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Ryanair Holdings plc

ryaay · NASDAQ Industrials
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Ticker ryaay
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Sector Industrials
Industry Airlines, Airports & Air Services
Employees 10,000+
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FY2018 Annual Report · Ryanair Holdings plc
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PAGE  CONTENTS 
assets   

2 

3 

4 

5 

9 

13 

28 

37 

40 

42 

48 

50 

53 

59 

73 

95 

98 

  Financial Highlights 

  Key Statistics 

  Chairman’s Report 

  Chief Executive’s Report 

  Directors’ Report  

  Corporate Governance Report 

  Environmental and Social Report 

  Report of the Remuneration Committee on Directors’ Remuneration 

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

  Presentation of Financial and Certain Other Information 

  Detailed Index* 

  Key Information 

  Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

Information on the Company 

  Operating and Financial Review 

  Critical Accounting Policies 

111 

  Directors, Senior Management and Employees 

120 

  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions 

121 

  Financial Information 

127 

  Additional Information 

138 

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

143 

  Controls and Procedures 

146 

  Consolidated Financial Statements 

201 

  Company Financial Statements 

207 

  Directors and Other Information 

208 

  Appendix 

*See Index on page 50 and 51 for detailed table of contents. 
Information on the Company is available online via the internet at our website, http://corporate.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 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 

 
 
  
 
3 

 
 
 
Dear Shareholders, 

Chairman’s Report 

Last year, despite difficult trading conditions caused by overcapacity in Europe, a weaker fare environment, rising 
fuel  prices,  and  our  recovery  from  the  September  2017  rostering  situation,  Ryanair  delivered  another  strong 
performance.  Highlights of the year include: 

•  Profit after tax increased by 10% to €1.45bn 
•  Traffic grew 9% to over 130m, despite grounding 25 Winter aircraft  
•  Average fare fell 3% to just €39.40 
•  Unit costs were cut by 1% (ex-fuel they rose +3%)  
•  Ryanair Labs stimulated record ancillary spend (+4% per guest)  
•  We took delivery of 50 B737 aircraft, bringing the year-end fleet to over 430 units  
•  Ryanair created 1,500 new jobs, and over 600 promotions  
•  New 5 year pay deals were concluded with most of our pilots and cabin crew  
•  Over €800m was returned to shareholders via share buybacks  

Including last  year’s  share buyback,  we  have purchased (and cancelled) approximately  25% of share capital since 
2008 at an average price of just over €9.60 per share.  We have delivered strong EPS growth over that period (+15% 
last year).  In February, your Board approved a further €750m share buyback program which will, subject to market 
conditions, be completed by the end of October. Following completion of this latest distribution, we will have returned 
over €6bn to shareholders since 2008. 

I welcome our new Directors, Ms. Emer Daly and Ms. Roisin Brennan who joined the Board in December 2017 and 
May 2018 respectively.  Both Ms. Daly and Ms. Brennan will stand for election at the AGM.  I also want to express 
my gratitude to Charlie McCreevy and Declan McKeon who have decided not to go forward for re-election at the next 
AGM and will retire from the Board.  

I wish to thank the 14,500 highly skilled aviation professionals at Ryanair who strive to deliver the lowest fares, the 
best on-time performance, and an ever-improving customer experience for the 130m guests who chose to fly  with 
Ryanair last year.   

The Board and people of Ryanair express their deepest sympathy to the family and many friends of James Osborne, 
who served as a Director of Ryanair for 21 years, on his sudden and untimely passing in August 2017. We all miss 
him greatly.  

Yours sincerely, 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive’s Report 

Dear Shareholders, 

We are pleased to present Ryanair’s 2018 Annual Report.  Over the past year we grew traffic 9% to 130m guests, by 
once again cutting fares (down 3%), and saving our guests over €150m.  More importantly, we reduced unit costs by 
1%, so even at these lower prices, profit after tax (PAT) grew 10% to a record of €1.45bn, a net margin of 20%.  This 
was a creditable performance by a robust business model in a difficult trading environment caused by overcapacity in 
Europe, weaker fares, rising fuel prices, and the recovery from our September 2017 pilot rostering failure.  Despite 
these headwinds, we grew our load factor to an industry-leading 95%, concluded new 5 year pay deals with most of 
our pilots and cabin crew, and returned over €800m to shareholders via share buybacks. 

September 2017 Pilot Rostering Failure 

In September 2017 we suffered a systemic failure in our pilot rostering function which led to rosters being issued up 
to 4 weeks in advance with some 4% of duties uncovered.  The principal cause of this breakdown was an early 2017 
agreement with the IAA to implement a 9 month transition period to move from a fiscal FTL (flight time limitation) 
year ending in March 2017 to a calendar FTL year commencing on January 1, 2018.  To achieve this transition, an 
exceptional volume of “month-off” annual leave was allocated in September and October leaving some 2% of our 
daily scheduled flights uncovered. 

The only way to fix this failure, and protect the remaining 98% of our schedules, was the deeply regretted decision to 
cancel  2,000  of  the  130,000  flights  scheduled  in  September  and  October.    This  leave  shortfall  should  have  been 
addressed by slightly increasing pilot recruitment during the first half of 2017 (a year when we hired just over 1,000 
pilots). It was a planning failure for which we sincerely apologise, especially to customers whose flights were delayed 
or cancelled.  They all received their full EU261 compensation as well as a free flight voucher.  We replaced the entire 
rostering management team, we doubled the headcount in the department and we invested heavily in new management 
in our Operations department.  We grounded 25 aircraft for the Winter schedule so that we could clear all annual leave 
in 2017 and allocate more than 40% of 2018 total annual leave requirement in the first quarter. 

We implemented a series of initiatives to make Ryanair more attractive to pilots and cabin crew, including a 20% pay 
increase under 5 year pay agreements which makes our pilots significantly better paid than competitor (Norwegian & 
Jet2) B737 pilots; we cut training/bonding costs for new pilot and cabin crew recruits, and we announced we would 
recognise trade unions in December 2017.  We have made good progress with these union discussions and have signed 
recognition agreements with pilot unions in Italy and the UK, and cabin crew unions in Italy, Germany and the UK.  
Progress is slower in other, smaller, markets where some unions have made unreasonable demands that would damage 
our  low  fare  model.    We  hope  to  conclude  more  recognition  agreements  shortly  but  cannot  rule  out  occasional 
industrial  action  which  may  occur  in  Summer  2018  as  we  will  not  compromise  either  our  low  fare  model  or  our 
efficiency. 

European ATC Staff Shortages & Strikes 

Repeated  ATC  staff  shortages  (mainly  in  Germany  and  the  UK),  and  strikes  (primarily  in  France)  are  causing 
widespread damage to all airline schedules this Summer.  Europe’s ATC performance considerably lags behind that 
of the US where there is only one ATC provider, compared to 37 national providers in the EU.  In the USA 18% fewer 
air traffic controllers handle 56% more flights with fewer delays and almost no strikes.  In European ATC there are 
two admin. staff per air traffic controller compared to just one in the US.  US air traffic controllers on average handle 
just  over  1,010  flights  p.a.  compared  to  just  over  530  flights  p.a.  for  an  EU  air  traffic  controller.  This  dismal 
productivity of Europe’s ATC must be improved if “openskies” is to have any credibility. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summer 2018 will be the worst ever for Europe ATC services.  French ATC went on strike for 9 of the 13 weekends 
during April, May and June, leading to thousands of cancelled flights.  On a daily basis, this Summer, Ryanair’s first 
wave of departures are being repeatedly delayed by ATC staff shortages, mainly in UK, France, Germany and Greece.  
The  German  ATC  Karlsruhe  base  is  more  than  50  air  traffic  controllers  short  of  the  target  required  to  handle  the 
volume of flights it is being paid to handle, and when it cannot cope, these flights are rerouted over neighbouring ATC 
centres such as Maastricht which causes knock-on delays at those centres as well. 

Ryanair with active members of A4E (Airlines for Europe) is campaigning to persuade the European Commission to 
take control of the upper air space so that overflights at least are not disrupted during national ATC strikes.  This does 
not remove or constrain the “right to strike” but does confine more of the impact of those strikes to the country where 
the strike occurs (i.e. France).  The European Commission has been slow to act on these measures and so airlines 
continue to call on the EU to act decisively to minimise disruptions to EU consumers and their families this Summer.  
There is no justification for staff shortages among Europe’s ATC providers.   

Growth of New Routes and Bases 

In fiscal 2018 we opened 4 new bases, in Burgas, Memmingen, Naples and Poznan.  We expect our fleet to grow to 
almost 460 aircraft by March 2019 which will allow us to grow traffic to 139m guests.   

Ryanair Sun - our new Polish charter airline - operated 
its first flights in April 2018. It has a Polish Air Operator 
Certificate  (“AOC”)  and  provides  charter  flights 
to/from  Poland  for  the  Summer  2018  holiday  season 
with an initial fleet of 5 aircraft and it looks set to trade 
profitably in its first full year of operation.  We expect 
Ryanair Sun to become Poland’s No. 1 charter airline 
by Summer 2019.   

In April, we acquired 24.9% of LaudaMotion.  On July 12, 
the  European  Commission  approved  Ryanair’s 
2018 
proposed acquisition of a further 50.1% enabling us to work 
with Niki Lauda and his team to re-launch LaudaMotion as 
Austria’s  No.1  low  fares  airline,  serving  markets  from 
Austria and Germany to sun destinations primarily in Spain. 
In  Summer  2018  LaudaMotion  is  operating  a  fleet  of  19 
(mainly  Airbus)  aircraft  with  its  Austrian  AOC.  We  are 
looking  at  opportunities  to  grow  LaudaMotion’s  fleet  of 
Airbus aircraft for Summer 2019 and beyond. 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Always Getting Better (AGB) 2018 

Our AGB Customer Experience program has improved load factors for the fourth year in a row.  Ryanair.com, with 1 
billion unique visitors annually, is one of the world’s largest travel websites and we have continued to make significant 
improvements  to  our  mobile  app.  We  recently  launched  a  5-year  Environmental  Plan  including  a  commitment  to 
become  “plastic  free”  in  5  years.  We  have  set  up  a  dedicated  EU261  customer  service  team  in  Madrid  and  are 
processing valid compensation claims within 10 days against an industry average of over 30 days. ‘Always Getting 
Better’ continues to guide our operations and our people as we strive continuously to improve our guest experience 
while lowering our fares.  

Our People 

Last year Ryanair created 1,500 new jobs as our headcount grew to over 14,500 highly skilled aviation professionals.  
We promoted more than 600 team members to more senior positions.  Our Labs team has grown to almost 600 by 
recruiting new development talent into our Travel Labs Development Centres in Dublin, Wroclaw, and Madrid.  We 
expect to carry 200m guests p.a. by 2024 which will allow us to create a further 6,000 jobs directly in Ryanair, while 
sustaining more than 150,000 indirect jobs at airports all over Europe. 

Our people remain one of our most important assets, and we continue to invest heavily in recruitment and training so 
that we recruit not just the best available talent, but also train them to the highest possible standards, both professionally 
and in the delivery of the Ryanair customer experience, while we bring low fare competition and choice to new and 
existing markets across Europe. 

Our Aircraft 

During the year to March 2018 we took delivery of 50 new Boeing 737-800NG aircraft with a further 14 delivered in 
April and May.  All these were delivered with Boeing “Sky” interiors, and have enjoyed very positive feedback from 
our customers, who welcome the brighter, roomier interiors, the bigger hatbins, and the bigger seat pitch delivered by 
our more comfortable slimline seating. In April 2018,  we converted 25 Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft options into 
firm orders, bringing our firm orders to 135 MAX-200s, the first 5 of which will deliver in Spring 2019, with a further 
75 options remaining. 

7 

 
 
Our Environment 

lighting  and 

Ryanair  has  been  independently  verified  as 
Europe’s  greenest,  cleanest  airline. 
  Our 
commitment to the environment does not end at 
young  and  efficient  aircraft,  but  extends  to  all 
other operations and facilities.  In our offices and 
hangar  premises  we  are  maximising  the  use  of 
solar  power,  LED 
recycling 
programs.    We  continue  to  invest  heavily  in 
electronic communications and digitalisation as a 
way  of  reducing  the  paper  involved  in  ticket 
processing  and  travel.    Ryanair  was  the  first 
airline 
ticket 
distribution to all internet ticketing, and we have 
now moved customers to mobile boarding passes 
and cut checked in baggage processing to reduce 
our impact on the environment.  In Ryanair we are 
working  hard  to  bring  the  people  of  Europe 
together  with  low  cost  air  travel,  and  we  are 
committed both to reducing the cost of air travel, 
but  also  its  impact  on  our  environment  and  on 
future generations. 

to  move  from 

travel  agency 

In  March  2018  we 
launched  our  new 
Environmental Policy, which commits Ryanair to 
a series of industry leading environmental targets, 
including moving to “plastic free” within 5 years, 
while  allowing  our  guests 
to  contribute 
voluntarily  to  a  carbon  offset  program,  the 
proceeds  of  which  will  be  applied  to  support 
sustainable environmental projects.  

Further detail on our environmental initiatives is included in our Environmental and Social Report on page 28.  

Brexit 

We remain concerned by the danger of a hard (i.e. “no-deal”) Brexit in March 2019. While there is a general belief 
that a 21-month transition agreement from March 2019 to December 2020 will be agreed (and further extended), we 
continue  to  develop  contingency  plans  for  a  hard  Brexit  which  remains  a  real  but  underestimated  risk.  In  these 
circumstances,  it  is  likely  that  our  UK  shareholders  will  be  treated  as  non-EU  and  in  line  with  our  Articles  of 
Association, we plan to restrict the voting rights of all non-EU shareholders in the event of a hard Brexit, so that we 
can ensure that Ryanair remains majority owned and controlled by EU shareholders at all times to comply with our 
licences.  

Our Shareholders 

Last  year  was  a  rewarding  one  for  our  shareholders.    We  delivered  share  buybacks  of  over  €800m  during  the  12 
months, and in February 2018 we announced another €750m share buyback.  The benefit of our buyback program can 
be demonstrated by the fact that over the past 8 years we have bought and retired some 25% of Ryanair’s equity at an 
average price of just over €9.60 compared to a current share price of approximately €14.00. Our buybacks also ensured 
that in FY18 while we delivered 10% growth in profits, our shareholders enjoyed a 15% rise in earnings per share. 

We hope that shareholders will continue to enjoy superior returns on their investment over the coming year as we 
strive to grow our low fare model, safely, in the best interests of our customers, our people and our shareholders. 

Thank you for your continued support. 

Michael O’Leary 
Chief Executive 

8 

 
Directors’ Report 

Introduction 

The Directors present their Annual Report and 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 March 31, 2018. 

Review of business activities and future developments in the business 

The Company operates a low fares airline business and plans to develop this activity by expanding its successful 
low fares/low costs formula on new and existing routes. Information on the Company is set out on pages 73 to 95 of 
the Annual Report. A review of the Company’s operations for the year is set out on pages 95 to 110 of the Annual 
Report. 

Results for the year 

Results for the year are set out in the consolidated income statement on page 148 of the Annual Report and in 

the related notes to the financial statements. 

Principal risks and uncertainties 

Details of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company are set forth on pages 59 to 73 of the Annual 

Report. 

Key performance indicators 

Details of the key performance indicators of the business are set forth on pages 58; 73 to 95; and 95 to 110 of the 

Annual Report. 

Financial risk management 

Details of the Company’s financial risk management policies and exposures to market risk are set forth in Note 

10 on pages 171 to 183 of the consolidated financial statements. 

Share capital 

The number of ordinary shares in issue at March 31, 2018 was 1,171,142,985 (2017: 1,217,870,999; and 2016:  
1,290,739,865).  Details of the classes of shares in issue and the related rights and obligations are more fully set out 
in Note 14 on pages 186 to 188 of the consolidated financial statements. 

