.5 million options in fiscal 2013 
16.4 
and 2.5 million options in fiscal 2012 ........................................................  
704.2 
Balance at end of year .......................................................................................  

2014 
€M 

At March 31,  
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

666.4 

659.3 

21.4 
687.8 

7.1 
666.4 

185 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(c) 

Share options and share purchase arrangements 

The Company has adopted a number of share option plans, which allow current or future employees or 
executive  directors  to  purchase  shares  in  the  Company  up  to  an  aggregate  of  approximately  5%  (when 
aggregated with other ordinary shares over which options are granted and which have not yet been exercised) of 
the outstanding ordinary shares of Ryanair Holdings plc, subject to certain conditions. All grants are subject to 
approval  by  the  Remuneration  Committee.  These  are  exercisable  at  a  price  equal  to  the  market  price  of  the 
ordinary shares at the time options are granted. The key terms of these option plans include the requirement that 
certain  employees  remain  in  employment  with  the  Company  for  a  specified  period  of  time  and  that  the 
Company  achieves  certain  net  profit  targets  and/or  share  price  targets.  These  share  options  schemes  are  cash 
settled.  

Details of the share options outstanding are set out below:  

Share Options 

M 

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price 

Outstanding at March 31, 2011 ..........................................................................................  
Exercised ...........................................................................................................................  
Expired ..............................................................................................................................  
Forfeited ............................................................................................................................  
Outstanding at March 31, 2012 ..........................................................................................  
Exercised ...........................................................................................................................  
Outstanding at March 31, 2013 ..........................................................................................  
Exercised ...........................................................................................................................  
Outstanding at March 31, 2014 ..........................................................................................  

23.4 
(2.5) 
(0.8) 
(2.1) 
18.0 
(6.5) 
11.5 
(5.7) 
5.8 

€3.07 
€2.81 
€3.40 
€3.08 
€3.11 
€3.32 
€2.97 
€2.90 
€3.04 

The mid-market price of Ryanair Holdings plc‘s ordinary shares on the Irish Stock Exchange at March 
31, 2014 was €7.61 (2013: €5.95; 2012: €4.48). The highest and lowest prices at which the Company‘s shares 
traded on the Irish Stock Exchange in the 2014 fiscal year were €7.70 and €5.33, respectively (2013: €6.16 and 
€3.83, respectively; 2012: €4.48 and €2.82, respectively). There were 5.8  million options exercisable at March 
31, 2014 (2013: 2.1 million; 2012: 6.2 million). The average share price for the  year was €6.59 (2013: €4.65; 
2012: €3.58). 

The weighted average share price (as of the dates of exercises) for all options exercised during the 2014 

fiscal year was €6.67 (2013: €4.94; 2012: €3.69). 

At  March  31,  2014  the  range  of  exercise  prices  and  weighted  average  remaining  contractual  life  of 

outstanding and exercisable options was as follows: 

Options outstanding 

Options exercisable 

Number 
outstanding 

M 

5.8 

Weighted-
average 
remaining 
contractual life 
(years) 

Weighted-
average 
exercise  
price (€) 

1.24 

3.04 

Number 
exercisable  

M 

5.8 

Weighted-
average 
remaining 
contractual life 
(years) 

Weighted-
average 
exercise 
price (€) 

1.24 

3.04 

Range of 
exercise 
 price (€) 

2.59-4.99 

The Company has accounted for its share option grants to employees at fair value, in accordance with 
IFRS 2, using a binomial lattice model to value the option grants. This has resulted in a charge of €1.9 million to 
the income statement (2013: €1.9 million charge; 2012: €0.7 million credit) being recognised within the income 
statement in accordance with employee services rendered.   

186 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16 

Other equity reserve  

The total share based payments reserve at March 31, 2014 was €9.1 million (2013: €14.2 million; 2012: 
€21.6  million).  The  available-for-sale  financial  asset  reserve  at  March  31,  2014  was  €180.6  million  (2013: 
€141.5  million; 2012: €70.0 million). The total cash-flow hedge reserve amounted to negative €83.2 million at 
March 31, 2014 (2013: €0.5 million; 2012: €138.6 million). Further details of the group‘s derivatives are set out 
in Notes 5 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements.  

17 

Analysis of operating revenues and segmental analysis 

The  Company  is  managed  as  a  single  business  unit  that  provides  low  fares  airline-related  services, 
including  scheduled  services,  internet  and  other  related  services  to  third  parties  across  a  European  route 
network.  The  Company  operates  a  single  fleet  of  aircraft  that  is  deployed  through  a  single  route  scheduling 
system.   

The Company determines and presents operating segments based on the information that internally is 
provided to Michael O‘Leary, CEO, who is the Company‘s Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM). When 
making  resource  allocation  decisions  the  CODM  evaluates  route  revenue  and  yield  data,  however  resource 
allocation decisions are made based on the entire route network and the deployment of the entire aircraft fleet, 
which are uniform in type.  The objective in making resource allocation decisions is to maximise consolidated 
financial results, rather than results on individual routes within the network. 

The CODM assesses the performance of the business based on the consolidated adjusted profit/(loss) 
after tax of the Company for the year. This measure excludes the effects of certain income and expense items, 
which  are  unusual,  by  virtue  of  their  size  and  incidence,  in  the  context  of  the  Company‘s  ongoing  core 
operations,  such  as  the  impairment  of  a  financial  asset  investment,  accelerated  depreciation  related  to  aircraft 
disposals and one off release of ticket sale revenue. 

All  segment  revenue  is  derived  wholly  from  external  customers  and,  as  the  Company  has  a  single 

reportable segment, inter-segment revenue is zero.   

The  Company‘s  major  revenue-generating  asset  class  comprises  its  aircraft  fleet,  which  is  flexibly 
employed across the Company‘s integrated route network and is directly attributable to its reportable segment 
operations.  In addition, as the Company is managed as a single business unit, all other assets and liabilities have 
been allocated to the Company‘s single reportable segment. 

There have been no changes to the basis of segmentation or the measurement basis for the segment profit or loss 
since the prior year. 

Reportable segment information is presented as follows: 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

External revenues ................................................................................................  5,036.7 

4,884.0 

4,390.2 

Reportable segment adjusted profit after income tax .......................................  522.8 

569.3 

502.6 

Other segment information: 
(351.8) 
Depreciation  ..........................................................................................................  
Finance income ......................................................................................................  16.5 
Finance expense .....................................................................................................  (83.2) 
(505.8) 
Capital expenditure ................................................................................................  

(329.6) 
27.4 
(99.3) 
(310.7) 

(309.2) 
44.3 
(109.2) 
(317.6) 

187 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At March 31, 
2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

At March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Reportable segment assets (i).................................................................................  8,551.8 

8,721.8 

8,851.3 

(i)  Excludes the available-for-sale financial asset. 

Reconciliation of reportable segment profit or loss to consolidated profit after income tax is as follows: 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Total adjusted profit for reportable segment ..........................................................  522.8 
Other items of profit or loss; 
One-off revenue adjustment (a) .............................................................................  
Consolidated profit after income tax .................................................  

- 
522.8 

569.3 

- 
569.3 

502.6 

57.8 
560.4 

(a)  The exceptional item in fiscal year 2012, relates to a one-off release of ticket sales revenue of €57.8 million, net of tax, 
due  to  a  change  in  accounting  estimates  relating  to  the  timing  of  revenue  recognition  for  unused  passenger  tickets 
which  was  made  as  a  result  of  the  availability  of  more  accurate  and  timely  data  obtained  through  system 
enhancements. 