Accounting records 

The Directors believe that they have complied with the requirements of Section 281 to 285 of the Companies 
Act, 2014 with regard to adequate accounting records by employing financial personnel with appropriate expertise 
and  by  providing  adequate  resources  to  the  financial  function.  The  accounting  records  of  the  Company  are 
maintained at its registered office, Airside Business Park, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 NY94, 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 Ryanair, Dublin Office,  Airside Business Park, Swords, Co. 
Dublin, K67 NY94, Ireland. It is a public limited company and operates under the laws of Ireland. 

People 

At March 31, 2018, the Company had a team of 14,583 people, compared to 13,026 at March 31, 2017 and 

11,458 at March 31, 2016.  

Substantial interests in share capital 

Details of substantial interests in the share capital of the Company, which represent 3% of the issued share 

capital, are set forth on page 120 of the Annual Report. At March 31, 2018 the free float in shares was 95.3%. 

9 

Directors and Company Secretary 

The names of the Directors are listed on pages 111 and 112 of the Annual Report. The Company Secretary is 
listed on page 117 of the Annual Report. Details of the appointment and re-election of Directors are set forth on page 
14 of the Annual Report.  

Interests of Directors and Company Secretary  

The Directors and Company Secretary who held office at March 31, 2018 had no interests other than those 
outlined in Note 18(d) on page 193 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, but in the 
context of a low cost airline, having regard to the comparative marketplace in Europe, in order to ensure that they 
are  motivated  to  perform  in  the  best  interests  of  the  shareholders.    Details  of  remuneration  paid  to  senior  key 
management (defined as the Executive team reporting to the Board of Directors) is set out in Note 26 on page 200 
of the consolidated financial statements. Details of total remuneration paid to the Directors is set out in Note 18 on 
pages 191 to 194. 

Executive Director’s service contract 

In October 2014, Michael O’Leary (CEO) signed a 5-year contract which commits him to the Company until 
September 2019.  This contract replaces a rolling 12-month arrangement under which Mr. O’Leary had worked as 
CEO of the airline since 1994. 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. Mr. O’Leary’s employment agreement does 
not contain provisions providing for compensation on its termination.  

Dividend policy 

Details of the Company’s dividend policy are disclosed on page 122 of the Annual Report. 

Share buy-back 

 In the year ended March 31, 2018 the Company bought back 44.7m shares at a total cost €790m under its share 
buyback program and 2.0m shares underlying  ADRs at a  total cost of €39m under its €150m “Evergreen” ADR 
buyback program.  These buybacks were equivalent to approximately 3.8% of the Company’s issued share capital 
at March 31, 2017. All of these repurchased shares were cancelled at March 31, 2018.  

In the year ended March 31, 2017 the Company bought back 72.3m shares at  a total cost of approximately 
€1,018m under its share buyback program. This buyback was equivalent to approximately 6% of the Company’s 
issued share capital at March 31, 2016. All of these repurchased shares were cancelled at March 31, 2017.   

As a result of the share buybacks, in the year ended March 31, 2018, share capital decreased by 46.7m ordinary 
shares (72.8m ordinary shares in the year ended March 31, 2017) with a nominal value of €0.3m (€0.4m in the year 
ended March 31, 2017) and the capital redemption reserve increased by a corresponding €0.3m (€0.4m in the year 
ended  March  31,  2017).  The  capital  redemption  reserve  is  required  to  be  created  under  Irish  law  to  preserve 
permanent capital in the Parent Company.  

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Compliance Statement 

The Company complies with its relevant obligations (as defined in the Companies Act 2014). The Directors have 
drawn up a compliance policy statement (as defined in section 225(3)(a) of the Companies Act 2014) and appropriate 
arrangements and structures are in place that are, in the Directors’ opinion, designed to secure material compliance 
with the Company’s relevant obligations. The Directors confirm that these arrangements and structures were reviewed 
during the financial year. As required by Section 225(2) of the Companies Act 2014, the Directors acknowledge that 
they are responsible for the Company’s compliance with the relevant obligations. In discharging their responsibilities 
under  Section  225,  the  Directors  relied  on  the  advice  both  of  persons  employed  by  the  Company  and  of  persons 
retained by the Company under contract, who they believe have the requisite knowledge and experience to advise the 
Company on compliance with its relevant obligations. 

Relevant audit information 

The Directors believe that they have taken all steps necessary to make themselves aware of any relevant audit 
information and have established that the Company’s statutory auditors are aware of that information.  In so far as 
they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Group’s statutory auditors are unaware. 

Accountability and audit 

The Directors have set out their responsibility for the preparation of the financial statements on page 40 to 41. 

They have also considered the going concern position of the Company and their conclusion is set out on page 26. 

The Board 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, 2018 the Audit Committee met on five occasions. 
At least quarterly, the Audit Committee receives an extensive report from the Head of Internal Audit detailing the 
reviews  performed  in  the  year  to  date,  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 118 to 119 of the Annual Report for details of employee and labor relations.  
See pages 92 to 94 of the Annual Report for details on environmental matters.  
See page 144 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 83 of the Annual Report for details. 

Critical accounting policy 

Details of the Company’s critical accounting policy is set forth on page 98 of the Annual Report.  

Subsidiary companies 

Details  of  the  principal  subsidiary  undertakings  are  disclosed  in  Note  26  on  page  200  of  the  consolidated 

financial statements. 

Political contributions 

During the financial years ended March 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 the Company made no political contributions 

which require disclosure under the Electoral Act, 1997. 

Corporate Governance Statement 

The Corporate Governance Statement on pages 13 to 27 forms part of the Directors’ Report. 

11 

Post balance sheet events 

Details of significant post balance sheet events are set forth in Note 25 on page 199 of the consolidated financial 

statements. 

Auditor 

In accordance with Section 383(2) of the Companies Act 2014, the auditor KPMG, Chartered Accountants, 

will continue in office. 

Annual General Meeting 

The  Annual  General  Meeting  will  be  held  on  September  20,  2018  at  9  a.m.  in  the  CityNorth  Hotel  and 

Conference Centre, Gormanston, Co. Meath, K32 W562, Ireland. 

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 
July 20, 2018 

  Michael O’Leary 
Chief Executive 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 2016 U.K. Corporate Governance Code (the “2016 Code”), the version of the Code in 
force during the year ended March 31, 2018.  This Report also covers the disclosure requirements set out in the Irish 
Corporate Governance Annex to the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange, which supplements the  2016 Code 
with additional corporate governance provisions and is also applicable to Ryanair.  

A copy of the 2016 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 CEO and Executive management. 

There is a clear division of responsibilities between the Chairman and the CEO, 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  CEO,  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 111), the Board considers 

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

Senior Independent Director 

The Board has appointed Kyran McLaughlin as the Senior Independent Director. Kyran McLaughlin is available 
to shareholders who have concerns that cannot be addressed through the Chairman, CEO or CFO 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. 

13 

Membership 

The Board consists of one Executive and thirteen 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 
appropriate.  The composition of the Board and the principal Board Committees are set out in the table below as of 
June 30, 2018. Biographies of the Directors are set out on pages 111 and 112. 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 Chairman has an extensive background in this industry and significant 
public company experience. Historically, the Company has always separated the roles of Chairman and CEO for the 
running of the business and implementation of the Board’s strategy and policy. 

Name 

Role 

Independent 

Chairman 
D. Bonderman 
Senior Indep.  
K. McLaughlin 
Non-Exec. 
R. Brennan (i) 
Non-Exec. 
M. Cawley 
E. Daly (ii) 
Non-Exec. 
S. McCarthy (iii)  Non-Exec. 
Non-Exec. 
C. McCreevy 
Non-Exec. 
D. McKeon 
Non-Exec. 
H. Millar 
Non-Exec. 
D. Milliken 
Non-Exec. 
M. O’Brien  
Exec/CEO 
M. O’Leary 
Non-Exec. 
J. O’Neill 
Non-Exec. 
L. Phelan 

Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
No 
Yes 
Yes 

Years 
on 
Board 
22 
17 
- 
4 
- 
1 
8 
8 
3 
5 
2 
22 
5 
5 

Committees 

Audit  Remuneration  Nomination  Executive  Safety 

- 
- 
Member 
- 
Member 
- 
Member 
Chair 
- 
Member 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
Member 
- 
- 
Chair 
- 
- 
- 
Member 

Member  Member 

- 
Chair 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
Member 

Chair 
- 
- 
- 
Member 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
Member 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
Co. Chair 
- 
- 
- 

(i) 
(ii) 
(iii) 

Roisin Brennan was appointed to the Board in May 2018. 
Emer Daly was appointed to the Board in December 2017. 
Stan McCarthy was appointed to the Board in May 2017. 

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 with the relevant expertise, quality and experience 
required  by  Ryanair  to  advance  the  Company  and  shareholder  value.  During  the  financial  year  the  Nomination 
Committee  identified  candidates  whose  character,  expertise  and  experience  was  known  to  the  Company.  Stan 
McCarthy was appointed to the board in May 2017, Emer Daly was appointed to the Board in December 2017 and 
Roisin  Brennan  was  appointed  to  the  Board  in  May  2018.  Ryanair  recognises  the  benefits  of  diversity,  including 
gender diversity. Ryanair recognises the importance of balance and offers equal opportunities to all candidates and 
potential candidates, irrespective of gender. Ryanair’s Articles of Association require that all of the Directors retire 
and offer themselves for re-election within a three-year period.  Other than Charles McCreeevy and Declan McKeon, 
all Directors (including Emer Daly and Roisin Brennan who were appointed to the Board in December 2017 and May 
2018 respectively) will be offering themselves for re-election at the AGM on September 20, 2018. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In accordance with the recommendations of the 2016 Code, Declan McKeon is Chairman of the Audit Committee 
and Howard Millar is Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. Following Declan McKeon’s  departure from the 
Board in September, he will be replaced by Dick Milliken as Chairman of the Audit Committee. 

Senior Management regularly briefs the Board, including new members, in relation to operating, financial and 
strategic  issues  concerning  the  Company.  The  Board  also  has  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 2016 Code, namely, whether each Director is independent in character 
and judgement and free from relationships or circumstances which are likely to affect, or could appear to affect, the 
Director’s judgement. The Board regards all of the Non-Executive Directors as independent and that no one individual 
or group exerts an undue influence on others.  

Within its independence review, the Board has considered the following items with respect to certain individual 

Non-Executive Directors.  

Director 

Role 

Circumstances of relevance 
under the 2016 Code in 
determining independence 

Basis upon which the Board has 
determined independence 

D. Bonderman 

Chairman  & 
Non-Exec. 

Length of service (22 years) 

David  Bonderman  is  independent  in 
character and judgement and the Board 
views  his  depth  of  experience  and 
service  as  enhancing  his  independence 
in representing shareholder interests. 

Independent 
within the spirit 
and meaning of 
the 2016 Code 
Yes 

Material Holding – As at March 
31,  2018  D.  Bonderman  had  a 
beneficial  shareholding  in  the 
Company  of  7,535,454  ord. 
shares, equivalent to 0.6% of the 
issued shares.  

In light of the number of issued shares in 
Ryanair  Holdings  plc  and  the  personal 
financial  interests  of  the  Director,  the 
Board has concluded that the interest is 
not  material  and  Mr.  Bonderman’s 
independence is not compromised. 

K. McLaughlin 

Senior 
Independent 
Director 

Length of service (17 years) 

M. Cawley 

Non-Exec. 

Business  relationship  –  Deputy 
Chairman  and  Head  of  Capital 
Markets  at  Davy  Stockbrokers 
(Joint  Corporate  Broker 
to 
Ryanair) 

Previous  employment  -  served 
as  Deputy  Chief  Executive 
Officer  and  Chief  Operating 
Officer of Ryanair from 2003 to 
March 2014. 

Yes 

Yes 

Kyran  McLaughlin  is  independent  in 
character and judgement and the Board 
views  his  depth  of  experience  and 
service  as  enhancing  his  independence 
in representing shareholder interests. 

The  fees  paid  to  Davy  Stockbrokers  in 
respect  of  corporate  advisory  services 
provided  to  Ryanair  are  immaterial  to 
both  Ryanair  and  Davy  Stockbrokers 
given  the  size  of  each  organisation's 
business operations and financial results. 

The  Board  has  considered  Michael 
Cawley’s  outside  business  interests,  as 
well  as  the  gap  (6  months)  between 
finishing  his  Executive 
role  with 
Ryanair and his election to the Board in 
2014  and  concluded  that  his  previous 
employment  with  Ryanair  in  no  way 
compromises  his 
independence  of 
judgement and character. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Director 

Role 

Circumstances  of  relevance 
under 
in 
the  2016  Code 
determining independence 

Basis  upon  which  the  Board  has 
determined independence 

H. Millar 

Non-Exec. 

Previous employment - served as 
Deputy  Chief  Executive  and 
Chief  Financial  Officer  of 
Ryanair  from  January  2003  to 
December 2014. 

M. O’Brien 

Non-Exec. 

Previous employment – served as 
the  Chief  Pilot  and  Flight  Ops 
Manager  of  Ryanair  from  1987 
to 1991. 

L. Phelan 

Non-Exec. 

Other relevant factors 

for 

Business  relationship  –  Vice 
for 
President 
Continental Europe, Middle East 
and  Africa  (service  provider  to 
Ryanair). 

PayPal 

The  Board  has  considered  Howard 
Millar’s  outside  business  interests  and 
the gap (9 months) between finishing his 
Executive role with Ryanair in 2014 and 
his  election  to  the  Board  in  2015  and 
concluded that his previous employment 
with Ryanair in no way compromises his 
independence 
and 
character. 

judgement 

of 

The  Board  has  considered  Mike 
O’Brien’s  outside  business  interests,  as 
well  as  the  gap  (25  years)  between 
finishing  his  Executive 
role  with 
Ryanair and his election to the Board in 
2016  and  concluded  that  his  previous 
employment  with  Ryanair  in  no  way 
compromises  his 
independence  of 
judgement and character.  

for 

fees  chargeable 

The 
services 
provided  by  PayPal  to  Ryanair  are 
immaterial  to  both  Ryanair  and  PayPal 
given  the  size  of  each  organisation's 
business operations and financial results. 

Independent 
within the spirit 
and meaning of 
the 2016 Code 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-Executive Directors hold share options over shares as set out on page 193. Whilst the 2016 Code notes that 
the  remuneration  of  Non-Executive  Directors  should  not  ordinarily  include  share  options,  the  Company  has  a 
NASDAQ  listing  and  has  a  significant  U.S.  shareholder  base.  The  granting  of  share  options  to  Non-Executive 
Directors  to  align  interests  of  shareholders  and  Directors  is  an  established  market  practice  in  the  U.S.  which  is 
encouraged by a wide number of U.S. investors. The Company in accordance with the 2016 Code sought and received 
shareholder approval to make these share  option grants to its Non-Executive  Directors and the Board believes the 
modest number of options granted to Non-Executive Directors does not impair their independence of judgement and 
character. 

In relation to the remaining Non-Executive Directors, with the exception of a modest grant of share options, there 

were no relationships or circumstances of relevance under the 2016 Code impacting their independence. 

Furthermore, in line with best governance practices, Ryanair has adopted a policy whereby all Directors retire 
on an annual basis and being eligible for re-election, offer themselves for election. This therefore affords Ryanair’s 
shareholders an annual opportunity to vote on the suitability of each Director. 

The Nomination Committee has confirmed to the Board that it considers all Directors offering themselves for re-
election at the 2018 AGM to be independent and that they continue to effectively contribute to the work of the Board. 
The Nomination 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.  

16 

 
The Company has Directors’ and 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, 2018 the Board convened meetings on 
12 occasions. Individual attendance at these meetings is set out in the table on page 22. 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, 
demonstrates 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 
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 18 to the consolidated financial statements on 
pages 191 to 194. Also, please see the Report of the Remuneration Committee on Directors’ Remuneration on page 
37. 

Non-Executive Directors 

Non-Executive Directors are remunerated primarily by way of Directors’ fees and, from time to time, a modest 

number of share options. 