Entity-wide disclosures: 

Geographical information for revenue by country of origin is as follows: 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Ireland ....................................................................................................................  532.4 
United Kingdom ....................................................................................................  1,253.6 
Other European countries ......................................................................................  3,250.7 
5,036.7 

471.3 
1,227.1 
3,185.6 
4,884.0 

387.2 
1,054.6 
2,948.4 
4,390.2 

Ancillary revenues included in total revenue above comprise: 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Non-flight scheduled..............................................................................................  1,012.4 
In-flight ..................................................................................................................  117.3 
Internet income ......................................................................................................  117.5 
1,247.2 

832.9 
109.8 
121.5 
1,064.2 

677.4 
106.7 
102.1 
886.2 

Non-flight  scheduled  revenue  arises  from  the  sale  of  rail  and  bus  tickets,  hotel  reservations,  car  hire 
and other sources, including excess baggage charges and administration fees, all directly attributable to the low-
fares business. 

All of the Company‘s operating profit arises from low-fares airline-related activities, its only business 
segment. The major revenue earning assets of the Company are its aircraft, which are registered in Ireland and 
therefore profits accrue principally in Ireland. Since the Company‘s aircraft fleet is flexibly employed across its 
route network in Europe, there is no suitable basis of allocating such assets and related liabilities to geographical 
segments.  

188 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18 

Staff numbers and costs  

The  average  weekly  number  of  staff,  including  the  executive  director,  during  the  year,  analysed  by 

category, was as follows: 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 

Flight and cabin crew.......................................................................................  8,706 
Sales, operations, management and administration .........................................   795 

9,501 

8,280 
779 

9,059 

7,656 
782 

8,438 

At March 31, 2014 the company had a team of 8,992 people (2013: 9,137; 2012: 8,388). 

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows: 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Staff and related costs .................................................................................................................  
Social welfare costs ....................................................................................................................  
Other pension costs (a) ...............................................................................................................  
Share based payments (b) ...........................................................................................................  

441.5 
18.7 
1.5 
1.9 
463.6 

412.3 
18.4 
2.9 
2.0 
435.6 

395.0 
18.1 
2.6 
(0.7) 
415.0 

(a)  Costs in respect of defined-contribution benefit plans and other pension arrangements were €2.6 million in 2014 (2013: 
€2.1 million; 2012: €1.9 million) partially offset by a net credit of €1.1 million associated with defined-benefit plans in 
2014 (2013: costs of €0.8 million; 2012: costs of  €0.7 million). (See Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements). 
(b)  The  net  credit  to  the  income  statement  in  2012  of  approximately  €0.7  million  comprises  a  €2.5  million  reversal  of 
previously  recognised  share-based  compensation  expense for  awards  that  did  not  vest,  offset  by  a  charge  of  €1.8 
million for the fair value of various share options granted in prior periods, which are being recognised in the income 
statement in accordance with employee services rendered. 

19 

Statutory and other information  

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Directors‟ emoluments: 
-Fees ..............................................................................................................................  0.5 
-Other emoluments, including bonus and pension contributions ...................................  1.8 
Total directors‘ emoluments ..........................................................................................  2.3 

Auditor‟s remuneration:  
- Audit services (i) .........................................................................................................  0.5 
- Tax advisory services (ii) ............................................................................................  0.3 
Total fees .......................................................................................................................  0.8 

0.3 
1.3 
1.6 

0.5 
0.3 
0.8 

0.3 
1.3 
1.6 

0.4 
0.4 
0.8 

189 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 

Included  within  the  above  total  fees,  the  following  fees  were 

payable to other KPMG firms outside of Ireland: 

Audit services ................................................................................................................   - 
Tax services ...................................................................................................................  0.2 
Total fees .......................................................................................................................  0.2 

Depreciation of owned property, plant and equipment ..................................................  333.9 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment held under finance 

leases..........................................................................................................................  17.9 
Operating lease charges, principally for aircraft.... ........................................................  101.5 

- 
0.2 
0.2 

311.2 

18.4 
98.2 

- 
0.3 
0.3 

294.3 

14.9 
90.7 

(i)  Audit  services  comprise  audit  work  performed  on  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  In  2014,  €1,000,  (2013: 

(ii) 

€1,000; 2012: €1,000) of audit fees relate to the audit of the Parent Company.  
 Tax  services  include  all  services,  except  those  services  specifically  related  to  the  audit  of  financial  statements, 
performed  by  the  independent  auditor‘s  tax  personnel,  supporting  tax-related  regulatory  requirements,  and  tax 
compliance and reporting. 

(a) Fees and emoluments - executive director 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Basic salary ....................................................................................................................   1.0 
Bonus (performance and target-related) .........................................................................   0.8 
1.8 

0.8 
0.5 
1.3 

0.8 
0.5 
1.3 

During  the  years  ended  March  31,  2014,  2013,  and  2012  Michael  O‘Leary  was  the  only  executive 

director. 

(b) Fees and emoluments – non-executive directors 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Fees 
David Bonderman ..........................................................................................................  0.10 
Michael Horgan .............................................................................................................  0.04 
- 
Klaus Kirchberger (i) .....................................................................................................  
Charles McCreevy .........................................................................................................  0.05 
Declan McKeon .............................................................................................................  0.05 
Kyran McLaughlin .........................................................................................................  0.05 
Dick Milliken (ii) ...........................................................................................................  0.03 
Julie O‘Neill  .................................................................................................................  0.05 
James Osborne ...............................................................................................................  0.05 
Louise Phelan ................................................................................................................  0.05 
- 
Paolo Pietrogrande (iii) ..................................................................................................  
0.47 

Emoluments 
Michael Horgan .............................................................................................................  0.04 
0.51 

- 
0.03 
0.04 
0.05 
0.05 
0.05 
- 
0.01 
0.05 
0.01 
0.02 
0.31 

0.04 
0.35 

- 
0.03 
0.03 
0.05 
0.05 
0.05 
- 
- 
0.05 
- 
0.03 
0.29 

0.04 
0.33 

 (i)  Klaus Kirchberger resigned on March 31, 2013 
(ii)  Dick Milliken joined the Board on July 26, 2013 
(iii)    Paolo Pietrogrande resigned on September 21, 2012   

190 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(c) Pension benefits 

From  October  1,  2008,  Michael  O‘Leary  was  no  longer  an  active  member  of  a  Company  defined-
benefit plan. The total accumulated accrued benefit  for Michael O‘Leary at March 31, 2014  was €0.1 million 
(2013: €0.1 million; 2012 €0.1 million).  Pension benefits have been computed in accordance with Section 6.8 
of the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange. Increases in transfer values of the accrued benefits have been 
calculated as at the year-end in accordance with version 1.1 of Actuarial Standard of Practice PEN-11. No non-
executive directors are members of the Company defined-benefit plan. 

Michael O‘Leary is a member of a defined-contribution plan. During the years ended March 31, 2014, 
2013, and 2012 the Company did not make contributions to the defined-contribution plan for Michael O‘Leary.  
No non-executive directors are members of the Company defined-contribution plan. 

 (d) Shares and share options 

(i) Shares 

Ryanair Holdings plc is listed on the Irish, London and NASDAQ stock exchanges.  

The  beneficial interests as at  March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 of the directors in office  at March 31, 

2014 and of their spouses and dependent children in the share capital of the Company are as follows: 

No. of Shares at March 31, 
2013 

2012 

2014 

7,655,671 
David Bonderman ......................................................................................................  
50,000 
Michael Horgan .........................................................................................................  
200,000 
Kyran McLaughlin .....................................................................................................  
10,000 
Dick Milliken .............................................................................................................  
51,081,256 
Michael O‘Leary ........................................................................................................  
310,256 
James Osborne ...........................................................................................................  
Louise Phelan ............................................................................................................  7,000 

9,230,671 
50,000 
200,000 
- 
51,081,256 
310,256 
- 

9,230,671 
50,000 
200,000 
- 
51,081,256 
510,256 
- 

(ii) Share options 

The share options held by each director in office at the end of fiscal 2014 were as follows: 

No. of Options at March 31, 
2013 

2014 

2012 

David Bonderman  ...................................................................................................................  
Michael Horgan  ......................................................................................................................  
Kyran McLaughlin ..................................................................................................................  
James Osborne  ........................................................................................................................  

25,000 
- 
- 
25,000 

25,000 
25,000 
25,000 
25,000 

25,000 
25,000 
25,000 
25,000 

These options were granted to these directors at an exercise price of €4.96 (the market value at the date of grant) during the 
2008 fiscal year and are exercisable between June 2012 and June 2014. 

Directors not referred to above held no shares or share options. 

In the 2014 fiscal  year the  Company incurred total share-based compensation expense  of €nil (2013: 

€0.01 million; 2012: €0.1 million) in relation to directors.  

191 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20  Finance expense  

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Interest payable on bank loans wholly repayable after five years ............................   82.3 
Interest arising on pension liabilities, net (see Note 21) ..........................................   0.9 
83.2 

99.1 
0.2 
99.3 

109.3 
(0.1) 
109.2 

21 

Pensions 

The Company accounts for pensions in accordance with IAS 19, ―Employee Benefits.‖ The Company 
applied IAS 19 (amendment 2011), ―Employee benefits‖ with effect from April 1, 2013. The Company has not 
restated  previously  recognised  amounts  for  the  years  ended  March  31,  2013  and  2012  due  to  this  change  in 
accounting policy. The Company has determined that any restatement of prior period amounts would not result 
in a material change in the previous recognised amounts. 

The Company operates defined-benefit and defined-contribution schemes. 

The  Company  funds the pension entitlements of certain employees through defined-benefit plans.  At  

March 31, 2014 there was one plan operated for eligible UK employees.  

 The Irish defined benefit plan was closed effective December 31, 2013. In the year ended March 31, 
2014,  the  Company  made  a  final  contribution  of  €12.5  million  into  the  Irish  defined  benefit  plan  which 
represented a full and final settlement of the Company‘s liability to contribute to the Irish defined benefit plan.  

The UK and Irish schemes were closed to new entrants on January 1, 2000.  In general, on retirement, a 
member is entitled to a pension calculated at 1/60th of the final pensionable salary for each year of pensionable 
service,  subject  to  a  maximum  of  40  years.  The  UK  plan  is  fully  funded  on  a  discontinuance  basis  and  the 
related  pension  costs  and  liabilities  are  assessed  in  accordance  with  the  advice  of  a  professionally  qualified 
actuary.  The  investments  of  the  UK  plan  at  March  31,  2014  consisted  of  units  held  in  independently 
administered funds. The most recent full actuarial valuations of the UK plan was carried out at January 1, 2011, 
in  accordance  with  local  regulatory  requirements  using  the  projected  unit  credit  method,  and  the  valuation 
reports are not available for public inspection. 

A  separate  annual  actuarial  valuation  has  been  performed  for  the  purposes  of  preparing  these  financial 
statements. The principal actuarial assumptions used for the purpose of this actuarial valuation were as follows: 

2014 

At March 31, 
2013 

2012 

% 
Discount rate used for Irish plan ..........................................................................................  - 
4.60 
Discount rate used for UK plan............................................................................................  
Return on plan assets for Irish plan ......................................................................................  - 
Return on plan assets for UK plan .......................................................................................  
7.14 
Rate of euro inflation ...........................................................................................................  - 
Rate of UK inflation ............................................................................................................  
3.30 
Future pension increases in Irish plan ..................................................................................  - 
Future pension increases in UK plan ...................................................................................  
3.20 
Future salary increases for Irish plan ...................................................................................  - 
1.75 
Future salary increases for UK plan  ....................................................................................  

% 
4.30 
4.40 
5.92 
6.52 
2.00 
3.30 
0.00 
3.20 
1.75 
1.75 

% 
5.00 
5.00 
6.15 
6.55 
2.00 
3.25 
0.00 
3.15 
2.00 
2.25 

The  Company  uses  certain  mortality  rate  assumptions  when  calculating  scheme  liabilities.  The 
mortality  assumptions  of  the  UK  scheme  have  been  based  on  the  ―SAPS‖  mortality  table  while  the  mortality 
assumptions of the Irish scheme for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 have been based on the mortality 
table 62%/70% PNM/FL00. Both mortality assumptions make allowance for future improvements in mortality 
rates. Retirement ages for scheme members are 60 for pilots and 65 for other staff.  

192 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The current life expectancies underlying the value of the scheme liabilities for the UK scheme are as 

follows: 

2014 

At March 31, 
2013 

2012 

Retiring at age 60: 
Male ...............................................................................................................................  26.6 
Female ...........................................................................................................................  28.9 
Retiring at age 65: 
Male ...............................................................................................................................  22.1 
Female ...........................................................................................................................  24.1 

26.4 
28.7 

21.9 
23.9 

26.4 
28.7 

21.9 
23.9 

The  amounts  recognised  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  in  respect  of  defined  benefit  plans  are  as 

follows: 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Present value of benefit obligations ...............................................................................  (11.5) 
Fair value of plan assets .................................................................................................  9.8 
Present value of net obligations .....................................................................................  (1.7) 
Related deferred tax asset ..............................................................................................  0.2 
Net pension liability .......................................................................................................  (1.5) 

(48.1) 
34.6 
(13.5) 
1.7 
(11.8) 

(42.2) 
30.3 
(11.9) 
1.5 
(10.4) 

The amounts recognised in the consolidated income statement in respect of our defined-benefit plans 

are as follows: 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Included in payroll costs 
Service cost .................................................................................................................   0.8 
Settlement gain ...........................................................................................................  (1.9) 
Net defined benefit pension (gain)/costs .....................................................................  (1.1) 

Included in finance expense 
Net finance expense ....................................................................................................   0.9 

0.9 
- 
0.9 

0.2 

0.7 
- 
0.7 

(0.1) 

Analysis of amounts included in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (―CSOCI‖); 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Return on scheme assets ..............................................................................................   0.1 
Experience gains/(loss) on scheme liabilities ...............................................................  
- 
Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of scheme  

liabilities ..................................................................................................................  (1.9) 
Actuarial loss recognised in the CSOCI .......................................................................  (1.8) 
Related deferred tax asset ............................................................................................   0.2 
Net actuarial losses recognised in the CSOCI ..............................................................  (1.6) 

2.0 
0.3 

(3.6) 
(1.3) 
0.2 
(1.1) 

(0.8) 
(0.8) 

(5.5) 
(7.1) 
0.8 
(6.3) 

193 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in the present value of the defined-benefit obligation of the plans are as follows: 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year ........................................................   48.1 
Service cost ..................................................................................................................   0.8 
Interest cost ..................................................................................................................   1.7 
Plan participants‘ contributions ...................................................................................   0.2 
Actuarial loss ...............................................................................................................   1.9 
Benefits paid ................................................................................................................   (0.7) 
Foreign exchange rate changes ....................................................................................   0.3 
Liabilities extinguished on closure of Irish defined benefit plan .................................  (40.8) 
Projected benefit obligation at end of year funded.......................................................   11.5 

42.2 
0.9 
2.1 
0.3 
3.5 
(0.8) 
(0.1) 
- 
48.1 

32.9 
0.6 
1.9 
0.3 
6.2 
(0.2) 
0.5 
- 
42.2 

Changes in fair values of the plans‘ assets are as follows: 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year .............................................................   34.6 
Expected return on plan assets ....................................................................................   0.4 
Interest income............................................................................................................   0.8 
Actuarial gain/(loss) on plan assets .............................................................................   0.1 
Employer contribution ................................................................................................   0.5 
Settlement on closure of Irish defined benefit plan .....................................................   12.5 
Plan participants‘ contributions ..................................................................................   0.2 
Benefits paid ...............................................................................................................   (0.7) 
Foreign exchange rate changes ...................................................................................   0.3 
Assets distributed on closure of Irish defined benefit plan .........................................  (38.9) 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year .......................................................................   9.8 

30.3 
1.9 
- 
2.0 
0.8 
- 
0.3 
(0.8) 
0.1 
- 
34.6 

27.9 
2.0 
- 
(0.8) 
0.7 
- 
0.3 
(0.2) 
0.4 
- 
30.3 

The fair value of the plans‘ assets at March 31 of each year is analysed as follows: 

2014 (i) 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 (ii) 
€M 

2012 (ii) 
€M 

Equities ........................................................................................................................   1.9 
Bonds ...........................................................................................................................   7.0 
Property .......................................................................................................................   0.1 
Other assets ..................................................................................................................   0.8 
Total fair value of plan assets ......................................................................................   9.8 

26.8 
5.8 
0.7 
1.3 
34.6 

22.5 
5.4 
0.7 
1.7 
30.3 

(i)  Amounts for the year ended March 31, 2014 relate to the UK plan only. 
(ii) Amounts for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 relate to both the Irish and UK plans combined. 