Full details are disclosed in Note 18(b) and 18(d) on pages 191 to 194 of the consolidated financial statements. 

Executive Director Remuneration 

The  CEO  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 dependent upon the achievement of certain financial and personal targets. 
It is considered that the significant shareholding of the CEO 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 18(a) on page 191 of the consolidated 

financial statements. 

Share Ownership and Dealing 

Details of the Directors’ interests in Ryanair shares are set out in  Note 18(d) on page 193 of the consolidated 

financial statements. 

The Board has adopted a code of dealing, to ensure compliance with the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange 
and the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, applicable to transactions in Ryanair shares, debt instruments, derivatives 
or other financial instruments by persons discharging managerial responsibilities (“PDMRs”) (e.g. Directors), persons 
closely associated with persons discharging managerial responsibilities (“PCAs”) and relevant Company employees 
(together, “Covered Persons”). The code of dealing also includes provisions which are intended to ensure compliance 
with U.S.  securities laws and regulations of the NASDAQ National  market. Under the code, Covered Persons are 
required  to  notify  the  Company  and  in  the  case  of  PDMRs  and  PCAs  only,  the  Central  Bank,  of  any  transaction 
conducted  on  their  own  account  in  Ryanair  shares,  debt  instruments,  derivatives  or  other  financial  instruments. 
Directors  are  also  required  to  obtain  clearance  from  the  Chairman  or  CEO  (or  other  person  designated  for  such 
purpose) before undertaking such transactions, whilst Covered Persons who are not Directors must obtain clearance 
from  designated  senior  management.  Covered  Persons  are  prohibited  from  undertaking  such  transactions  during 
Closed Periods as defined by the code and at any time during which the individual is in possession of inside information 
(as defined in the E.U. Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014)). 

17 

Board Succession and Structure  

The  Board  plans  for  its  own  succession  with  guidance  from  the  Nomination  Committee.  The  Nomination 
Committee  regularly  reviews  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 Nomination Committee identifies and selects candidates on merit against objective criteria, to ensure 
that the Board has the skills, knowledge and expertise required. 

 The Board currently comprises fourteen Directors. The CEO is the only Executive Director. The thirteen Non-
Executive Directors include Chairman David Bonderman. Biographies of all current Directors are set out on pages 
111 to 112 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  2016 Code.  Ryanair continually endeavours 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, Stan McCarthy, Kyran McLaughlin and Michael O’Leary 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 5 Non-Executive Directors who are independent for the purposes of 
the listing rules of the NASDAQ and the U.S. federal securities laws: Declan McKeon (Chairman), Charles McCreevy  
Dick Milliken, Emer Daly and Roisin Brennan. The Board has determined that Declan McKeon is the Committee’s 
financial expert. It can be seen from the Directors’ biographies appearing on page 111 and 112, 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, 2018. Individual attendance at these meetings is 
set  out  in  the  table  on  page  22. The  Chief  Financial  Officer,  the  Head  of  Internal  Audit  and  other  senior  Finance 
managers (as required) 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. 

18 

 
 
Summary of the role of the Audit Committee 

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

on the Company’s website at https://investor.ryanair.com/governance, 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 judgements 
contained therein; 

• 

• 

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 20-F 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; 

•  monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s Internal Audit function;   

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

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, in particular ensuring that the pre-approval of non-audit 
services pertains only to those services deemed permissible under Statutory Instrument No. 312 of 2016 and 
U.S. SEC rules;  

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; and 

• 

reviewing the terms of reference of the Committee 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 judgemental areas and compliance with stock exchange, 
legal and regulatory requirements. The Committee receives reports from the external auditors identifying any 
accounting or judgemental issues requiring its attention;  

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

•  The Committee regularly reviews 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  function.  The  results  of  this  assessment  are 
reviewed by the Committee and are reported to the Board; 

•  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; 

19 

 
 
 
•  During  the  year,  the  Committee  receives  reports  from  the  Head  of  Internal  Audit  detailing  the  reviews 

performed during the year and a risk assessment of the Company; 

•  The Committee has a process in place to ensure the independence of the external auditor is not compromised, 
which  includes  monitoring  the  nature  and  extent  of  services  provided  by  the  external  auditor  through  its 
annual review of fees paid to the external auditor for audit and non-audit services. Pre-approval from the 
Committee is required for all non-audit services to be provided by the external auditor. The Committee’s 
review process was reviewed and updated during fiscal year 2017 to ensure full compliance with EU Audit 
Reform legislation which is applicable to the Company’s financial year commencing April 1, 2017. Only 
those services deemed permissible under Statutory Instrument No. 312 of 2016 and U.S. SEC rules, may be 
provided by the external auditor. Accordingly, the external auditor is permitted to provide non-audit services 
that are not, or not perceived to be, in conflict with auditor independence, provided it has the skill, experience, 
competency and integrity to perform the work, and is considered by the Committee to be the most appropriate 
party to provide such services in the best interests of the Company.  Furthermore, effective for the Company’s 
financial year commencing April 1, 2020, permitted non-audit services will be capped at 70% of the average 
statutory audit fees over the preceding three years. Details of the amounts paid to the external auditors during 
the year for audit and other services are set out in Note 18 on page 191; and 

•  The Committee receives presentations in areas such as treasury operations, information systems and security, 

including cyber security, and specifically in relation to the Group. 

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 issues was addressed in the report received from the external auditor and was discussed with management 
and the external auditor. 

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 98, the critical accounting policy 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 value of the assets, the estimated cost of major airframe and engine overhaul, and whether 
there  are  impairment  indicators  in  respect  of  the  assets.  In  particular,  the  Audit  Committee  considered 
manufacturers’ recommendations, expert valuation analysis and other available marketplace information in 
respect  of  the  expected  useful  and  residual  lives  of  the  assets,  and  whether  there  were  any  impairment 
indicators associated with Ryanair’s aircraft fleet. The Committee agreed with management’s approach and 
conclusions in relation to the accounting for long lived assets. 

• 

In considering management’s assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, the Committee 
had  regard  to  available  sources  of  finance  including  access  to  the  capital  markets,  the  cash  on  hand  of 
approximately €3.7bn and the sensitivity to changes in these items. The Committee considered the Group’s 
cash generation projections through to the end of the current aircraft purchase program in the financial year 
ending March 31, 2024. On the basis of the review performed, and the discussions held with management, the 
Committee was satisfied 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. Please also 
refer to the Company’s Viability Statement on page 26 of the Annual Report. 

20 

 
The Committee considered the requirements under section 225 of the Irish Companies Act 2014 in relation to 
the  Directors’  Compliance  Statement  which  applied  to  the  Company  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2018  and  has 
ensured that the Directors are aware of their responsibilities and fully comply with this provision. 

The Committee typically 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  are  recommended  to  the  Board  for  approval, 
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 20-F, which is filed annually with the United States Securities and Exchange 
Commission, the Irish Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, is considered and recommended to 
the Board for approval; 

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 auditor 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 auditor.  The Committee’s policy is to expressly pre approve 
every  engagement  of  Ryanair’s  independent  auditor  for  all  audit  and  non-audit  services  provided  to  the 
Company. Only those services deemed permissible under Statutory Instrument No. 312 of 2016 and U.S. SEC 
rules may be provided by the external auditor. 

In  addition,  the  Committee  updated  the  prior  year  evaluation  of  the  external  audit  process.  The  Committee 
considered a range of factors including the quality of service provided, the specialist expertise of the external auditor, 
the level of audit fees and independence. The Committee have evaluated the work completed by the external auditor 
in the year to March 31, 2018, taking into account the fees paid to KPMG, and are satisfied with their effectiveness, 
objectivity and their independence. 

KPMG have been auditor to Ryanair since the incorporation of Ryanair DAC in 1985. The last external audit 
tender was conducted in 2010. Detailed consideration was given to the external audit arrangements in 2013. Under the 
requirements imposed by EU Audit Reform legislation for the rotation of the external auditor, KPMG will be required 
to cease acting as statutory auditor effective for the Company’s financial year ending March 31, 2024. 

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 CEO, who is the 
only  Executive  Director.  Messrs.  Howard  Millar,  Stan  McCarthy  and  Ms.  Julie  O’Neill  are  the  members  of  the 
Remuneration Committee. 

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,  https://investor.ryanair.com/governance.  The  terms  of  reference  of  the 
Remuneration Committee are reviewed annually. 

Nomination Committee 

Messrs.  Michael  Cawley,  David  Bonderman  and  Ms.  Louise  Phelan  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. 

21 

 
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,  https://investor.ryanair.com/governance. The  Nomination  Committee uses its 
members’ extensive business and professional contacts to identify suitable candidates. The Terms of Reference of the 
Nomination Committee are reviewed annually. The focus of the Nomination Committee is to maintain a Board which 
comprises  the  necessary  expertise,  quality  and  experience  required  by  Ryanair  to  advance  the  Company  and 
shareholder value. Ryanair recognises the benefits of gender diversity. 

Safety Committee 

The Board of Directors established the Air Safety Committee in March 1997 to review and discuss air safety and 
related issues. The Safety Committee reports to the full Board of Directors each quarter. The Safety Committee is 
composed of a main board Director, Mike O’Brien and the Accountable Manager for Safety, Mr. Neil Sorahan (who 
both act as co-chairman), as well as the following Executive Officers of Ryanair: Messrs. Bellew, Wilson, the Chief 
Pilot, Capt. Ray Conway and the Chief Risk Officer, Ms. Carol Sharkey.  A number of other managers are invited to 
attend, as required, from time to time. 

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 Personnel Department investigates any instances and 
the Head of Internal Audit reports findings directly to the Audit Committee.  The Code is available on the Company’s 
website, https://investor.ryanair.com/governance. 

Attendance at Board and Committee meetings during the year ended March 31, 2018: 

Name 
D. Bonderman 
R. Brennan (i) 
M. Cawley 
E. Daly (ii) 
S. McCarthy (iii) 
C. McCreevy 
D. McKeon 
K. McLaughlin 
H. Millar 
D. Milliken 
M. O’Brien  
M. O’Leary 
J. O’Neill 
L. Phelan 

Board 
11/12 
- 
11/12 
6/6 
11/12 
12/12 
11/12 
12/12 
12/12 
12/12 
12/12 
12/12 
12/12 
11/12 

Audit 
- 
- 
- 

1/1 
- 
5/5 
5/5 
- 
- 

5/5 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Safety  Remuneration  Executive  Nomination 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4/4 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
2/2 
- 
- 
- 
3/3 
- 
- 
- 
3/3 
- 

5/6 
- 
- 
- 
2/3 
- 
- 
6/6 
- 
- 
- 
6/6 
- 
- 

4/4 
- 
4/4 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4/4 

(i) 
(ii) 
(iii) 

Roisin Brennan was appointed to the Board in May 2018. 
Emer Daly was appointed to the Board in December 2017. 
Stan McCarthy was appointed to the Board in May 2017 and the Executive Committee in September 2017.  

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 CEO, the Chairman and individual 
Non-Executive  Directors.    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 Board of Directors considered that the self-
assessment  process  followed  by  Ryanair  provides  sufficient  insights  into  the  effectiveness  of  the  Board,  creates  a 
roadmap of areas for improvement, and enhances the performance and effectiveness of the Board. 

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 Board considers the results of the evaluation process and any issues identified.  The above evaluations were 
conducted in May 2017 and were presented to the Board at the September 2017 Board meeting in respect of the year 
under review. 

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 CEO, senior financial, investor relations, operational, and commercial management participate 
in these events.  

During the year ended March 31, 2018 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  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 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) at which a Director reviews 
the results and comments on current business activity. Financial, operational and other information on the Company 
is provided on the Company website, https://investor.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 2016 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  CEO  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 129. 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.   

23 

Shareholders may exercise their right to vote by appointing a proxy or 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 
an extraordinary 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 any general  meeting (whether an  AGM  or an EGM) 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 meeting to which it relates. 

Notice of the Annual General Meeting and the Form of Proxy are sent to shareholders at least 21 days before the 
meeting. The  Company’s  Annual  Report is available on the Company’s  website, https://investor.ryanair.com. The 
Annual  General  Meeting  will  be  held  on  September  20,  2018  at  9  a.m.  in  the  City  North  Hotel  and  Conference 
Centre, Gormanston, Co. Meath, K32W562, Ireland. 

All  general  meetings  other  than  the  Annual  General  Meeting  are  called  Extraordinary  General  Meetings 
(“EGM”). An EGM must be called by giving at least 21 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  Financial  Reporting  Council’s  “Guidance  on  Risk  Management,  Internal  Control  and 
Related Financial and Business Reporting”, most recently revised in September 2014, 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 2016 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 four times per year and has separate CEO and Chairman 

roles; 

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

authority in the Company, including the appointment of a Chief Risk Officer in May 2018; 

•  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; 

24 

 
•  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; 

•  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 and 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 program is in place throughout the Company whereby Executive management review and 

monitor the controls in place, both financial and non-financial, to manage the risks facing the business.  

The Board has satisfied itself on the effectiveness of the internal control systems in operation and it has reviewed 
and approved the reporting lines to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the internal controls and reporting structures. 

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, 2018 and has reported thereon to the Board. The Audit 
Committee  monitors  management’s  response  to  significant  control  failure  or  weakness  in  the  risk  management 
process, receives regular progress updates, and ensures issues are sufficiently remediated. 

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 14 on pages 186 to 188 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) restrict the voting rights of shares held by non-EU 
nationals if the Board believes the number of non-EU nationals holding shares in Ryanair would put it in breach of 
the regulations, licences and permits which allow it to operate.  

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.   

25 

 
 
 
Details of the rules concerning the removal and appointment of the Directors are set out above as part of the 

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  program  are  set  forth  on  page  122  of  the  Annual  Report.  The 
shareholders approved the power of the Company to buy-back shares at the 2006 AGM and at subsequent general 
meetings. 

None of the significant agreements to which the Company is party to, contain change of control provisions. As 
referred to above in the Directors’ Report, the CEO’s employment agreement does not contain provisions providing 
for compensation on his termination. 

Going Concern 

After making enquiries, the Directors have formed a judgement, 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 a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. 
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 40 and the reporting responsibilities of the 
auditor are set out in their report on page 42. 

Viability Statement 

The Company’s internal strategic planning processes currently extend to March 2024 which covers the delivery 
timeframe for the Company’s existing aircraft orders and its long-term passenger growth target to 200m customers 
p.a. Future assessments of the Company’s prospects are subject to uncertainty that increases with time and cannot be 
guaranteed or predicted with certainty. 

The Directors have taken account of the Company’s strong financial and operating condition, its BBB+ (stable) 
credit  rating,  the  principal  risks  and  uncertainties  facing  the  Company,  as  outlined  in  the  Principal  Risks  and 
Uncertainties section starting on page 59 of the Annual Report, and the Company’s ability to mitigate and manage 
those  risks.  Appropriate  stress-testing  of  the  Company’s  internal  budgets  are  undertaken  by  management  on  an 
ongoing basis to consider the potential impact of severe but plausible scenarios in which combinations of principal 
risks materialise together. 

Based on this assessment, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company will be able to continue 

in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the course of the existing Boeing aircraft orders. 

26 

 
 
Compliance Statement 

Ryanair  has  complied,  throughout  the  year  ended  March  31,  2018,  with  the  provisions  set  out  in  the  U.K. 
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 2016 Code, but continues to review these 
situations on an ongoing basis: 

•  Non-Executive  Directors  participate  in  the  Company’s  share  option  plans.  The  2016  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 2016 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. Bonderman and McLaughlin, having been offered for annual 
re-election for the duration of their tenure, have each served more than nine years on the Board. 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 20, 2018 

  Michael O’Leary 
Chief Executive 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Environmental and Social Report 

Ryanair is Europe’s greenest, cleanest airline. Ryanair’s low fare, customer friendly growth is being delivered in 
an environmentally sustainable way through investing in new aircraft and engine technology while adopting the most 
efficient  operations  and  commercial  procedures  to  minimise  its  impact  on  the  environment.  Ryanair  has  been 
independently verified as the industry leader in environmental efficiency and is continuously working to improve its 
environmental performance. 