The plans‘ assets do not include any of our own financial instruments, nor any property occupied by, or 

other assets used by us. 

The  expected  long-term  rate  of  return  on  assets  of  7.14%  (2013:  6.52%;  2012:  6.55%)  for  the  UK 
scheme was calculated based on the assumptions of the following returns for each asset class: Equities 8.30% 
(2013:  7.50%;  2012:  7.50%);  Corporate  and  Overseas  Bonds  4.30%  (2013:  4.40%;  2012:  4.65%);  and  Other 
3.65% (2013: 2.85%; 2012: 3.00%). 

Since  there  are  no  suitable  euro-denominated  AA-rated  corporate  bonds,  the  expected  return  is 
estimated by adding a suitable risk premium to the rate available from government bonds. The assumptions are 
based on long-term expectations at the beginning of the reporting period and are expected to be relatively stable. 

194 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The history of the plans for the current and prior periods is as follows: 

2014 
€M 

2013 
€M 

At March 31, 
2012 
€M 

2011 
€M 

2010 
€M 

Difference between expected and actual 
return on assets ....................................................................................  
Expressed as a percentage of scheme assets ........................................  
Experience (loss)/gain on scheme liabilities ........................................  
Expressed as a percentage of scheme 
liabilities ..............................................................................................  

0.1 
1% 
- 

-% 

Total actuarial (losses)/gains ................................................................  
Expressed as a percentage of scheme 
liabilities ..............................................................................................  

(17%) 

(1.8) 

2.0 
6% 
0.3 

1% 

(1.3) 

(3%) 

(0.8) 
(3%) 
(0.8) 

(2%) 

(7.1) 

(17%) 

(0.3) 
(1%) 
0.9 

3% 

5.5 

17% 

5.6 
22% 
0.5 

1% 

- 

0% 

The Company expects to contribute approximately €0.2 million to our defined-benefit plan in 2014. 

Defined-contribution schemes 

The Company operates defined-contribution retirement plans in Ireland and the UK. The costs of these 
plans are  charged to the consolidated income  statement in the period in  which they are incurred. The pension 
cost of these defined-contribution plans was €2.6 million in 2014 (2013: €2.1 million; 2012: €1.9 million). 

22 

Earnings per share  

2014 

At March 31, 
2013 

2012 

Basic earnings per ordinary share (in euro cent) ..........................................................  36.96 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (in euro cent) .......................................................  36.86 
Number of ordinary shares (in Ms) used for EPS 
Basic  ...........................................................................................................................  1,414.6 
Diluted (a)  ...................................................................................................................  1,418.2 
______________ 
(a)  Details of share options in issue have been described more fully in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.  

1,443.1 
1,447.4 

39.45 
39.33 

1,473.7 
1,477.0 

38.03 
37.94 

See below for explanation of diluted number of ordinary shares. 

Diluted earnings per share takes account solely of the potential future exercise of share options granted 
under the Company‘s share option schemes. For the 2014 fiscal year, the weighted average number of shares in 
issue of 1,418.2 million includes weighted average share options assumed to be converted, and equal to a total 
of  3.6  million  shares.    For  the  2013  fiscal  year,  the  weighted  average  number  of  shares  in  issue  of  1,447.4 
million  includes  weighted  average  share  options  assumed  to  be  converted,  and  equal  to  a  total  of  4.3  million 
shares.  For  the  2012  fiscal  year,  the  weighted  average  number  of  shares  in  issue  of  1,477.0  million  includes 
weighted average share options assumed to be converted, and equal to a total of 3.3 million shares. 

23 

Commitments and contingencies 

Commitments 

In March 2013, the Group entered into a contract with Boeing (the ―2013 Boeing Contract‖) whereby 
the  Group  agree  to  purchase  175  Boeing  737-800  ―next-generation‖  aircraft  over  a  five  year  period  from 
calendar 2014 to 2018. 

In  April  2014,  the  Company  agreed  to  purchase  an  additional  5  Boeing  737-800  ―next-generation‖ 
aircraft for delivery in fiscal year 2016 on the same terms and conditions as the 2013 Boeing Contract bringing 
the total ―firm‖ new deliveries to 180 aircraft. 

195 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The table below details the firm aircraft delivery schedule at March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 for 

the Company pursuant to the 2013 Boeing contracts. 

Aircraft 
Delivered at 
March 31, 
2014 

Firm Aircraft 
Deliveries  
Fiscal 2014/ 
2015 

Firm 
Aircraft 
Deliveries  
Post Fiscal  
2014/2015 

Total “Firm” 
Aircraft 

2013 Contract .......................  
Total ......................................  

0 
0 

11 
11 

164 
164 

175 
175 

Basic price 
per 
aircraft 
(U.S.$ 
million) 

78.0 

Firm 
Aircraft 
Deliveries 
Fiscal 2013-
2014 at 
March 31, 
2013 

- 
- 

The  ―Basic  Price‖  (equivalent  to  a  standard  list  price  for  an  aircraft  of  this  type)  for  each  aircraft 
governed  by  the  2013  Boeing  contract  will  be  increased  by  (a)  an  estimated  U.S.$2.9  million  per  aircraft  for 
certain  ―buyer  furnished‖  equipment  the  Company  has  asked  Boeing  to  purchase  and  install  on  each  of  the 
aircraft,  and  (b)  an  ―Escalation  Factor‖  designed  to  increase  the  Basic  Price,  as  defined  in  the  purchase 
agreement,  of  any  individual  aircraft  by  applying  a  formula  which  reflects  increases  in  the  published  U.S. 
Employment Cost and Producer Price indices between the time the Basic Price was set and the period of 18 to 
24 months prior to the delivery of such aircraft. 

 Boeing  has  granted  Ryanair  certain  price  concessions  with  regard  to  the  Boeing  737-800  ―next 
generation‖  aircraft  as  part  of  the  Boeing  2013  Contract.  These  take  the  form  of  credit  memoranda  to  the 
Company for the amount of such concessions, which the Company may apply toward the purchase of goods and 
services from Boeing or toward certain payments, other than advance payments, in respect of the purchase of the 
aircraft under the various Boeing contracts. 

Boeing  and  CFMI  (the  manufacturer  of  the  engines  to  be  fitted  on  the  purchased  aircraft)  have  also 
agreed  to  give  the  Company  certain  allowances  in  addition  to  providing  other  goods  and  services  to  the 
Company on concessionary terms. These credit memoranda and allowances will effectively reduce the price of 
each  aircraft  to  the  Company.  As  a  result,  the  effective  price  of  each  aircraft  (the  purchase  price  of  the  new 
aircraft net of discounts received from Boeing) will be significantly below the Basic Price mentioned above. At 
March 31, 2014, the total potential commitment to acquire all 175 ―firm‖ aircraft, not taking such increases and 
decreases  into  account,  will  be  approximately  U.S.  $13.8  billion.    At  March  31,  2013,  the  total  potential 
commitment was U.S. $13.8 billion to acquire all 175 ―firm‖ aircraft. 

Operating leases 

The  Company  financed  76  of  the  Boeing  737-800  aircraft  delivered  between  December  2003  and 
March  2014  under  seven-year,  sale-and-leaseback  arrangements  with  a  number  of  international  leasing 
companies,  pursuant  to  which  each  lessor  purchased  an  aircraft  and  leased  it  to  Ryanair  under  an  operating 
lease. Between October 2010 and December 2012, 17 operating lease aircraft were returned to the lessor at the 
agreed maturity date of the lease. At March 31, 2014 Ryanair had 51 operating lease aircraft in the fleet.  As a 
result,  Ryanair  operates,  but  does  not  own,  these  aircraft.  Ryanair  has  no  right  or  obligation  to  acquire  these 
aircraft at the end of the relevant lease terms. 18  of these leases are denominated in euro and require Ryanair to 
make  fixed  rental  payments  over  the  term  of  the  leases.  33  remaining  operating  leases  are  U.S.  dollar-
denominated which require Ryanair to make fixed rental payments. The Company has an option to extend the 
initial period of seven  years  on  34 of the  51 remaining operating  lease aircraft as at March 31, 2014, on pre-
determined terms.  This includes 3 operating lease arrangements which are due to mature during the year ended 
March  31,  2015  but  have  been  extended  for  a  further  7  years.  The  following  table  sets  out  the  total  future 
minimum payments of leasing  51 aircraft (2013: 59 aircraft; 2012: 59 aircraft), ignoring  movement in interest 
rates, foreign currency and hedging arrangements, at March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively: 

196 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 

At March 31, 
2013 

2012 

Present 
value of 
Minimum 
payments 
€M 

Present 
value of 
Minimum 
payments 
€M 

Minimum 
payments 
€M 

Minimum 
payments 
€M 

Minimum 
payments 
€M 

Present 
value of 
minimum 
payments 
€M 

Due within one year ................  
Due between one and five 
years ........................................  
Due after five years .................  
Total ........................................  

118.7 

292.1 
61.9 
472.7 

112.7 

246.5 
44.4 
403.6 

107.2 

342.4 
94.5 
544.1 

98.4 

258.0 
53.3 
409.7 

116.9 

328.0 
160.9 
605.8 

106.4 

232.5 
87.4 
426.3 

Finance leases 

The  Company  financed  30  Boeing  737-800  aircraft  delivered  between  March  2005  and  March  2014 
with 13-year euro-denominated Japanese Operating Leases with Call Options (―JOLCOs‖). These structures are 
accounted for as finance leases and are initially recorded at fair value in the Company‘s balance sheet. Under 
each of these contracts, Ryanair has a call option to purchase the aircraft at a pre-determined price after a period 
of 10.5 years, which it may exercise. 

The following table sets out the total future minimum payments of leasing 30 aircraft (2013: 30 

aircraft; 2012: 30 aircraft) under JOLCOs at March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively: 

2014 

At March 31, 
2013 

2012 

Present 
value of 
Minimum 
payments 
€M 

Present 
value of 
Minimum 
payments 
€M 

Minimum 
payments 
€M 

Minimum 
payments 
€M 

Minimum 
payments 
€M 

Present 
value of 
minimum 
payments 
€M 

Due within one year ................  
Due between one and five 
years ........................................  
Due after five years .................  
Total minimum lease 
payments .................................  
Less amounts allocated to 
future financing costs ..............  
Present value of minimum 
lease payments ........................  

78.1 

408.6 
248.4 

735.1 

(18.2) 

716.9 

73.5 

250.0 
83.9 

407.4 

- 

407.4 

58.1 

359.1 
365.7 

782.9 

(20.3) 

762.6 

53.4 

260.9 
146.5 

460.8 

- 

460.8 

63.2 

318.9 
484.0 

866.1 

(60.1) 

806.0 

51.0 

243.6 
217.2 

511.8 

- 

511.8 

Commitments resulting from the use of derivative financial instruments by the Company are described 

in Notes 5 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Contingencies 

The Company is engaged in litigation arising in the ordinary course of its business. Management does 
not  believe  that  any  such  litigation  will  individually  or  in  aggregate  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the 
financial  condition  of  the  Company.  Should  the  Company  be  unsuccessful  in  these  litigation  actions, 
management believes the possible liabilities then arising cannot be determined but are not expected to materially 
adversely affect the Company‘s results of operations or financial position. 

197 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In February 2004, the European Commission ruled that Ryanair had received illegal state aid from the 
Walloon regional government in connection  with its establishment of a low cost base at  Brussels (Charleroi). 
Ryanair advised the regional government that it believed no money was repayable as the cost of establishing the 
base exceeded the amount determined to be illegal state aid. Ryanair also appealed the decision of the European 
Commission to the European Court of First Instance (―CFI‖), requesting that the Court annul the decision on the 
basis  that  Ryanair‘s  agreement  at  Brussels  (Charleroi)  was  consistent  with  agreements  at  similar  privately 
owned airports and therefore did not constitute illegal state aid. The Company placed €4.0 million in an escrow 
account pending the outcome of this appeal.  In December  2008, the CFI  annulled the Commission‘s decision 
against Charleroi Airport and Ryanair was repaid the €4 million that the Commission had claimed was illegal 
state aid. A further action taken by the Belgian government for €2.3 million has also been withdrawn. 

 Ryanair  is  facing  similar  legal  challenges  with  respect  to  agreements  with  certain  other  airports.  In 
January  2010,  the  European  Commission  concluded  the  Bratislava  state  aid  investigation  with  a  finding  that 
Ryanair‘s agreement with Bratislava airport involved no aid.  In July 2012 the European Commission found that 
Ryanair‘s  arrangement  with  Tampere  airport  contained  no  aid.    In  February  2014  the  European  Commission 
reached the  same conclusion  in respect of Marseille,  Aarhus and Berlin (Schönefeld) investigations.   On July 
23,  2014  the  European  Commission  announced  a  ‗no  state  aid‘  decision  in  respect  of  Dusseldorf  (Weeze) 
airport, as well as findings of state aid to Ryanair in its arrangements with Pau, Nimes and Angouleme airports, 
ordering  Ryanair  to  repay  a  total  of  approximately  €9.7m  of  alleged  aid.    Ryanair  will  appeal  these  ‗aid‘ 
decisions  to  the  EU  General  Court  where  proceedings  are  expected  to  take  between  2  and  4  years.    The 
remaining  fourteen  investigations  involving  Ryanair  and  Lübeck,  Alghero,  Frankfurt  (Hahn),  Zweibrücken, 
Altenburg,  Klagenfurt,  (Stockholm)  Vasteras,  Paris  (Beauvais),  La  Rochelle,  Carcassonne,  Cagliari,  Brussels 
(Charleroi), Girona and Reus airports are ongoing and Ryanair currently expects that they will conclude mid to 
late 2014, with any European Commission decisions appealable to the EU General Court. 

State aid complaints by Lufthansa about Ryanair‘s cost base at Frankfurt (Hahn) have been rejected by 
German  courts,  as  have  similar  complaints  by  Air  Berlin  in  relation  to  Ryanair‘s  arrangement  with  Lubeck 
airport, but following a German Supreme Court ruling on a procedural issue in early  2011, these cases will be  
re-heard  by  lower  courts.  In  addition,  Ryanair  has  been  involved  in  legal  challenges  including  allegations  of 
state aid at Alghero,  Berlin (Schönefeld) and Marseille airports. The Alghero case (initiated by Air One) was 
dismissed in its entirety in April 2011. The Berlin (Schönefeld) case (initiated by Germania) was discontinued  
following  the  European  Commission‘s  finding  in  February  2014  that  Ryanair‘s  arrangement  with  the  airport 
contained no state aid.  The Marseille case was withdrawn by the plaintiffs (subsidiaries of Air France) in May 
2011. 