The  launch of the  Always Getting Better (“AGB”) Customer Charter in 2014, and increased focus on digital 
technology  through  the  release  of  the  new  website  and  app,  has  improved  Ryanair’s  interaction  with  customers, 
providing them with the services and information required to make their travel more productive and comfortable. 

Ryanair believes that in order to achieve its growth objectives while reducing its environmental impact it must 
continue to invest in, and develop, its business, with a passion for sustainability. Ryanair’s Environmental, Social and 
Governance (“ESG”) Policy comprises six key components: 

1.  Safety and Quality 
2.  Energy Efficiency 
3.  Environment and Carbon Emissions 
4.  People Management and Social 
5.  Ethics and Transparency 
6.  Corporate Governance  

1. Safety and Quality 

Ryanair is proud of its industry leading 33-year safety record. Safety is Ryanair’s No.1 priority and we invest 

heavily in safety-related equipment, training and internal (confidential) reporting systems. Ryanair has: 

• over 14,500 skilled aviation professionals; 

• an industry leading Safety Management System; 

• a Board Air Safety Committee to review and discuss air safety and related issues; 

• launched its latest 3-year Safety Strategy in 2016 which will ensure that safety and security remain at the heart 

of everything we do in Ryanair; 

• a world leading operational flight data monitoring (“OFDM”) system; 

• a  Local  Air  Safety  Group  (“LASG”)  at  each  of  the  86  bases  across  Europe.  These  LASGs  comprise 
representatives from our front line operations teams including Flight Operations, In-Flight, Ground Operations 
and  Engineering.  The  LASGs  meet  regularly  to  discuss  safety  and  security  matters.  The  LASGs  operate 
independently of Ryanair Management. De-identified minutes are sent to the Safety Services Office in Dublin 
who are responsible for ensuring that matters raised are appropriately addressed by management; 

• state of the art simulator training centers in the U.K., Italy and Dublin, including 9 full flight simulators with a 

further 7 on order; 

• installed 7 Fixed Base Simulator in its training centers; 

• the industry’s first full size Boeing NG maintenance training aircraft based at London Stansted;  

• acquired a Boeing 737-700 for pilot training; 

• installed a Fixed Base Simulator at its Dublin Office & have 7 more simulators on order; 

• begun  equipping  all  of  its  fleet  with  the  Runway  Awareness  and  Advisory  System  (“RAAS”),  which  is  an 
electronic  detection  system  that  provides  aircraft  crews  with  information  relating  to  the  aircraft’s  position 
relative  to  the  airport’s  runway.  The  RAAS  is  a  significant  mitigation  for  three  of  the  Company’s  Key 
Operational Risk Areas (“KORAs”);   

• a 24-hour Safety Office and training and reporting systems; 

• independent safety audits and safety reporting channels from front line to Board level; and 

• implemented industry leading fixed 5/4 rosters which consists of 5 days on, followed by 4 days off for pilots 
and 5/3 for Cabin Crew, 5 days on followed by 3 days off which provides an excellent work life balance. 

28 

2. Energy Efficiency 

Current Fleet 

Ryanair operates a fleet of over 440 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, each with 189 seats with an average fleet age 

of 6.7 years. Ryanair expects to grow to approximately 585 aircraft by March 2024.  

Boeing 737-MAX-200 

The  Boeing  737-Max-200  (“Gamechanger”),  which  starts  delivering  in  Spring  2019,  represents  the  newest 
generation  of  Boeing's  737  aircraft.  It  is  a  short-to-medium  range  aircraft  and  seats  197  passengers  (8  more  than 
Ryanair’s  existing  189  seat  Boeing  737-800NG  fleet).  Ryanair  has  135  firm  orders  and  75  options  for  the 
Gamechanger. 

The  new  CFM  LEAP-1B  engines  which,  combined  with  Scimitar  winglets,  and  other  aerodynamic 
improvements, will reduce fuel consumption by up to 16% per seat compared to the Boeing 737-800NGs and will also 
cut noise emissions by up to 40% per seat. 

Dublin Offices 

In January 2014 Ryanair moved into a new 100,000 sq. ft. office building in Airside Business Park, Swords, Co. 
Dublin, K67 NY84, Ireland which houses its Irish operations including Ryanair Labs, the state-of-the-art digital and 
IT innovation hub. 

Other initiatives include: 

• Moving towards a paperless office, thereby reducing the need for printing 

• Recycling paper, toner, computer equipment and other waste 

• The use of solar panels to heat all water in the building 

• A canteen with a focus on healthy food and nutrition 

• Providing discounted gym membership programs for staff, to promote exercise and a healthy work/life balance 

• Operating the “Cycle to Work” Scheme, which allows staff to purchase a bicycle in a tax efficient manner. This 
contributes to lowering carbon emissions, reducing traffic congestion and improving the health and fitness 
levels of its people. 

3. Environmental Policy and Carbon Emissions 

 In March 2018 Ryanair launched its Environmental Policy Document which commits to ambitious future 
environmental targets building on impressive achievements to date, including commitments to address climate change, 
and the priorities and policies which will allow Ryanair to continue to lower CO2 emissions and noise pollution. 

This Environmental Policy illustrates Ryanair’s commitment to managing its impact on the environment by: 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

 Leading the way as Europe’s greenest, cleanest airline 
 Committing to ambitious environmental targets 
 Investing billions of euro in the newest, most fuel-efficient aircraft 
 Committing to eliminate all non-recyclable plastics within 5 years 
 Allowing customers to offset the carbon cost of their flights 

29 

 
 
 
 
Europe’s Cleanest Greenest Airline 

Over  the  first  years  of  the  ‘Always  Getting 
Better’  program,  Ryanair  has  changed  more  than  any 
other  airline,  as  it  rolled  out  a  series  of  digital  and 
customer experience improvements. 

As well as being Europe’s favorite airline, with 
the  best  customer  service,  Ryanair  is  also  Europe’s 
cleanest,  greenest  airline.  Ryanair  is  committed  to 
managing  the  demands  and  impacts  that  our  business 
activities  place  on  the  environment,  and  published  an 
environmental policy to highlight Ryanair’s outstanding 
environmental achievements to date and our ambitious 
environmental targets for the future. 

Aviation  is  the  most  efficient  form  of  mass 
point-to-point transport, accounting for just 2%  of  EU 
man-made CO2 emissions. (Road transport accounts for 
26%).  The  fuel  burn  per  passenger  km  for  a  Ryanair 
aircraft  is  0.019l,  44%  less  than  the  fuel  burn  per 
passenger  km  of  a  typical  family  car  of  0.034l. 
Nevertheless,  as  a  very  small  part  of  a  big  problem, 
aviation must play its role in addressing climate change; 
and  Ryanair,  as  Europe’s  largest  and  most  successful 
airline, is committed to leading the way. We support the 
Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to less 
than  2°C  above  pre-  industrial  levels.  We  support 
IATA’s 2050 target of an aviation sector that emits a net 
50% less CO2 against 2005 levels. 

Priorities 

Ryanair  is  committed  to  minimising  our  environmental  impact.  Through  a  process  of  continuous 

improvement, we will: 

•  Continue to comply fully with the environmental rules, regulations, standards, and codes of practice that 

apply to our sites, our people and our operations; 

•  Limit the  impact  of  aircraft  noise  on local environments;  our  new  Boeing  737-MAX-200  arriving  in 

Spring 2019 will further reduce noise by up to 40% per seat; 

•  Minimise  fuel  and  energy  consumption  to  limit  our  emissions  of  greenhouse  gases  and  pollutants 

impacting air quality; 

•  Commit to achieving an emissions rate of 61.4 grams of CO2 per passenger km by 2030, which is 8% 
lower than our current rate and 31% lower than the average of the four other biggest European airlines; 
•  Offer our customers an easy-to-use voluntary mechanism to offset the carbon cost of their journeys; and 
•  Work to remove all non-recyclable plastics from our operations over the next 5 years. 

Governance 

Ryanair’s Chief Operations Officer (COO) has direct accountability for environmental risks and impacts. 

The COO reports directly to the Board on issues related to Ryanair’s environmental policy. 

Accountability and Reporting 

Ryanair  management  is  responsible  for  implementing  our  priorities,  including  those  that  ensure 
compliance, enable the achievement of our targets, and manage environmental risk. The Board of Ryanair 
has oversight to ensure management fulfils company policy, including environmental policy.   

Others’ Responsibilities 

Environmental regulation has to be well designed and fair in order to support a competitive market place. 
Regulation of other aspects of industry can produce significant environmental benefits. For instance real action 

30 

 
 
 
by  Members  States  and  the  European  Commission  to  tackle,  at  European  level,  the  fragmentation  and 
inefficiency of Air Traffic Management could produce an enormous environmental benefit through enabling 
efficient routing and reduced fuel burn and emissions. Ryanair will continue to push for these reforms. 

Europe’s Greenest Airline 

Our business model means Ryanair is Europe’s greenest, cleanest airline, as we: 

•  Operate only point-to-point routes with industry-leading load factors (95% p.a.) 
•  Continuously invest in fuel-efficient new aircraft and improved engine technology 
•  Conduct the most efficient operational procedures in the industry 
•  Deliver  a  CO2  per  passenger  km  value  which  is  44%  below  the  Morgan  Stanley  Capital  International 

(MSCI) ACWI airline industry average, (MSCI 2018).  

•  Reduce our noise footprint by 86% with the introduction of the Boeing 737-800NG and will reduce it by 

93% with the introduction of the Boeing 737-MAX.  

Our Climate Targets 

To deliver on our environmental commitment, Ryanair has announced a 2030 carbon efficiency target and an 
absolute climate target for 2050.  

Our Framework for addressing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions 

Avoiding GHG’s: Our business model delivers direct, point-to-point flights with very high load factors. 
This reduces total flying relative to traditional hub-and-spoke models, which involve multiple journeys and 
numerous indirect flights. Increasing our load factors from 83% to 95% has reduced per passenger emissions 
by 13% in the last 4 years. 

Reducing GHG’s: We are industry leaders in fuel efficiency. We operate on of the youngest fleets of 
any major airline with an average age of 6.7 years and we deliver an industry-leading CO2 per passenger-km 
metric, which is which is 44% below the MSCI ACWI airline industry average (MSCI 2018). 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Substituting  GHG  Sources:  Like  many  airlines,  we  do  not  purchase  low-carbon  alternative  fuels 
(LCAF) due to their high cost and the lack of consensus on sustainability criteria. We commit to move to 
100%  LCAF  when  cost-competitive  alternatives  meeting  globally-agreed  sustainability  criteria  become 
available. 

Market  Based  Measures:  Ryanair  has  participated  in the  EU  Emissions  Trading  System  (ETS)  since 

2012. Ryanair will continue to comply fully with current and future emissions regulations.  

As a short-haul airline operating almost entirely within the EU, 87% of Ryanair’s emissions are subject 
to the EU ETS. This is a much higher proportion than legacy carriers, due to the EU’s decision to suspend 
the operation of the ETS on flights to / from non-EU countries. 

We believe that a single global market-based mechanism is the best way to govern emissions across the 
entire  aviation  industry.  Accordingly,  we  support  the  replacement  of  ETS  with  ICAO’s  CORSIA,  which 
represents an historic breakthrough in global carbon emission regulation. 

Our principles for the use of alternative fuels: 

•  Alternative  fuels  are  an  opportunity  for  the  aviation  sector  due  to  their  potential  to  reduce 

lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions 

•  Governments and fuel suppliers must prioritise the development of alternative fuels that deliver 

significant lifecycle CO2 savings 

•  Alternative fuels in aviation should be regulated by one set of global rules that treat all airlines equally 
•  The methods of quantifying lifecycle CO2 savings from alternative fuels should apply uniformly 

to all airlines 

•  The CO2 savings from an airline’s use of alternative fuels must be traceable and verifiable 

Engaging suppliers on the fuel-efficient design of new aircraft 

To deliver on ambitious climate targets, the next-generation of aircraft must deliver a step change in 
fuel  efficiency.  To  reinforce  this  requirement,  Ryanair  will  advocate  the  development  of  ambitious,  low-
emissions aircraft designs from major aircraft manufacturers as part of our procurement process.  

Carbon Offset Scheme 

In 2018 we started a voluntary option within our booking process which allows customers to make a 
donation  to  offset  carbon  emissions.  The  funds  raised  from  these  voluntary  guest  donations  will  be 
distributed annually to environmental charities, NGOs and the investment in technologies that reduce fuel 
burn within the aviation industry as selected by our people.  

Ryanair’s five-year plan to eliminate plastic 

Plastic pollution can unfavourably affect lands, waterways, oceans, animals and humans; and is one of 

the most significant threats to the environment. 

Ryanair is committed to minimising our environmental impact, and over the next five years, Ryanair will 

work to eliminate all non- recyclable plastics from our operations. 

We  will  work  with  our  suppliers  to  replace  our  current  non-recyclable  plastics  with  environmentally 

friendly alternatives such a bio-degradable cups, wooden cutlery & paper packaging. 

We  will  roll  out  our  plastics-free  policy  across  our  entire  operation  –  ground  operations,  engineering, 

inflight, at our bases and at our Head Office over the next 5 years. 

Environmental Principles of the UN Global Compact 

1.  Business should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges 

2.  Business should undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility 

3.  Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies 

32 

Fuel Efficiency Across Departments 

Route Network: Point to point flying avoids the excess emissions and noise produced by indirect transfer flights. 

Fleet Planning: New fuel efficient, quieter aircraft and engine designs, winglets that save fuel by reducing drag. 

Aircraft  Operations:  Single  engine  taxing  between  runway  and  terminal.  Continuous  descent  and  low-drag 
landing approaches minimize excess noise and fuel consumption. 

Cabin  Design:  The  high-density  seating  design  of  an  all  economy  class  &  high  load  factors  maximise  total 
passengers per flights. Strong light weight comfortable seats save fuel by reducing weight. 

Action Plan 

Environmental policy is an integral part of Ryanair’s business, not a stand-alone issue. Our 

Environmental Policy Action Plan is, therefore, central to what we do. As part of our Action Plan we undertake 
to do the following: 

1.  Report our progress toward the 2030 climate target at least annually; 

2.  Report  our  emissions  from  jet  fuel  at  least  annually,  with  a  view  to  incorporating  additional  emissions 

categories in future (e.g. from electricity consumption); 

3.  Procure fuel efficient new aircraft that deliver improvements in our fleet’s fuel efficiency; 

4.  Deliver fuel efficient operations and report on the savings from these activities; 

5.  Engage aircraft manufacturers on the need for ambitious low emissions aircraft designs; 

6.  Monitor the opportunities and risks posed by the emerging low carbon aviation fuels market; 

7.  Monitor the opportunities and risks posed by the implementation of the ICAO CORSIA system; 

8. 

Include in our corporate risk register a full set of climate related and environmental risks, including weather 

and physical events (e.g. volcanic activity), and geopolitical disruptions. 

9.  Offer our customers an easy-to-use transparent mechanism to offset the carbon cost of their journeys. 

Fleet Replacement 

Boeing 737-800NG 

The phase out of all of Ryanair’s older Boeing 737-200A aircraft was completed in December 2005 when Ryanair 
moved to an all Boeing 737-800NG aircraft fleet. Ryanair now operates a single aircraft fleet of Boeing 737-800NG 
aircraft with an average age of 6.7 years. By moving to an all Boeing 737-800NG fleet from a fleet of Boeing 737-
200As, Ryanair cut emissions per passenger by 31%. 

Boeing 737-MAX-200 

In  September  2014,  Ryanair  announced  an  order  for  up  to  200  Boeing  737-MAX-200  aircraft  (subsequently 
increased to 210 in June 2017). These aircraft, which will deliver between 2019 and 2024, have 197 seats (8 more than 
the existing 189 seat Boeing 737-800NG fleet), will be fitted with CFM LEAP 1B engines which, combined with new 
Scimitar winglets, slimline seats and other aerodynamic improvements, will reduce fuel consumption by up to 16% 
per seat and reduce operational noise emissions by up to 40% per seat. 

Emissions and Emissions Trading 

In the calendar  year 2017, Ryanair’s emissions equated to 0.084 t CO2 per passenger. In calendar  year 2017 

Ryanair spent over €49m acquiring credits under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to facilitate our growth.  

Year 
2017 
2016 
2015 
2014 
2013 

tCO2 per passenger  
0.084 
0.083 
0.085 
0.090 
0.094 

33 

 
 
 
The EU passed legislation requiring aviation to operate under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. This scheme 
is a cap-and-trade system for CO2 emissions to encourage industry to improve its CO2 efficiency. Airlines were granted 
initial CO2 allowances based on historical “revenue ton kilometres” and a CO2 efficiency benchmark. Any shortage 
of allowances has to be purchased in the open market and/or at government auctions. Ryanair takes its environmental 
responsibilities seriously and will continue to improve its environmental efficiency in order to minimise emissions. 

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  Dublin  Airport 
Authority plc (“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), Bergamo, Wroclaw 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 non-UK facilities Ryanair adheres to all local and EU regulations.  

Noise and Emissions 

Ryanair  is  committed  to  reducing  emissions  and  noise  through  investments  in  “next  generation”  aircraft  and 
engine  technologies  and  the  implementation  of  operating  and  commercial  processes  that  help  minimise  the 
environmental impact of its operations.  

Ryanair cuts noise and emissions through its “one  engine taxi” policy and strict compliance  with Cost Index 
Flight Planning recommendations. Using the correct Cost Index optimises the speed for each flight and maximises 
fuel efficiency. 

Ryanair’s current fleet of Boeing 737-800s have a reduced noise footprint of 86% over the Boeing 737-200 on a 
per passenger basis. The Boeing 737-MAX (“Gamechanger”) will further reduce this to 93% over the Boeing 737-
200. 

Ryanair was ranked No.1 of 30 airlines for Noise Abatement Compliance at London Stansted Airport (99.6%) 

& No.1 for Continual Descent Arrival at 7 UK airports 

“Ryanair topped the tree once again for noise abatement compliance, and have every year since 2012. Ryanair’s CDA 
compliance was an incredible 98.8% . . . especially as this figure includes non CDAs that were beyond the control of 
Ryanair flight crew . . .” London Stansted Airport, 2017. 

34 

 
 
• 

• 

100% of Ryanair aircraft meet ICAO Environmental Protection NOx Standard (Chapter 6) 

100% of Ryanair aircraft meet ICAO Environmental Protection Noise Standard (Chapter 4) 

4. People Management and Social 

Training,  career  development  and  promotion  opportunities  are  available  and  encouraged  for  all  of  Ryanair’s 
people. Ryanair remains a committed equal opportunities employer regardless of  nationality, race, gender,  marital 
status, disability, age, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs. The Group selects and promotes its people on 
the basis of merit and capability, providing the most effective use of resources.  

In  December  2017  Ryanair  announced  that  it  would  recognise  pilot  unions.  The  Company  has  made  good 
progress with these union discussions and has signed recognition agreements with pilot unions in Italy and the UK, 
and cabin crew unions in Italy, Germany and the UK. Ryanair considers its relations with its people to be good. 

Job Creation, Economic Growth & Integration 

Ryanair has more than 14,500 aviation professionals from over 40 different nationalities who crew and support 
Ryanair’s aircraft fleet. Last year over 600 of its people were promoted and we created approximately 1,500 new jobs. 
Ryanair has also created over 90,000 indirect jobs based on Airport Council International figures. 

In May 2018 CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies) released the findings of a research project exploring 
the impact of low-cost carriers in Europe in terms of integration and patterns of mobility. The report, titled ‘Low-Cost 
Airlines: Bringing the EU Closer Together’, considered several channels to assess the extent of the contribution of 
low-cost  carriers  like  Ryanair  to  European  integration  including  labour  and  student  mobility,  business  travel  and 
leisure  tourism.  Focusing  on  quantitative  data  as  well  as  qualitative,  individual  case  studies,  the  report  served  to 
highlight how low-cost connectivity improves the quality of people’s lives. The report found that LCC’s played a vital 
role in bringing Europe closer together by fostering mobility and making air travel affordable to a wider public. 

Low-cost airlines – led by Ryanair – have revolutionised air travel over the past 30 years. By challenging the 
high-fare  monopoly  legacy  carriers  in  Europe,  Ryanair  and  other  low-cost  airlines  have  done  more  for  European 
integration through travel, tourism and labour mobility, than perhaps any institution. 

European Works Councils (“EWC”) 

Ryanair runs a forum whereby employees and the airline discuss the transnational affairs of the business. This 

forum, or EWC, is typically held annually. 

The EWC provides further opportunity for employee representatives from all bases and departments to engage 
with the CEO and senior management regarding financial results, company growth and any other questions they may 
have. 

Charities 

Ryanair supports numerous charities across Europe. Each year Ryanair’s people select nominated charities and 
the Company has recently selected ISPCC / Childline as its chosen charity partner for 2018.  The Group also regularly 
makes donations to various charities from the proceeds of sales of its onboard scratch cards.  In 2017 the Company 
established the Ryanair Foundation to work with selected charitable partners and educational projects across Europe.  
In  2017  the  foundation  announced  its  sponsorship  (€1.5m  over  5-years)  for  a  new  Ryanair  Professor  of 
Entrepreneurship position at Trinity College Dublin’s Business School. 

Between 2008 and 2014, the Ryanair charity calendar contributed €100,000 per annum (€700,000 in the 7 years 

that it was produced) to designated charities across Europe. 

In May 2018 Ryanair announced a new 3-year Premier Corporate Partnership with the National Gallery of 
Ireland in Dublin. The partnership, which runs until 2020, will enable Ryanair to support the arts under its “Always 
Getting  Better”  programme.  The  newly  refurbished  Gallery,  which  was  founded  in  1854,  is  located  on  Dublin’s 
Merrion  Square  West  and  is  one  of  Ireland’s  leading  institutions  of  cultural  importance,  attracting  over  a  million 
visitors per year.  

35 

 
 
 
 
5. Ethics and Transparency 

Ryanair’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics 

Ryanair is committed to conducting business in an ethical fashion that complies with all laws and regulations in 
all of the countries in which Ryanair operates. Employees and representatives of Ryanair must consider how their 
actions affect the integrity and credibility of the Company as a whole. Ryanair’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics 
(“Code”) sets out the principles that constitute Ryanair’s way of doing business. The Code is reviewed and approved 
by the Audit Committee of the Board at least annually. 

The CEO and management at all levels of Ryanair are responsible for ensuring adherence to this Code. They are 
expected to promote an “open door” policy so that they are available to anyone with ethical concerns, questions or 
complaints.  All  concerns,  questions,  and  complaints  are  taken  seriously  and  handled  promptly,  confidentially  and 
professionally. 

Modern Slavery Act 2015  

Ryanair does not tolerate any infringement of human rights, including the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked 
labor, or anyone held in slavery or servitude (whether adults or children) in any part of our business or supply chain. 
We endeavor to only use suppliers that adhere to these principles and provide a safe and healthy working environment 
for their employees. 

Customer Charter, “Always Getting Better” (“AGB”) 

In  2014  Ryanair  launched  its  “Always  Getting  Better”  Customer  Charter.  This  underpins  the  Company’s 
relentless drive towards improving all aspects of the  Ryanair experience for its 139m expected guests (FY19) and 
comprises an 8-promise plan as follows: 

1.  AGB is the way we promise to do things. 
2.  We promise to always prioritise safety. 
3.  We promise the lowest fares. 
4.  We promise the best choice of destinations. 
5.  We promise to strive to make your travel an enjoyable experience. 
6.  We promise we will always be Europe’s most reliable airline. 
7.  We promise to be transparent and to make travel simple for you. 
8.  We promise to innovate, to make your travel exciting. 

Ryanair is Europe’s No. 1 customer service airline with the following Customer Service statistics in the financial 

year to March 31, 2018: 

• 

86% On Time Performance (“OTP”) 

•  Less than 2.9 complaints per 1,000 customers 

•  Less than 0.30 bag complaints per 1,000 customers 

•  Over 99% of complaints answered within 7 days 

6. Corporate Governance 

For a detailed description of the corporate governance procedures and structures in place within the Group, 

please refer to the Corporate Governance statement on page 13 of this Annual Report. 

36 

 
 
 
 
Report of the Remuneration Committee on Directors’ Remuneration 

1. The Remuneration Committee (“Remco”) 

The Board of Directors established Remco in September 1996. This committee has the authority to determine 
the  remuneration of Senior Executives of the Company and to administer the Company’s stock options plans as 
described on page 127.  The members of Remco are Howard Millar, Julie O’Neill & Stan McCarthy.  The role and 
responsibilities of Remco are set out in its written terms of reference, which are available on the Company’s website, 
https://investor.ryanair.com/governance. All members of Remco have access to the advice of the CEO and may, in 
the furtherance of their duties, obtain independent professional advice at the Company’s expense. 

2. Remuneration Policy 

The  policy  of  the  Company  is  to  ensure  that  the  CEO  and  the  senior  management  team  are  rewarded 
competitively, but in keeping with the ethos of a low cost airline, having regard to the comparative marketplace in 
Ireland and the United Kingdom, to ensure that they are motivated to deliver in the best interests of the shareholders. 

The  remuneration  of  senior  management  is  structured  towards  a  relatively  low  basic  salary  (by  airline 
comparatives) and a bonus scheme which allows senior managers to earn up to a maximum of 100% of their basic 
pay each  year by  way of bonus. In selecting annual performance targets, Remco takes into account the Group’s 
strategic objectives, short and long term business priorities. The bonus quantum is determined annually with up to 
50%  of  the  total  quantum  being  determined  by  reference  to  achieving  the  company’s  budgeted  profit  after  tax 
(“PAT”) for the fiscal year, and up to 50% of the total quantum being determined by reference to a written assessment 
of each senior manager’s personal performance against a list of rigorous performance targets for their individual 
department or areas of responsibility for that  fiscal  year.   These personal performance  targets  focus on strategic 
objectives such as cost control, customer service and operational performance. Historically, senior managers have 
rarely received 100% of their bonus entitlement, the average in recent years (when budgeted PAT has been achieved) 
is between 80% to 90%. 

The Company has a policy of minimising management expenses and accordingly it does not provide defined 
benefit  pensions,  company  cars,  or  unvouched  expenses  to  senior  managers.    All  expense  claims  must  be  fully 
vouched and are rigorously vetted on a monthly basis by the CFO and CEO. 

The total remuneration paid to senior management (defined as the Executive team reporting to the Board of 
Directors) is set out in Note 26 of the consolidated Financial Statements.  Company policy in respect of granting 
share options is dealt with in section 6 below. 

3. Performance 

Profit  after  tax  rose  10%  to  €1,450m  for  the  year,  this  was  despite  challenging  markets,  a  weak  fare 
environment, rising fuel prices and the pilot rostering difficulties in September 2017, and is due to the hard work of 
our people and loyalty of our customers. This strong result shows the resilience of our business model. 

4. Non-Executive Directors 

Details  of  remuneration  paid  to  Non-Executive  Directors  is  set  out  in  Note  18(b)  on  page  192  of  the 
consolidated  Financial  Statements.    In  keeping  with  the  Company’s  low-cost  ethos,  the  level  of  Non-Executive 
Director fees is low by EU airline industry comparatives. 

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 AGM following their appointment. Ryanair’s Articles of Association 
require that all Directors retire after a fixed period not exceeding 3 years. Ryanair has adopted a policy whereby all 
Directors retire on an annual basis and being eligible for re-election, offer themselves for election. This therefore 
gives Ryanair’s shareholders an annual opportunity to vote on the suitability of each Director. 

None of the Non-Executive Directors hold a service agreement with the Company that provides for benefits 

upon termination. 

37 

 
 
 
 
5. Chief Executive 

The CEO is the only Executive Director of the Board. Details of the CEO’s remuneration are disclosed in Note 

18(a) to the consolidated Financial Statements. 

The CEO’s pay and bonus, compared against the CEO pay of other large EU airlines, is set out below. Despite 
record  profitability  in  fiscal  2018,  the  CEO  volunteered  to  waive  all  of  his  performance  bonus  for  fiscal  2018 
following the pilot rostering failure in September 2017. 

Comparable EU Airline CEO Pay 

Fiscal 2018 
IAG 
Lufthansa 
Ryanair 
easyJet* 

Base Pay 
€’000 
974 
1,380 
1,058 
894 

Bonus 
€’000 
1,810 
1,551 
- 
- 

Pension 
€’000 
244 
318 
- 
62 

Share Based  
€’000 
1,474 
827 
1,250 
- 

Other 
€’000 
29 
117 
- 
2 

Total Pay 
€’000 
4,531 
4,193 
2,308 
958 

* The easyJet CEO announced her intention to resign after year-end and did not receive a bonus or share based payments 

source:  latest company accounts 

Fiscal 2017 
Ryanair 
Lufthansa 
IAG 
easyJet 

Base Pay 
€’000 
1,058 
1,380 
1,049 
894 

source:  latest company accounts 

Fiscal 2016 
IAG 
easyJet 
Lufthansa 
Ryanair 

source:  company accounts 

Base Pay 
€’000 
1,168 
937 
1,207 
1,058 

Bonus 
€’000 
950 
797 
700 
240 

Bonus 
€’000 
935 
1,238 
706 
855 

Pension 
€’000 
- 
141 
263 
62 

Pension 
€’000 
293 
66 
543 
- 

Share Based  
€’000 
1,250 
685 
998 
658 

Shared Based  
€’000 
6,439 
6,121 
626 
1,250 

Other 
€’000 
- 
117 
30 
6 

Other 
€’000 
37 
5 
115 
- 

Total Pay 
€’000 
3,258 
3,120 
3,040 
1,861 

Total Pay 
€’000 
8,871 
8,368 
3,197 
3,163 

The Company does not provide the CEO with any pension contributions or other benefits which is in keeping 

with the low cost ethos of the airline. 

In October 2014, the CEO signed a 5-year contract which commits him to the Company until September 2019.  
This contract replaced a rolling 12-month arrangement under which Michael O’Leary worked as CEO of the airline 
since 1994. The CEO is subject to a covenant not to compete with the Company within the E.U. for a period of 2 
years after the termination of his employment. The contract does not contain provisions providing for compensation 
on termination. 

6. Share Options 

A description of the Company’s share options scheme is available on page 127.  Details of the share options 
granted  to  Executive  and  Non-Executive  Directors  are  set  forth  in  Note  18(d)  to  the  consolidated  Financial 
Statements. 

Share  options  are  granted  occasionally,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Board  and  Remco  to  incentivise  superior 
performance  by  the  management  team,  to  encourage  their  long  term  commitment  to  Ryanair  and  to  align  the 
objectives of  management  with those  of the shareholders. We encourage  management,  through share options, to 
think and act like long term shareholders and prioritize shareholder returns.  Options are allocated by reference to 
basic pay levels and will only be exercisable where exceptional profit or share price targets have been achieved over 
a 5-year period from date of grant. Executives must remain in full time employment with the group for a 5-year 
period from the grant date in order to exercise these options.  The 5-year targets set by Remco are ambitious but 
commercially sensitive and have not, therefore, been disclosed. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
As at March 31, 2018, Non-Executive Directors held a modest number of share options as set out on page 193. 
Whilst the 2016 Code discourages the grant of options to Non-Executive Directors, the Company has a policy of 
complying with these codes or explaining why it does not.  In this case, because of its substantial NASDAQ listing 
and US shareholder base, where US investors encourage and promote modest Non-Executive Directors’ options, the 
Company  has  granted  a  small  amount  of  share  options  to  certain  Non-Executive  Directors.  The  Company,  in 
accordance with the 2016 Code, sought and received shareholder  approval to make these share option grants and 
Remco believes that this very modest number of options does not impair the independence of judgement or character 
of Non-Executive Directors. 