The  Company  has  also  entered  into  a  series  of  interest  rate  swaps  to  hedge  against  fluctuations  in 
interest rates for certain floating-rate financing arrangements. Cash deposits have been set aside as collateral for 
the  counterparty‘s  exposure  to  risk  of  fluctuations  on  long-term  derivative  and  other  financing  arrangements 
with Ryanair (restricted cash) (see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for further details). Additional 
numerical information on these swaps and on other derivatives held by the Company is set out in Notes 5 and 11 
to the consolidated financial statements. 

198 

 
24 

Note to cash flow statement 

2014 
€M 

At March 31, 
2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Net debt at beginning of year .......................................................................................  60.7 
489.2 
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in year .............................................  
(795.1) 
(Decrease)/increase in financial assets > 3 months ......................................................  
Decrease in restricted cash ...........................................................................................  
(11.4) 
414.7 
Net cash flow from decrease in debt ............................................................................  
Movement in net funds resulting from cash flows .......................................................  97.4 
158.1 
Net funds/(debt) at end of year ....................................................................................  
Analysed as: 
Cash and cash equivalents, financial assets and restricted cash ...................................  
Total borrowings* ........................................................................................................  
Net funds/(debt) ...........................................................................................................  

3,241.7 
(3,083.6) 
158.1 

*includes both current and non-current maturities of debt. 

25 

Dividends and share buy-backs  

(109.6) 
(1,467.4) 
1,521.2 
(10.4) 
126.9 
170.3 
60.7 

3,559.0 
(3,498.3) 
60.7 

(708.8) 
680.0 
(97.2) 
(7.8) 
24.2 
599.2 
(109.6) 

3,515.6 
(3,625.2) 
(109.6) 

In the  year ended March 31, 2014 the Company bought back 69.5 million ordinary shares (including 
just over 6.0 million American Depository Receipts (ADR‘s) which each represented five ordinary shares)  at a 
total cost of €481.7 million.  This is equivalent to approximately 4.8% of the Company‘s issued share capital at 
March 31, 2013. All ordinary shares repurchased have been cancelled.  Accordingly, share capital decreased by 
69.5 million ordinary shares with a nominal value of €0.4 million and the capital redemption reserve increased 
by  a  corresponding  €0.4  million.    The  capital  redemption  reserve  is  required  to  be  created  under  Irish  law  to 
preserve permanent capital in the Parent Company.   

On  June  20,  2013  the  Company  detailed  plans  to  return  up  to  €1.0  billion  to  shareholders  over  the 
following two years. At March 31, 2014 €481.7 million has been completed via share buybacks and  up to €520 
million  in  special  dividends  is  planned  to  be  returned  in  the  fiscal  year  2015  (subject  to  profitability  and 
shareholder approval at the AGM on September 25, 2014). 

26 

Post-balance sheet events  

On  April  30,  2014,  the  Company  agreed  to  purchase  an  additional  5  Boeing  737  800  ―Next 
Generation‖  aircraft  for  delivery  in  fiscal  2016,  bringing  the  total  number  of  aircraft  to  be  purchased  from 
Boeing to 180 for delivery between fiscal year 2015 and 2019, with a list value of approximately $14.1 billion.  

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company entered into 8 short-term aircraft leases between 
May and September 2014 to support the capacity requirements prior to delivery of new aircraft in September 
2014. 

On May 19, 2014, the Company indicated that it plans to pay a special dividend of up to €520 million 
in  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  year  2015,  subject  to  shareholder  approval  at  its  annual  general  meeting  on 
September 25, 2014. 

On  June  10,  2014,  Ryanair  issued  an  unsecured  €850.0  million  eurobond  at  a  fixed  coupon  of 
1.875%,  fixed  for  7  years.  Under  Ryanair‘s  €3  billion  EMTN  program  Ryanair  Holdings  guarantees  any 
issuance of notes,  including Ryanair‘s issuance of an €850.0 million eurobond in June 2014. 

199 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27 

Subsidiary undertakings and related party transactions 

The following is the principal subsidiary undertaking of Ryanair Holdings plc: 

Name 

Ryanair Limited (a) .....................  

Effective date of 
acquisition/incorporation 

Registered 
Office 

Nature of 
Business 

August 23, 1996 
(acquisition) 

Airside Business Park 
Swords 
Co Dublin, Ireland. 

Airline operator 

(a)  Ryanair Limited is wholly owned by Ryanair Holdings plc. 

Information regarding all other subsidiaries will be filed with the Company‘s next Irish Annual Return 

as provided for by Section 16(3) of the Irish Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986. 

In  accordance  with  the  basis  of  consolidation  policy,  as  described  in  Note  1  of  these  consolidated 
financial  statements,  the  subsidiary  undertaking  referred  to  above  has  been  consolidated  in  the  financial 
statements of Ryanair Holdings plc for the years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. 

The  total  amount  of  remuneration  paid  to  senior  key  management  (defined  as  the  executive  team 
reporting to the Board of Directors) and directors amounted to €7.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 
2014, (2013: €7.1 million; 2012: €5.0 million), the majority of which comprises short-term employee benefits. 

Year ended  
March 31,  
2014 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31,  
2013 
€M 

Year ended  
March 31,  
2012 
€M 

Basic salary and bonus ...................................................................................................  6.8 
Pension contributions .....................................................................................................  0.1 
Share-based compensation expense (a) ..........................................................................  1.0 
7.9 

6.0 
0.1 
1.0 
7.1 

5.9 
0.1 
(1.0) 
5.0 

(a)  In  the  year  ended  March  31,  2012,  the  net  credit  to  the  income  statement  in  the  year  comprises  a 
reversal of previously recognised share-based compensation expense for awards that did not vest, offset 
by  a  charge  for  the  fair  value  of  various  share  options  granted  in  prior  periods, which  are  being 
recognised within the income statement in accordance with employee services rendered. 

28 

  Date of approval 

The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on  

July 25, 2014. 

200 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
………………………………………………..   ………………………………………… 

……………………………………………….. 

…………………………………………………………. 

Company Balance Sheet 

At March 31, 

Note 

2014 
€M 

2013 
€M 

2012 
€M 

Non-current assets 
Investments in subsidiaries  ............ .................................................................... 

30 

105.3 

103.4 

101.5 

Current assets 
Loans and receivables from subsidiaries .................................................................... 
Cash and cash equivalents .................................... .............................................. 

31 

1,214.1 
……………………………… 
2.6 

979.8 
2.2 

1,517.5 
2.1 

Total assets .......................................................................................................  

          1,322.0 

1,085.4 

1,621.1 

Current liabilities 
Amounts due to subsidiaries ..............................................................................   .................................................................... 

35.2 

35.2 

32 

35.2 

Shareholders‟ equity  
Issued share capital ............................................................................................   .................................................................... 
Share premium account .....................................................................................   .................................................................... 
Capital redemption reserve ................................................................................  
Retained earnings ...............................................................................................   .................................................................... 
Other reserves  ...................................................................................................   .................................................................... 

9.2 
687.8 
0.8 
338.3 
14.1 

8.8 
704.2 
1.2 
563.6 
9.0 

9.3 
666.4 
0.7 
888.0 
21.5 

Shareholders‟ equity ........................................................................................  

1,286.8 

1,050.2 

1,585.9 

Total liabilities and shareholders‟ equity .......................................................  

1,322.0 

1,085.4 

1,621.1 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

On behalf of the Board 

M. O‘Leary 
Director 

July 25, 2014. 

D. Bonderman 
Director 

201 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
               
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Cash Flows 

Year ended 
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year ended 
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year ended 
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Operating activities 
Profit for the year ................................................................ . 
Net cash provided by operating activities 

Investing activities 
(Increase)/decrease in loans to subsidiaries .........................  

Net cash (used in)/from investing activities .....................  

Financing activities 
Shares purchased under share buy-back programme ...........  

700.0 
700.0 

(234.3) 

(234.3) 

(481.7) 

Dividend paid ......................................................................  
Net proceeds from shares issued ..........................................                     16.4 
(465.3) 

Net cash (used in)/from financing activities .....................  

- 

- 
- 

537.7 

537.7 

(67.5) 

(491.5) 

21.4 

(537.6) 

950.0 
950.0 

(834.5) 

115.5 

(124.6) 

- 

7.1 

(117.5) 

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ............  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year ..............   

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year ........................   

0.4 

2.2 

2.6 

0.1 

                  (2.0) 

2.1 

                    4.1 

2.2 

                    2.1 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

202 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Changes in Shareholders‟ Equity 

Ordinary 
Shares 
M 
1,489.6 

Issued 
Share 
Capital 
€M 

9.5 

Share 
Premium 
Retained 
Account  Earnings 

€M 
659.3 

€M 

59.6 

Capital 
Redemption 
Shares 
€M 

Other 
Reserves 
€M 

0.5 

25.2 

Balance at March 31, 2011…………….. 
Comprehensive income  
Profit for the year……..………….…...… 
Total comprehensive income…………….. 
Transactions with owners of the 
Company, recognised directly in equity 
Issue of ordinary equity shares…………… 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares……  
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary  
shares…………………………………… 
Share-based payments……………………. 
Transfer of exercised and expired share 
based awards……………………………... 
Balance at March 31, 2012……………... 
Comprehensive income 
Profit for the year……………………....... 
Total comprehensive income…………….. 
Transactions with owners of the    
Company, recognised directly in equity 
Issue of ordinary equity shares…………… 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares……  
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary  
shares…………………………………… 
Share-based payments……………………. 
Transfer of exercised and expired share 
based awards……………………………... 
Dividend paid……………………………... 
Balance at March 31, 2013…………….. 
Comprehensive income 
Profit for the year……………………....... 
Total comprehensive income…………….. 
Transactions with owners of the 
Company, recognised directly in equity 
Issue of ordinary equity shares…………… 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares……  
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary  
shares….………………………………… 
Share-based payments……………………. 
Transfer of exercised and expired share 
based awards……………………………... 
Balance at March 31, 2014…………….. 

- 
- 

2.5 
- 

(36.5) 
- 

- 
1,455.6 

- 
- 

6.5 
- 

(15.0) 
- 

- 
- 
1,447.1 

- 
- 

5.7 
- 

(69.5) 
- 

- 
1,383.3 

- 
- 

- 
- 

(0.2) 
- 

- 
9.3 

- 
- 

- 
- 

(0.1) 
- 

- 
- 
9.2 

- 
- 

- 
- 

(0.4) 
- 

- 
8.8 

- 
- 

950.0 
950.0 

7.1 
- 

- 
(124.6) 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
666.4 

3.0 
888.0 

- 
- 

- 
- 

21.4 
- 

- 
(67.5) 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 
687.8 

9.3 
(491.5) 
338.3 

- 
- 

700.0 
700.0 

16.4 
- 

- 
(481.7) 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
704.2 

7.0 
563.6 

- 
- 

- 
- 

0.2 
- 

- 
0.7 

- 
- 

- 
- 

0.1 
- 

- 
- 
0.8 

- 
- 

- 
- 

0.4 
- 

- 
1.2 

Total 
€M 
754.1 

950.0 
950.0 

7.1 
(124.6) 

- 
(0.7) 

- 
1,585.9 

- 
- 

21.4 
(67.5) 

- 
1.9 

- 
(491.5) 
1,050.2 

700.0 
700.0 

16.4 
(481.7) 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
(0.7) 

(3.0) 
21.5 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
1.9 

(9.3) 
- 
14.1 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
1.9 

- 
1.9 

(7.0) 
9.0 

- 
1,286.8 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

203 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes forming part of the Company Financial Statements 

29         Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies 

The  Company  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Accounting 
Standards and International Reporting Standards (collectively ―IFRS‖) as adopted by the European Union (EU), 
which  are  effective  for  the  year  ended  and  as  at  March  31,  2014.    In  addition  to  complying  with  its  legal 
obligation to comply with IFRS as adopted by the EU, the consolidated financial statements comply with IFRS 
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (―(IASB‖).  The consolidated financial  statements 
have also been prepared in accordance  with the  Companies  Acts,  1963 to 2013.  On publishing  parent entity 
financial statements together with group financial statements the Company is taking advantage of the exemption 
contained  in  Section  148(8)  of  the  Companies  Act,  1963  not  to  present  its  individual  income  statement, 
statement of comprehensive income and related notes that form a part of these approved financial statements. 

The Company financial statements are presented in euro millions, being its functional currency. They are 
prepared on an historical cost basis except for certain share based payment transactions, which are based on fair 
values determined at grant date. 

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  IFRS  requires  management  to  make 
judgements,  estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the  application  of  policies  and  reported  amounts  of  assets, 
liabilities, income and expenses.  These estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience 
and various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis 
of making the judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other 
sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. These underlying assumptions are reviewed 
on  an  ongoing  basis.  Revisions  to  accounting  estimates  are  recognised  in  the  period  in  which  the  estimate  is 
revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if these are also 
affected. Principal sources of estimation uncertainty have been set out in the critical accounting policy section 
in  Note  1  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  Such  uncertainties  may  impact  the  carrying  value  of 
investments in subsidiaries at future dates. 

Statement of compliance  

The Company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU.  In 
addition  to  complying  with  its  legal  obligation  to  comply  with  IFRS  as  adopted  by  the  EU,    the  Company 
financial statements comply  with IFRS as issued by the  IASB.  The Company  financial statements have also 
been prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2013. 

The  directors  have  reviewed  all  new  or  revised  IFRS  standards  and  IFRIC  interpretations,  effective  for 
future financial years,  as set forth in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, and have concluded their 
adoption will not have a significant impact on the parent entity financial statements. 

Share-based payments  

The  Company  accounts  for  the  fair  value  of  share  options  granted  to  employees  of  a  subsidiary  as  an 
increase in its investment in that subsidiary. The fair value of such options is determined in a consistent manner 
to  that  set  out  in  the  Group  share-based  payment  accounting  policy  and  as  set  out  in  Note  15  (c)  to  the 
consolidated financial statements. 

Income taxes  

Income taxes are accounted for by the Company in a manner consistent to that set out in the Group income 

tax accounting policy. 

Financial assets  

The Company holds investments in subsidiary companies, which are carried at cost less any impairments. 

204 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guarantees  

The Company occasionally guarantees certain liabilities of subsidiary companies. These are considered to 
be insurance arrangements and are accounted for as such i.e. a contingent liability until such time as it becomes 
probable  that  the  Company  will  be  required  to  make  a  payment  under  the  guarantee.  Additional  details  are 
provided in Note 34 to the company financial statements. 

Loans and borrowings 

All  loans  and  borrowings  are  initially  recorded  at  the  fair  value  of  consideration  received,  net  of 
attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, non-current interest bearing loans are measured 
at amortised cost, using the effective interest yield methodology. 

30    Investments in subsidiaries 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Balance at start of year 
New investments in subsidiaries by way of share option 
grant to subsidiary employees ................................................................................  
Reversal of unvested cumulative share based expense ...........................................  
Balance at end of year 

1.9 
- 
105.3 

103.4 

101.5 

1.9 
- 
103.4 

102.2 

1.8 
(2.5) 
101.5 

31    Loans and receivables from subsidiaries 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Due from Ryanair Limited (subsidiary)  ................................................................  