Details of employee share option plans are set forth on pages 187 and 188 in Note 14(c) to the consolidated 

Financial Statements. 

7. Directors’ Pension Benefits 

None of the Directors, including the Executive Director, receive any pension benefits as set forth in Note 18(c) 

to the consolidated Financial Statements. 

8. Directors’ Shareholdings 

The interests of each Director, that held office at the end of fiscal year 2018, in the share capital of the Company 

as at March 31, 2018, are set forth in Note 18(d) to the consolidated Financial Statements. 

9. Shareholders’ Vote on Remuneration 

A resolution to approve the Remuneration Report is put to shareholders at the Company’s AGM.  This advisory 
and non-binding resolution is often referred to as a “say on pay”. Details of the voting outcomes at the 2015, 2016 
and 2017 AGMs are set out below:  

        2015 AGM 
753,357,074        81.04% 
176,207,196        18.96% 
929,546,270 

Votes for 
Votes against 
Total* 
*Between August 31,2015 and August 31, 2017, the Company repurchased or cancelled over 161m 
ordinary shares. 

2016 AGM 
701,441,494       85.18% 
122,048,142       14.82% 
823,489,636 

2017 AGM 
692,092,964       88.73% 
87,914,461       11.27% 
780,007,425 

The Company has engaged with shareholders and the large proxy advisor firms (ISS, Glass Lewis & PIRC) on 
corporate governance matters in recent years.  The Committee is pleased with the growing support from shareholders 
for the Company’s remuneration policy. 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  Group  and  Company  financial  statements  for  each  financial  year.  
Under  that  law,  the  Directors  are  required  to  prepare  the  Group  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  IFRS  as 
adopted by the European Union and applicable law including Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.  The Directors have 
elected to prepare the Company financial statements in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union as 
applied in accordance with the provisions of Companies Act 2014. In preparing the consolidated financial statements 
the  Directors  have  also  elected  to  comply  with  IFRS  as  issued  by  the  International  Accounting  Standards  Board 
(“IASB”). 

Under company law the Directors must not approve the Consolidated and Company financial statements unless they 
are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Group and Company 
and of the Group’s profit or loss for that year.   

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 IFRS as adopted by the European Union and IFRS as issued by 
the IASB, and as regards the Company, as applied in accordance with the Companies Act 2014;  
assess the Group and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related 
to going concern; and  

• 

The Directors are also required by the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 and the Transparency 
Rules of the Central Bank of Ireland to include a management report containing a fair review of the business and a 
description of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group. 

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at 
any time the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and which enable them to ensure 
that the financial statements of the Company comply with the provision of the Companies Act 2014. The Directors 
are also responsible for taking all reasonable steps to ensure such records are kept by its subsidiaries which enable 
them to ensure that the financial statements of  the Group comply  with the provisions of the Companies  Act 2014 
including  Article  4  of  the  IAS  Regulation.  They  are  responsible  for  such  internal  controls  as  they  determine  is 
necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error, and have general responsibility for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group, and hence 
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Directors are also 
responsible for preparing a Directors’ Report that complies with the requirements of the Companies Act 2014. 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on 
the Group’s and Company’s website, https://investor.ryanair.com.  Legislation in the Republic of Ireland concerning 
the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Responsibility Statement as required by the Transparency Directive and UK Corporate Governance 

Code 

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed on pages 111 to 112 of this Annual Report, confirm that, 
to the best of each person’s knowledge and belief: 

• 

• 

• 

The Consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union and 
IFRS as issued by the IASB and the Company financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted 
by  the  European  Union  and  IFRS  as  issued  by  the  IASB,  as  applied  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of 
Companies Act 2014, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, and financial position of the Group and 
Company at March 31, 2018 and of the profit or loss of the Group for the year then ended;  
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 risk and 
uncertainties that they face; and  
The Annual Report and financial statements, taken as a whole, provides the information necessary to assess the 
Group’s performance, business model and strategy and is fair, balanced and understandable and  provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's position and performance, business model and 
strategy. 

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 
July 20, 2018 

  Michael O’Leary 
  Chief Executive 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Ryanair Holdings plc 

1 Opinion: our opinion is unmodified 

We have audited the financial statements of Ryanair Holdings plc (“the Company”) and subsidiaries (together, “the 
Group”)  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2018  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, including the accounting policies in note 1. The financial reporting framework that has been 
applied in their preparation is Irish Law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the 
European Union and, as regards the Company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of 
the Companies Act 2014. 

In our opinion: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  assets,  liabilities  and  financial 
position of the Group as at March 31, 2018 and of its profit for the year then ended; 

the Company Balance Sheet gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the 
Company as at March 31, 2018; 

the Consolidated Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted 
by the European Union; 

the Company Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by 
the European Union as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2014; and 

the Consolidated Financial Statements and Company Financial Statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2014 and, as regards the Consolidated Financial 
Statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

2 Our separate opinion in relation to IFRS as issued by the IASB is unmodified 

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 IFRS as adopted by the European Union, has also prepared its consolidated 
financial statements in compliance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). In 
our opinion: 

• 

• 

the Consolidated Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial position 
of the Group as at March 31, 2018 and of its profit for the year then ended; and 

the Consolidated Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by 
the IASB. 

BASIS FOR OPINIONS 

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  International  Standards  on  Auditing  (Ireland)  (“ISAs  (Ireland)”)  and 
applicable  law.  Our  responsibilities  under  those  standards  are  further  described  in  the  Auditor’s  Responsibilities 
section of our report.  We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis for our 
opinion.  Our audit opinion is consistent with our report to the Audit Committee. 

We were appointed as auditor by the Directors on December 31, 1985. The period of total uninterrupted engagement 
is  the  32  years  ended  March  31,  2018.    We  have  fulfilled  our  ethical  responsibilities  under,  and  we  remained 
independent of the Group in accordance with, ethical requirements applicable in Ireland, including the Ethical Standard 
issued  by  the  Irish  Auditing  and  Accounting  Supervisory  Authority  (IAASA)  as  applied  to  listed  public  interest 
entities. No non-audit services prohibited by that standard were provided. 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the 
financial statements and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to 
fraud) identified by us, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of 
resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team.  These matters were addressed in the context 
of  our  audit  of  the  financial  statements  as  a  whole,  and  in  forming  our  opinion  thereon,  and  we  do  not  provide a 
separate opinion on these matters. 

In arriving at our audit opinion above, the key audit matter was as follows: 

Aircraft residual values, estimated useful lives, and estimated  cost of major airframe and engine overhaul - carrying 
value of aircraft €8,052.2 million (2017 - €7,146.5 million) 
Refer to page 20 (Audit Committee Report), page 153 (accounting policy) and pages 163 to 164 (financial disclosures) 

The key audit matter 

How the matter was addressed in our audit  

The Group has aircraft with a carrying value of €8,052.2 
million  as  at  March  31,  2018  (2017:  €7,146.5  million) 
including  engines  and  related  equipment.  Aircraft  are 
depreciated  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  their  estimated 
useful  lives,  of  23  years  from  date  of  manufacture,  to 
estimated residual values, of 15% of current market value 
of  new  aircraft,  determined  periodically,  based  on 
independent  valuations  and  actual  aircraft  disposals 
during prior periods. On acquisition, an element of the cost 
of the acquired aircraft is attributed to its service potential, 
reflecting  the  maintenance  condition  of  its  engines  and 
airframe  and is depreciated over the period until its next 
major overhaul (component accounting). 

The Group makes estimates about its expected useful lives, 
expected  residual  values  and the  estimated  cost  of  major 
airframe and engine overhaul. The Group operates a fleet 
of Boeing 737-800 ‘next generation’ aircraft, all of which 
are aged between one and 15 years. There is an active and 
established market for this asset class. However, changes 
to  the  expected  useful  lives,  residual  values  or  estimated 
major airframe and engine overhaul costs, of the Group’s 
aircraft  fleet,  could  have  a  material  impact  on  the 
depreciation  charge  and  consequently  the  profit  for  the 
year. 

Our  audit  procedures  included,  amongst  others,  testing  the 
design,  implementation  and  effectiveness  of  the  key  controls 
over the estimates of useful economic life and residual value of 
the aircraft. 

We  assessed  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 historic experience. 

We compared the Group’s estimates of expected useful life and 
residual  value 
to 
published  estimates  of  other  international  airlines  and  to 
independent expert commentary. 

to  manufacturers’  recommendations, 

We agreed the fair value of this aircraft type to independent 
third  party  valuation  reports  prepared  by  specialist  aircraft 
valuation experts to assess the accuracy of the residual value 
estimate. 

We considered the key assumptions underpinning the Group’s 
near  and  medium  term  financial  projections  and  compared 
against  historical  performance  and  estimates  of  the  likely 
economic conditions in its principal markets. 

We assessed the adequacy of the related disclosures. 

We  are  satisfied  that  the  Group’s  judgement  with  regard  to 
estimates  of  aircraft  residual  values,  useful  lives  and  cost  of 
major airframe and engine overhaul was reasonable. 

Due to the nature of the Company’s activities, there are no key audit matters that we are required to communicate in 
accordance with ISAs (Ireland). 

43 

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

Materiality  for  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  as  a  whole  was  set  at  €80  million  (2016:  €74  million).  
Materiality for the Company financial statements was set at €15 million (2017: €10 million). 

Materiality has been calculated as 5% of the benchmark of Group profit before tax which we have determined in our 
professional judgement, to be one of the principal benchmarks within the financial statements relevant to members of 
the  Company in assessing the financial performance of the Group.  For the Parent Company, materiality has been 
calculated based on 1% of the benchmark of net assets. 
We report to the Audit Committee all corrected and uncorrected misstatements we identified through our audit with a 
value in excess of €4 million (Group) and €0.75 million (Parent Company) in addition to other audit misstatements 
below that threshold that we believe warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

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

5 We have nothing to report on going concern 

We  are  required  to  report  to  you  if  we  have  concluded  that  the  use  of  the  going  concern  basis  of  accounting  is 
inappropriate or there is an undisclosed material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt over the use of that basis 
for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. We have nothing to report 
in these respects. 

6 We have nothing to report on the other information in the Annual Report 

The Directors are responsible for the other information presented in the Annual Report together with the financial 
statements.  Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not 
express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether, based on our financial statements 
audit work, the information therein is materially misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements or our audit 
knowledge.  Based solely on that work we have not identified material misstatements in the other information. 

Based solely on our work on the other information; 

• 

• 

• 

we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors’ Report; 

in our opinion, the information given in the Directors’ Report is consistent with the financial statements;  

in our opinion, the Directors’ Report has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2014.  

DISCLOSURES OF PRINCIPAL RISKS AND LONGER-TERM VIABILITY 

Based on the knowledge we acquired during our financial statements audit, we have nothing material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to: 

• 

• 

the Principal Risks and Uncertainties disclosures describing these risks and explaining how they are being 
managed and mitigated; 

the Directors’ confirmation within the Viability Statement on page 26 that they have carried out a robust 
assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, 
future performance, solvency and liquidity; and 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

the Directors’ explanation in the Viability Statement of how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, 
over  what  period  they  have  done  so  and  why  they  considered  that  period  to  be  appropriate,  and  their 
statement  as  to  whether  they  have  a  reasonable  expectation  that  the  Group  will  be  able  to  continue  in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related 
disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions. 

OTHER CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURES 

We are required to address the following items and report to you in the following circumstances: 

• 

• 

• 

Fair, balanced and understandable: if we have identified material inconsistencies between the knowledge 
we acquired during our financial statements audit and the Directors’ statement that they consider that the 
Annual Report and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides 
the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model 
and strategy; 

Report  of  the  Audit  Committee:  if  the  section  of  the  Annual  Report  describing  the  work  of  the  Audit 
Committee does not appropriately address matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee; 

Statement  of  compliance  with  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code:  if  the  Directors’  statement  does  not 
properly  disclose  a  departure  from  provisions  of  the  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  specified  by  the 
Listing Rules for our review. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

In  addition  as  required  by  the  Companies  Act  2014,  we  report,  in  relation  to  information  given  in  the  Corporate 
Governance Report on pages 13 to 27, that: 

• 

based on the work undertaken for our audit, in our opinion, the description of the main features of internal 
control and risk management systems in relation to the financial reporting process, and information relating 
to  voting  rights  and  other  matters  required  by  the  European  Communities  (Takeover  Bids  (Directive 
2004/EC) Regulations 2016 and specified for our consideration is consistent with the financial statements 
and has been prepared in accordance with the Act; and 

• 

based on our knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of 
our audit, we have not identified any material misstatements in that information.   

We also report that, based on work undertaken for our audit, other information required by the Act is contained in the 
Corporate Governance Report. 

7 Our opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2014 are unmodified 

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

In our opinion, the accounting records of the Company were sufficient to permit the financial statements to be readily 
and properly audited and the Company’s Balance Sheet is in agreement with the accounting records. 

8 We have nothing to report on other matters on which we are required to report by exception 

The Companies Act 2014 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion, the disclosures of Directors’ remuneration and 
transactions required by Sections 305 to 312 of the Companies Act 2014 are not made. 

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

• 

the Directors’ statement, set out on page 26, in relation to going concern and longer-term viability; 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

• 

the part of the Corporate Governance Statement on page 27 relating to the Company’s compliance with the 
provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code and 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 
committee.  

9 Respective responsibilities 

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES 

As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 40, the Directors are responsible for: the preparation of the 
financial statements including being satisfied that they give a true and fair view; such internal control as they determine 
is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud  or  error;  assessing  the  Group  and  parent  Company’s  ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern,  disclosing,  as 
applicable, matters related to going concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend 
to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about  whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
material  misstatement,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error,  and  to  issue  our  opinion  in  an  auditor’s  report.  Reasonable 
assurance is a high level of assurance, but does not guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (Ireland) 
will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud, other irregularities or 
error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the 
economic  decisions  of  users  taken  on  the  basis  of  the  financial  statements.  The  risk  of  not  detecting  a  material 
misstatement resulting from fraud or other irregularities is higher than for one resulting from error, as they may involve 
collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control and may involve any 
area of law and regulation not just those directly affecting the financial statements. 

fuller 

description 

A 
https://www.iaasa.ie/getmedia/b2389013-1cf6-458b-9b8f-
a98202dc9c3a/Description_of_auditors_responsiblities_for_audit.pdf  

responsibilities 

our 

of 

is 

provided 

on 

IAASA’s 

website 

at 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10 The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities 

Our report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Section 391 of the Companies 
Act 2014. 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 our report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

July 20, 2018 

Emer McGrath 
for and on behalf of 
KPMG 
Chartered Accountants, Statutory Audit Firm 
1 Stokes Place 
St. Stephen’s Green 
Dublin 2 
Ireland 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  DAC, 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 0.600 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 
nineteen member states of the European Union (the “EU”), including Ireland. Various amounts and percentages set 
out in this Annual Report 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,  2018  (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 = $1.232, or $1.00 = €0.812, the official rate published 
by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board in its weekly “H.10” release (the “Federal Reserve Rate”) on March 31, 2018. The 
Federal Reserve Rate for euro on July 13, 2018 was €1.00 = $1.167 or $1.00 = €0.857. 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. 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 
predominantly 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,  “Brexit” (as 
defined below), costs associated with environmental, safety and security measures, significant outbreaks of airborne 
disease,  terrorist  attacks,  cyber-attacks,  actions  of  the  Irish,  U.K.,  EU  and  other  governments  and  their  respective 
regulatory agencies, dependence on external service providers and key personnel, fluctuations in currency exchange 
rates and interest rates, fluctuations in corporate tax rates, changes to the structure of the European Community and 
the  euro,  airport  handling  and  access  charges,  litigation,  labor  relations,  the  economic  environment  of  the  airline 
industry,  the  general  economic  environment  in  Europe,  the  general  willingness  of  passengers  to  travel,  continued 
acceptance of low fares airlines and flight interruptions caused by Air Traffic Controllers (“ATC”) strikes and staff 
shortages, extreme weather events or other atmospheric disruptions. The Company disclaims any obligation to update 
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

49 

 
 
 
DETAILED INDEX 

PART I 

Item 1. 