1,214.1 
1,214.1 

979.8 
979.8 

1,517.5 
1,517.5 

All amounts due from subsidiaries are interest free and repayable upon demand. 

32   Amounts due to subsidiaries 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2014 
€M 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2013 
€M 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2012 
€M 

Due to Ryanair Limited ..........................................................................................  

35.2 
35.2 

35.2 
35.2 

35.2 
35.2 

At  March  31,  2014,  Ryanair  Holdings  plc  had  borrowings  of  €35.2  million  (2013:  €35.2  million;  2012: 

€35.2 million) from Ryanair Limited. The loan is interest free and repayable on demand.  

33    Financial instruments 

The  Company  does  not  undertake  hedging  activities  on  behalf  of  itself  or  other  companies  within  the 

Group. Financial instruments in the Company primarily take the form of loans to subsidiary undertakings. 

205 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts due to or from subsidiary undertakings (primarily Ryanair Limited) in the form of inter-company 
loans are interest free and are repayable upon demand and further details of these have been given in  Notes 31 
and  32  of  the  parent  entity  financial  statements.  These  inter-company  balances  are  eliminated  in  the  group 
consolidation. 

The euro is the functional and presentation currency of the Company‘s balance sheet and all transactions 
entered  into  by  the  Company  are  euro  denominated.  As  such,  the  Company  does  not  have  any  significant 
foreign currency risk. 

The credit risk associated with the Company‘s financial assets principally relates to  the credit risk of the 
Ryanair  group  as  a  whole.  During  the  year  ended  March  31,  2014,  Ryanair  received  a  BBB+  (stable)  credit 
rating  from  Standard  and  Poor‘s  and  in  June  2014,  Fitch  Ratings  also  issued  a  similar  credit  rating  on  the 
Company.  Additionally  the  Company  had  guaranteed  certain  of  its  subsidiary  company  liabilities.  Details  of 
these arrangements are given in Note 34 to the company financial statements. 

34    Contingencies 

 a)  The  Company  has  provided  €4,803.4  million  (2013:  €5,973.6  million;  2012:  €5,503.4  million)  in 
letters of guarantee to secure obligations of subsidiary undertakings in respect of loans, bank advances and long 
dated foreign currency transactions. 

b)    In  order  to  avail  itself  of  the  exemption  contained  in  Section  17  of  the  Companies  (Amendment) 
Act,  1986,  the  holding  company,  Ryanair  Holdings  plc,  has  guaranteed  the  liabilities  of  its  subsidiary 
undertakings  registered  in  Ireland.  As  a  result,  the  subsidiary  undertakings  have  been  exempted  from  the 
provisions of Section 7 of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986. Details of the Group‘s principal subsidiaries 
have  been  included  at  Note  27. The  Irish  subsidiaries  of  the  Group  covered  by  the  Section  17  exemption  are 
listed at Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements also. Eight additional Irish subsidiaries covered by this 
exemption, which are not listed as principal subsidiaries at Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements, are 
Airport Marketing Services Limited, FRC Investments Limited, Coinside Limited and Mazine Limited. 

35    Dividends  

Please refer to Note 25 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

36  Post-balance sheet events 

Please refer to Note 26 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

37  Date of approval 

The Company financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on July 25, 2014. 

206 

 
 
 
 
  
Chairman 

Chief Executive 

Directors 

Secretary 

Registered Office 

Auditors 

Principal Bankers 

Solicitors &Attorneys at Law 

Directors and Other Information 

D. Bonderman 
M. Horgan 
C. McCreevy 
D. McKeon 
K. McLaughlin 
D. Milliken 
M. O‘Leary 
J. O‘Neill 
J. Osborne 
L. Phelan 

J. Komorek 

Airside Business Park 
Swords 
Co. Dublin 
Ireland 

KPMG – Chartered Accountants 
1 Stokes Place 
St. Stephens Green 
Dublin 2 
Ireland 

Barclays Bank Plc 
2 Park Place 
Upper Hatch Street 
Dublin 2 
Ireland 

Bank of Ireland 
Dublin Airport 
Co. Dublin 
Ireland 

A&L Goodbody - Solicitors 
International Financial Services Centre 
North Wall Quay 
Dublin 1 
Ireland 

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP 
One Liberty Plaza 
New York, NY 10006, United States 

207 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      APPENDIX A 

GLOSSARY 

Certain  of  the  terms  included  in  the  section  on  Selected  Operating  and  Other  Data  and  elsewhere  in  this 
annual  report  on  Form  20-F  have  the  meanings  indicated  below  and  refer  only  to  Ryanair‘s  scheduled  passenger 
service. 

Available Seat Miles (―ASMs‖) ....................   Represents the number of seats available for passengers multiplied 

by the number of miles those seats were flown.  

Average Booked Passenger Fare ...................   Represents  the  average  fare  paid  by  a  fare-paying  passenger  who 
has booked a ticket. 
Average Daily Flight Hour Utilization ..........   Represents the average number of flight hours flown in service per 

day per aircraft for the total fleet of operated aircraft. 

Average Daily Block Hour Utilization ..........   Represents the average number of block hours flown in service per 

day per average number of aircraft flown. 

Average Fuel Cost Per U.S. Gallon ...............   Represents the average cost per U.S. gallon of jet fuel for the fleet 
(including  fueling  charges)  after  giving  effect  to  fuel  hedging 
arrangements. 

Average Length of Passenger Haul ...............   Represents the average number of  miles traveled by a  fare-paying 

passenger. 

Ancillary Revenue per Booked Passenger ....   Represents the average revenue earned per booked passenger flown 

from ancillary services. 

Average Yield per ASM ................................   Represents  the  average  flown  passenger  fare  revenue  for  each 

available seat mile (ASM). 

Average Yield per RPM ................................   Represents  the  average  passenger  fare  revenue  for  each  revenue 
passenger mile (RPM), or each mile a revenue passenger has flown. 
Baggage Commissions ..................................   Represents  the  commissions  payable  to  airports  on  the  revenue 
collected  at  the  airports  for  excess  baggage  and  airport  baggage 
fees. 

Booked Passenger Load Factor .....................   Represents  the  total  number  of  seats  sold  as  a  percentage  of  total 

seat capacity on all sectors flown. 

Break-even Load Factor ................................   Represents  the  number  of  RPMs  at  which  passenger  revenues 
would  have  been  equal  to  operating  expenses  divided  by  ASMs 
(based  on  Average  Yield  per  RPM).  For  the  purposes  of  this 
calculation,  the  number  of  RPMs  at  which  passenger  revenues 
would  have  been  equal  to  operating  expenses  is  calculated  by 
dividing operating expenses by Average Revenue per RPM. 

Cost Per ASM (―CASM‖) .............................   Represents  operating  expenses  (excluding  ancillary  costs)  divided 

by ASMs. 

Cost Per Booked Passenger ...........................   Represents  operating  expenses  divided  by  revenue  passengers 

booked. 

Net Margin ....................................................   Represents profit after taxation as a percentage of total revenues. 
Number of Airports Served ...........................   Represents the number of airports to/from which the carrier offered 

scheduled service at the end of the period. 

Number of Owned Aircraft Operated ............   Represents the number of aircraft owned and operated at the end of 

the period. 
Operating Margin ..........................................   Represents operating profit as a percentage of total revenues. 
Part 145 .........................................................   The  European  regulatory  standard  for  aircraft  maintenance 

established by the European Aviation Safety Agency. 

Revenue Passenger Miles (―RPMs‖) .............   Represents  the  number  of  miles  flown  by  booked  fare-paying 

passengers.  

Revenue Passengers Booked .........................   Represents the number of fare-paying passengers booked. 
Sectors Flown ................................................   Represents the number of passenger flight sectors flown. 

208 

 
 
209