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers 

Item 2.  Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable 

Item 3.  Key Information 

Item 4. 

The Company 
Selected Financial Data 
Exchange Rates 
Selected Operating and Other Data 
Risk Factors 

Information on the Company 
Introduction 
Strategy 
Route System, Scheduling and Fares 
Marketing and Advertising 
Reservations on Ryanair.Com 
Aircraft 
Ancillary Services 
Maintenance and Repairs 
Safety Record 
Airport Operations 
Fuel 
Insurance 
Facilities 
Trademarks 
Government Regulation 
Description of Property 

Item 4A.  Unresolved Staff Comments 

Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects 

History 
Business Overview 
Recent Operating Results 
Critical Accounting Policies 
Results of Operations 
Fiscal Year 2018 Compared with Fiscal Year 2017 
Fiscal Year 2017 Compared with Fiscal Year 2016 
Seasonal Fluctuations 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards 
Liquidity and Capital Resources 
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions 
Trend Information 
Inflation 

50 

53 

53 

53 
53 
54 
56 
58 
59 

73 
73 
74 
77 
78 
79 
79 
81 
82 
83 
84 
85 
86 
87 
88 
89 
95 

95 

95 
96 
97 
98 
98 
99 
99 
102 
104 
104 
105 
110 
110 
110 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
              
 
 
Item 6.  Directors, Senior Management and Employees 

Directors 
Executive Officers 
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers 
Staff and Labor Relations 

Item 7.  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions 

Major Shareholders 
Related Party Transactions 

Item 8. 

Financial Information 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Other Financial Information 
Significant Changes 

Item 9.  The Offer and Listing 

Trading Markets and Share Prices 

Item 10.  Additional Information 

Description of Capital Stock 
Options to Purchase Securities from Registrant or Subsidiaries 
Articles of Association 
Material Contracts 
Exchange Controls 
Limitations on Share Ownership by Non-Eu Nationals 
Taxation 
Documents on Display 

Item 11.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

General 
Fuel Price Exposure and Hedging 
Foreign Currency Exposure and Hedging 
Interest Rate Exposure and Hedging 

Item 12.  Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities 

PART II 

Item 13.  Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies 

Item 14.  Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds 

Item 15.  Controls and Procedures 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

Item 16.  Reserved 

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert 

Item 16B. Code of Ethics 

Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

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

Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers 

51 

111 
111 
116 
117 
118 

120 
120 
120 

120 
120 
121 
123 

124 
124 

127 
127 
127 
128 
129 
130 
132 
132 
137 

138 
138 
139 
140 
141 

142 

143 

143 

143 
143 
143 
144 

144 

144 

144 

144 

145 

145 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 16F.  Change in Registrant’s Certified Accountant 

Item 16G. Corporate Governance 

Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure 

Item 17.  Financial Statements 

Item 18.  Financial Statements 

PART III 

145 

145 

145 

146 

146 

52 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 fare, scheduled airline serving short-haul, point-to-point routes from 86 bases to 
airports  across  Europe,  which  together  are  referred  to  as  “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 air travel model 
in Europe in the early 1990s.  As of June 30, 2018, the Company offered over 2,000 short-haul flights per day serving over 
200 airports across Europe, with a fleet of over 440 Boeing 737 aircraft. A detailed description of the Company’s business 
can be found in “Item 4. Information on the Company.” 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 year 2018 has been 
translated  from  euro  to  US$  using  the  Federal  Reserve  Rate  on  March  31,  2018.  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: 

Total operating revenues 
Total operating expenses 
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. dollars)/(euros) 
Ryanair Holdings diluted earnings per 
Ordinary Share (U.S. dollars)/(euros) 
Ryanair Holdings dividend paid per 
Ordinary Share (U.S. dollars)/(euros) 

Balance Sheet Data: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Total assets 
Current and long-term debt, including 

capital lease obligations 

Shareholders’ equity 
Issued share capital 
Weighted Average Number of Ordinary 

      2018(a) 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

(in millions, except per-Ordinary Share data) 

Fiscal year ended March 31,  

  $   8,810.0   €   7,151.0   €   6,647.8   €   6,535.8   €   5,654.0   €   5,036.7 
  $  (6,755.9)   €  (5,483.7)   €  (5,113.8)   €  (5,075.7)   €  (4,611.1)   €  (4,378.1) 
 658.6 
  $   2,054.1   €   1,667.3   €   1,534.0   €   1,460.1   €   1,042.9   € 
 (66.7) 
 (56.3)   € 
 (53.2)   € 
  $ 
 (0.5) 
 (4.2)   € 
  $ 
 315.0   € 
 591.4 
 982.4   € 
  $   1,985.1   €   1,611.3   €   1,470.3   €   1,721.9   € 

 (58.1)   € 
 2.1   € 

 (71.6)   € 
 2.6   € 

 (63.0)   € 
 (0.7)   € 

  $ 

 (198.5)   € 

 (161.1)   € 

 (154.4)   € 

 (162.8)   € 

 (115.7)   € 

 (68.6) 

  $   1,786.6   €   1,450.2   €   1,315.9   €   1,559.1   € 

 866.7   € 

 522.8 

  $   1.4970   €   1.2151   €   1.0530   €   1.1626   €   0.6259   €   0.3696 

  $   1.4839   €   1.2045   €   1.0464   €   1.1563   €   0.6246   €   0.3686 

n/a  

n/a   € 

n/a   €   0.2940   €   0.3750   € 

n/a 

2018(a) 

2018 

As of March 31,  
2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

(in millions) 
  $   1,866.5   €   1,515.0   €   1,224.0   €   1,259.2   €   1,184.6   €  1,730.1 
  $  15,229.7   €  12,361.8   €  11,989.7   €  11,218.3   €  12,185.4   €  8,812.1 

  $   4,882.4   €   3,963.0   €   4,384.5   €   4,023.0   €   4,431.6   €  3,083.6 
  $   5,505.7   €   4,468.9   €   4,423.0   €   3,596.8   €   4,035.1   €  3,285.8 
 8.8 
 7.3   € 
  $ 

 7.0   € 

 8.7   € 

 7.7   € 

 8.6   € 

Shares in issue during the year 

      1,193.5     

 1,193.5     

 1,249.7     

 1,341.0     

 1,384.7      1,414.6 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
Cash Flow Statement Data: 

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

      2018(a) 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

Fiscal year ended March 31,  

(in millions) 

  $   2,751.3   €   2,233.2   €   1,927.2   €   1,846.3   €   1,689.4   €  1,044.6 

activities 

  $ 

 (886.3)   € 

 (719.4)   €  (1,290.8)   € 

 (283.6)   €  (2,888.2)   € 

 300.7 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing 

activities 

  $  (1,506.5)   €  (1,222.8)   € 

 (671.6)   €  (1,488.1)   € 

 653.3   €   (856.1) 

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 

equivalents 

  $ 

 358.5   € 

 291.0   € 

 (35.2)   € 

 74.6   € 

 (545.5)   € 

 489.2 

(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, 2018 of €1.00 = $1.232 or $1.00 = €0.812. 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
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,  
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 

Month ended 
January 31, 2018 
February 28, 2018 
March 31, 2018 
April 30, 2018 
May 31, 2018 
June 30, 2018 
Period ended July 13, 2018 

U.K. pounds sterling per €1.00(c) 

Year ended December 31,  
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 

Month ended 
January 31, 2018 
February 28, 2018 
March 31, 2018 
April 30, 2018 
May 31, 2018 
June 30, 2018 
Period ended July 19, 2018 

(b) 

  Low 

     End of      Average      
  Period 
  High 
    1.378     1.328     1.277     1.382 
    1.210     1.330     1.210     1.393 
    1.086     1.103     1.052     1.202 
    1.055     1.107     1.038     1.152 
    1.202     1.130     1.042     1.204 

    1.243     1.220     1.192     1.249 
    1.221     1.234     1.221     1.248 
    1.232     1.233     1.222     1.244 
    1.207     1.227     1.207     1.238 
    1.167     1.182     1.155     1.200 
    1.168     1.168     1.158     1.182 
   1.167    1.169    1.160    1.174 

      Low 

  Average   
(b) 

  End of 
     Period      
      High 
    0.830     0.849     0.810     0.875 
    0.776     0.806     0.776     0.840 
    0.737     0.723     0.694  
 0.785 
    0.852     0.823     0.732     0.912 
    0.888     0.876     0.835     0.926 

    0.875     0.883     0.871     0.891 
    0.886     0.884     0.877     0.889 
    0.879     0.883     0.872     0.893 
    0.877     0.872     0.863     0.880 
    0.879     0.877     0.870     0.884 
    0.884     0.879     0.872     0.884 
   0.894    0.886    0.881    0.894 

56 

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

Year ended December 31,  
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 

Month ended 
January 31, 2018 
February 28, 2018 
March 31, 2018 
April 30, 2018 
May 31, 2018 
June 30, 2018 
Period ended July 13, 2018 

(b) 

  Low 

     End of      Average      
  Period 
  High 
    0.603     0.639     0.603     0.674 
    0.642     0.607     0.583     0.644 
    0.678     0.656     0.630     0.683 
    0.811     0.741     0.676     0.823 
    0.739     0.776     0.736     0.825 

    0.705     0.723     0.701     0.740 
    0.725     0.716     0.702     0.725 
    0.713     0.716     0.702     0.727 
    0.727     0.710     0.698     0.727 
    0.753     0.742     0.735     0.754 
    0.758     0.752     0.745  
 0.764 
   0.757    0.757    0.754    0.761 

(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 13, 2018, the exchange rate  between the U.S.  dollar and the  euro was €1.00 =  $1.167, or $1.00 = 
€0.857 and the exchange rate between the U.K. pound sterling and the U.S. dollar was U.K. £1.00 = $1.322, or $1.00 = 
U.K. £0.757. As of July 19, 2018 the exchange rate between the U.K. pound sterling and the euro was U.K. £1.00 = €1.118, 
or  €1.00  =  U.K.  £0.894.  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.” 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 from certain other 
data, and are not audited. For definitions of the terms used in this table, see the Glossary in Appendix A. 

Operating Data: 
Operating Margin 
Break-even Load Factor 
Average Booked Passenger Fare (€) 
Ancillary Rev. per Booked Passenger (€) 
Cost Per Booked Passenger (€) 
Average Fuel Cost per U.S. Gallon (€) 

Other Data: 
Revenue Passengers Booked (millions) 
Booked Passenger Load Factor 
Average Sector Length (miles) 
Sectors Flown 
Number of Airports Served at Period End 
Average Daily Flight Hour Utilization (hours) 
Team Members at Period End 
Team Members per Aircraft at Period End 

2018 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
2016 

2015 

2017 

2014 

 23 %   
 73 %   

 22 %   
 73 %   

 22 %   
 72 %   

 18 %   
 72 %   

 13 % 
 72 % 

 39.40   
 15.48   
 42.08   
 1.65   

 40.58   
 14.83   
 42.62   
 1.83   

  46.67   
  14.74   
  47.69   
  2.21   

 47.05   
 15.39   
 50.92   
 2.34   

 46.40  
 15.27  
 53.61  
 2.45  

2018 
 130.3   

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
2016 
 106.4   

2017 
 120.0   

2015 
 90.6   

2014 
 81.7  

 95 %   

 94 %   

 93 %   

 88 %   

 83 % 

 775   
    725,044   
 216   
 9.13   
 14,583   
 34   

 770   
 675,482   
 207   
 9.33   
 13,026   
 34   

 762   
 609,501   
 200   
 9.36   
 11,458   
 34   

 776   
 545,034   
 189   
 9.03   
 9,394   
 31   

 788  
 524,765  
 186  
 8.81  
 8,992  
 30  

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
     
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
RISK FACTORS 

Risks Related to the Company 

Changes in Fuel Costs and Availability Affect the Company’s Results. Jet fuel is subject to wide price 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 in fiscal year 2018 decreased when compared to fiscal year 2017. 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 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. 
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 recent volatility in the relevant currency 
and  commodity  markets.  Any  movements  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.  

No assurances whatsoever can be given about trends in fuel prices. Average fuel prices for future years may be 
significantly  higher  than  current  prices.  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. The expansion of Ryanair’s 
fleet has resulted and will likely continue to result in an increase in Ryanair’s aggregate fuel consumption.  

Additionally, declines in the price of oil may expose Ryanair to some risk of hedging losses that could lead to 

negative effects on Ryanair’s financial condition and/or results of operations.  

Ryanair is Subject to Cyber Security Risks and May Incur Increasing Costs in an Effort to Minimize Those Risks. 
As almost all of Ryanair’s reservations are made through its website and mobile App, security breaches could expose it to 
a risk of loss or misuse of customer information, litigation and potential liability. A third party service organization is used 
for the reservation process which is also subject to cyber security risks. Ryanair takes steps to secure its website and is 
fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard “PCI DSS”. Nevertheless, the security measures 
which have been or will be implemented may not be  effective, and Ryanair’s 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. 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ryanair is subject to increasingly complex data protection laws and regulations. Ryanair’s business involves the 
processing and storage on a large scale of personal data relating to its customers, employees, business partners and others 
and is therefore subject to new and increasingly complex data protection laws and regulations. Ryanair is subject to the 
GDPR (which became fully applicable on May 25, 2018) as well as relevant national implementing legislation (Irish Data 
Protection Act 2018), which introduce a number of new significant obligations and requirements upon subject companies. 
Ryanair has set up a Privacy Working Group, which assists the Company Data Protection Officer, to ensure data protection 
compliance and to implement any additional controls to facilitate compliance with the GDPR and other data protection 
laws in the future. Ensuring compliance with data protection laws is an ongoing commitment which involves  substantial 
costs, and it is possible that despite Ryanair’s efforts governmental authorities or third parties will assert that Ryanair’s 
business practices fail to comply with these laws and regulations. If its operations are found to be in violation of any of 
such laws and regulations, Ryanair may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative damages, penalties and 
fines, as well as reputational harm, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results 
of operations. 

Ryanair Has Seasonally Grounded Aircraft. In prior years, in response to typically lower Winter traffic and yields, 
higher airport charges and/or taxes and, at times, higher fuel prices, Ryanair adopted a policy of grounding a certain portion 
of its fleet during the Winter months (from November to March). Ryanair carries out its scheduled heavy maintenance 
during  the  Winter  months  which  also  results  in  the  grounding  of  aircraft.  In  the  Winter  of  fiscal  year  2018,  Ryanair 
grounded approximately 60 aircraft (consistent with the 40 aircraft in fiscal year 2017 plus an additional 25 groundings in 
response to the September 2017 pilot rostering management failure) and the Company intends to again ground a similar 
number of aircraft in fiscal  year  2019 (excluding the 25 groundings referred to above). Ryanair’s 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 the negative impact on operating income 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.  

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 continuously 
implementing  new  strategic  initiatives  under  its  “Always  Getting  Better”  (“AGB”)  customer  experience  program  that 
could have a significant impact on its business.  In recent fiscal years, Ryanair announced a series of customer-experience 
related initiatives under its AGB customer experience program, including a new easier-to-navigate website, a mobile app, 
reduced penalty fees, more customer-friendly baggage allowances, 24 hour grace periods to correct minor booking errors, 
the introduction of allocated seating for all passengers, security fast track in selected airports, family, business traveler and 
group booking facilities, new crew uniforms, new cabin interiors, an improved inflight menu, the introduction of additional 
routes,  the  introduction  of  connecting  flights  and  express  booking.  For  additional  information  on  these  initiatives,  see 
“Item 4. Information on the Company —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. There can be no assurance that revenues from allocated seating will offset the reduction in ancillary 
revenues.  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 an increase 
in expected costs) could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s growth or financial performance.  

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  substantially  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 
and, from time to time, between the euro and the U.K. pound sterling, hedging activities cannot be expected to eliminate 
currency risks. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” 

The  “Brexit”  Referendum  and  the  resulting  uncertainty  about  the  status  of  the  U.K.  could  adversely  affect 
Ryanair’s business. Following the Brexit Referendum and the U.K. government’s invocation of Article 50 of the Lisbon 
Treaty, necessary in order to begin the process by which the U.K. will leave the EU, negotiations have commenced to 
determine the future terms of the U.K.’s relationship with the EU. This includes the renegotiation, either for a transitional 
period or more permanently,  or both, of a number of arrangements between the EU and the U.K.  that directly  impact 
Ryanair’s  business.  These  arrangements  include,  inter  alia,  freedom  of  movement  between  the  U.K.  and  the  EU, 
employment rules governing the relationship between the U.K. and the EU, the status of the U.K. in relation to the EU’s 
open air transport market and the tax status of EU member state entities operating in the U.K.  Adverse changes to any of 
these  arrangements,  and  even  uncertainty  over  potential  changes  during  any  period  of  negotiation,  could  potentially 
materially impact on Ryanair’s financial condition and results of operations in the U.K. or other markets Ryanair serves. 

Depending on the outcome of negotiations between the U.K. and the EU, there remains a distinct possibility that 
there may be no flights, for an unknown period of time, between the U.K. and the EU from the end of March 2019 if 
agreement has not been reached in relation to European “Open Skies” or replacement bilateral agreements. This may lead 
to a situation whereby the Company could temporarily relocate its U.K. based aircraft (approximately 22% of its current 
fleet) to alternative European bases. Ryanair  may also be  unable to operate  its domestic U.K. flights (less than 1% of 
current capacity) under its existing Air Operator Certificate (“AOC”) and has therefore applied for a U.K. AOC which it 
intends to receive before the end of 2018. Alternatively, the Company may decide to cancel such routes. 

Ryanair is exposed to Brexit-related risks and uncertainties, as approximately 24% of revenue in fiscal year 2018 
came from operations in the U.K., although this was offset somewhat by approximately 17% of Ryanair’s non-fuel costs 
in fiscal year 2018 which were related to operations in the U.K. 

Brexit  could  also  present  Ryanair  with  a  number  of  potential  regulatory  challenges.  Brexit  could  lead  to 
potentially divergent national laws and regulations as the U.K. determines which EU laws to replace or replicate. It could 
also require special efforts to ensure Ryanair’s continuing compliance with EU Regulation No. 1008/2008, which requires 
that air carriers registered in EU member states be majority-owned and effectively controlled by EU nationals. If U.K. 
holders of the Company’s shares are no longer designated as EU nationals, the Board of Directors may have to take action 
to ensure continuing compliance with EU Regulation No. 1008/2008. For additional information, please see “Item 3  – 
Risks Related to Ownership of the Company’s Ordinary Shares or ADRs”.   

Brexit has caused, and may continue to cause, both significant volatility in global stock markets and currency 
exchange rate fluctuations, as well as create significant uncertainty among U.K. businesses and investors. In particular, 
the pound sterling has lost approximately 6% and 15% of its value against the U.S. Dollar and the euro respectively since 
the Referendum. Further, the Bank of England and other observers have warned of a significant probability of a Brexit-
related recession in the U.K. The Company earns a significant portion of its revenues in pounds sterling, and any significant 
decline in the value of the pound and/or recession in the U.K. would materially impact its financial condition and results 
of operations.  For the remainder of fiscal year 2019, taking account of timing differences between the receipt of sterling 
denominated  revenues  and  the  payment  of  sterling  denominated  costs,  Ryanair  estimates  that  every  1  pence  sterling 
movement in the €/£ exchange rate will impact income by approximately €6 million. For additional information, please 
see “Item 3 – Currency Fluctuations Affect the Company’s Results”.   

61 

 
 
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 to which it operates. Ryanair cannot offer any assurances regarding its future profitability. 
Changes in fuel costs and availability could have a material adverse impact on Ryanair’s results. See “—The Company 
Faces Significant Price and Other Pressures in a Highly Competitive Environment” below and “—Changes in Fuel Costs 
and Availability Affect the Company’s Results” above. 

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 Paris (Beauvais), La Rochelle, Carcassonne, 
Girona,  Reus,  Târgu  Mures  and  Montpellier  airports.  The  investigations  seek  to  determine  whether  the  agreements 
constitute illegal state aid under EU law. The investigations are expected to be completed in late 2018, with the European 
Commission’s decisions being appealable to the EU General Court. Between 2010 and 2018, investigations into Ryanair’s 
agreements  with  the  Bratislava,  Tampere,  Marseille,  Berlin  (Schönefeld),  Aarhus,  Dusseldorf  (Weeze),  Brussels 
(Charleroi),  Frankfurt  (Hahn),  Alghero,  Stockholm  (Västerås)  and  Lübeck  airports  concluded  with  findings  that  these 
agreements contained no state aid.  Between 2014 and 2016, the European Commission announced findings of state aid to 
Ryanair  in  its  arrangements  with  Pau,  Nimes,  Angouleme,  Altenburg,  Zweibrücken,  Cagliari  and  Klagenfurt  airports, 
ordering Ryanair to repay a total of approximately €22.5 million of alleged state aid.  Ryanair is appealing these seven 
“aid” decisions to the EU General Court. These appeal proceedings are expected to take between two and four years.  In 
addition to the European Commission investigations, Ryanair is facing an allegation that it has benefited from unlawful 
state aid in a German court case in relation to its arrangements with Frankfurt (Hahn). 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.  

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 programs), 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, 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.” 

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. Any decrease in 
fuel prices may enable weaker, unhedged, airlines to pass through fuel savings via lower fares. There is no guarantee that 
lower fuel prices will not lead to greater price competition and encourage new entrants to the market in the short to medium 
term. 

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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 travelers 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 over 440 aircraft in its fleet as at June 30, 2018 and has ordered an additional 225 new aircraft (a mix 
of 15 new Boeing 737-800 next generation aircraft and 210 737-MAX-200 aircraft (including 135 firm and 75 option 
aircraft) for delivery post June 30, 2018 to fiscal year 2024 pursuant to contracts with the Boeing Company (the “2013 
Boeing Contract” and “2014 Boeing Contract”)). Ryanair expects to have approximately 585 operating aircraft in its fleet 
by March 31, 2024, 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 2014 Boeing Contract and other general corporate purposes, Ryanair 
DAC has raised and expects to continue to raise substantial debt financing, including Ryanair’s issuance of €750 million 
in 1.125% unsecured Eurobonds with a 6.5-year tenor in February 2017 that is guaranteed by Ryanair Holdings. 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. Additionally, Ryanair’s ability to raise unsecured or secured debt 
to pay for aircraft is subject to potential volatility in the worldwide financial markets. 

Using the debt capital markets to finance the Company requires the Company to retain its investment grade credit 
ratings (the Company has a BBB+ (stable) credit rating from S&P and a BBB+ (stable) credit rating from Fitch Ratings). 
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 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.” 

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 200 
million passengers per annum by March 31, 2024, an increase of approximately 53% from the approximately 130 million 
passengers  booked  in  fiscal  year  2018.  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. 

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The continued expansion of Ryanair’s fleet and operations combined with 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.  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 significant cash needs as it expands, including the cash required to fund aircraft 
purchases or aircraft deposits related to the acquisition of additional Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-MAX-200 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” above. 

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 at a specified time. As part of Ryanair’s recent 
strategic initiatives, which include more flights to primary airports, Ryanair is operating to an increasing number of slot 
coordinated airports, a number of which have constraints at particular times of the day. There can be no assurance that 
Ryanair will be able to obtain a sufficient number of slots at slot-coordinated 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. 

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 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”. 

Labour  Relations  Could  Expose  the  Company  to  Risk.  Ryanair  announced  in  December  2017  its  decision  to 
recognise trade unions for collective bargaining purposes. Since then Ryanair has concluded recognition agreements in the 
UK and Italy for pilots. The majority of cabin crew are also covered by recognition agreements. Ryanair is currently in 
negotiations with other unions representing both pilots and cabin crew throughout Europe to recognise those unions for 
collective bargaining whilst transitioning from the current Employee Representative Committees (“ERC”) model.   

Over 95% of Ryanair pilots have already accepted an updated pay deal but there is still the potential for claims 
from unions to increase pay over and above what has already been agreed.  There may be a push for legacy type working 
conditions  which  if  acceded  to  could decrease  the  productivity  of  pilots,  increase  costs  and  have  an  adverse  effect  on 
profitability. Ryanair intends to retain its low fare high people productivity model; however, there may be periods of labour 
unrest as unions challenge the existing high productivity model which may have an adverse effect on customer sentiment 
and profitability. 

64 

 
 
 
Ryanair crew with the exception of those based in the UK operate on Irish contracts of employment. That model 
has been challenged in the past by individuals and may continue to be challenged by trade unions who often favour local 
employment  contracts.  If  local  contracts  were  imposed  it  could  impact  on  costs,  productivity  and  complexity  of  the 
business. Any subsequent decision to switch capacity to lower cost locations could result in redundancies and a consequent 
deterioration in labour relations. Following the  European  Court of Justice  (the  “ECJ”) decision in the  “Mons”  case in 
September 2017, the case has been referred to the Belgian Labour Court in Mons, and with a hearing date set for November 
2018  and  a  decision  expected  in  early  2019.  An  unfavourable  decision  could  mean  the  introduction  of  local  Belgian 
contracts however, this decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court.  Ryanair could face legal challenge from trade 
unions arising from unrealistic demands and expectations that do not align with the Company’s high productivity business 
model.  

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 (including the Canary 
Islands) and Portugal 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  CEO,  and  key  financial,  commercial, 
operating, IT and maintenance personnel.  In October 2014, Mr. O’Leary signed a five-year contract with the Company. 
This contract can be terminated by either party giving twelve months’ notice. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management 
and  Employees—Compensation  of  Directors  and  Executive  Officers—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 several 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 Elimination of Airport Check-
in  Facilities.  Ryanair’s  flight  reservations  are  made  through  its  website,  mobile  app  and  Global  Distribution  Systems 
(GDSs). Ryanair has established contingency programs which include hosting its website in multiple locations and having 
a back-up booking engine available to support its existing booking 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.  

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All Ryanair passengers are 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.  

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 
currently 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 price comparison provided they sign a licence and use the agreed method 
to  access  the  data.  Ryanair  also  permits  Travelport  (trading  as  Galileo  and  Worldspan)  and  Sabre,  GDS  operators,  to 
provide access to Ryanair’s fares to traditional and corporate travel agencies.  Ryanair has obtained both favorable and 
unfavorable rulings in its actions in EU member states 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 
conditions. 

For additional details, see “Item 8. Financial Information—Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings—

Legal Proceedings Against Internet Ticket Touts.” 

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%. 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.  

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 corporation taxes 
and would have an adverse impact on Ryanair’s cash flows, financial position and results of operations.  

Change  in  EU  Regulations  in  Relation  to  Employers  and  Employee  Social  Insurance  Could  Increase  Costs. 
European legislation governs the country in which employees and employers must pay social insurance costs. Under the 
terms of  legislation introduced in 2012, employees and employers  must pay social  insurance in the country  where the 
employee is based. Prior to June 2012, Ryanair paid employee and employer social insurance in the country under whose 
laws  the  employee’s  contract  of  employment  was  governed,  which  was  either  the  U.K.  or  Ireland.  The  legislation 
introduced  in  2012  included  grandfathering  rights  whereby  existing  employees  (i.e.  those  employed  prior  to  the 
introduction of the new legislation in June 2012) were exempt from the effects of the new legislation for a period of 10 
years up until 2022 provided they did not transfer between bases. Each country within the EU has different rules and rates 
in relation to the calculation of employee and employer social insurance contributions and any increase in the rates of 
contributions will have an adverse impact on Ryanair’s cash flows, financial position and results of operations.  

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 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 uncertainty arising from the Eurozone debt crisis, there was widespread speculation regarding the future 
of the Eurozone. In addition, following the 2016 Brexit Referendum, the U.K. invoked the declaration required by Article 
50 of the Lisbon Treaty to begin the process by which the U.K will leave the EU. As a result, the pound sterling has been 
volatile against the euro and could become more volatile as we approach the Brexit date. 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 strengthening in the value of the 
euro primarily against U.K. pound sterling and other non-Eurozone currencies such as Polish zloty or a weakening against 
the U.S. dollar 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, austerity measures still in effect in several European countries and social and political 
instability associated with the influx of refugees related to the wars in Syria and Afghanistan could mean that Ryanair may 
be unable to expand its operations due to lack of demand for air travel.  

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 and in the U.K. following Brexit, 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 and increased Brexit-related uncertainty in the 
U.K.,  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. 

Brexit  and  the  resulting  uncertainty  could  adversely  affect  Ryanair’s  business.  On  March  29,  2017  the  U.K. 
invoked the declaration required by Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to begin the process by which the U.K. will leave the 
EU. Please see “Risks Related to the Company — The “Brexit” Referendum and the resulting uncertainty about the status 
of the U.K. could adversely affect Ryanair’s business.” Above for further information. 

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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.  The increase in this tax has had a negative impact on Ryanair’s 
operating performance, both in terms of average fares paid and growth in passenger volumes. On December 3, 2014, the 
U.K. government announced that it was reducing APD for children under the age of 12 years from May 1, 2015. It was 
also announced that this reduction of APD would be extended to persons under the age of 16 years from March 1, 2016. 
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). 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. From June 2016, the Norwegian government introduced a passenger travel tax of 
NOK80 (equivalent to approximately €8.50) which resulted in Ryanair closing its Oslo Rygge base in late October 2016. 
The Swedish government has introduced a passenger tax of SEK60 (equivalent to approximately €6) on April 1, 2018. 

Other  governments  have  also  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. 

Political uncertainty and an increase in trade protectionism could have a material adverse effect on Ryanair’s 
business, results of operation and financial condition. The current U.S. administration has voiced strong concerns about 
imports from countries that it perceives as engaging in unfair trade practices, and has imposed tariffs on certain goods 
imported  into  the  United  States  and  has  raised  the  possibility  of  imposing  significant,  additional  tariff  increases.  The 
announcement of unilateral tariffs on imported products by the U.S has triggered retaliatory actions from certain foreign 
governments  and  may  trigger  retaliatory  actions  by  other  foreign  governments,  potentially  resulting  in  a  “trade  war”. 
Certain foreign governments have instituted or are considering imposing trade sanctions on certain U.S. goods. Others are 
considering the imposition of sanctions that will deny U.S. companies access to critical raw materials. These measures 
could increase the price of goods and services globally and may affect Ryanair, which has exposure, either directly or 
indirectly, to certain raw materials, including steel used for aircraft it purchases and jet fuel. A “trade war” of this nature 
or  other  governmental  action  related  to  tariffs  or  international  trade  agreements  has  the  potential  to  adversely  impact 
demand for Ryanair’s services, its costs, customers, suppliers and/or the Irish, E.U., U.S. or world economy or certain 
sectors thereof and, thus, to adversely impact Ryanair’s business.  

The Company is Substantially Dependent on Discretionary Air Travel. As 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  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company’s 
profitability or financial condition. Similarly, any significant increase in expenses related to security, insurance or related 
costs could have a material adverse effect on the Company. As a consequence, future terrorist attacks in Europe, the U.S. 
or elsewhere, 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.  

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. The regulation calls for compensation of €250, €400, or 
€600 per passenger, depending on the length of the flight and the cause for the cancellation or delay, i.e. whether it is 
caused by “extraordinary circumstances”. 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 two hours 
are also entitled to “assistance,” including meals, drinks and telephone calls, as well as hotel accommodation 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. On September 15, 2017, the Company announced the cancelation of 40 to 50 flights daily until the end 
of October as the Company’s system-wide punctuality fell below 80 percent in the first two weeks of September 2017. 
The drop in punctuality was due to a combination of ATC capacity delays and strikes, weather disruptions and the impact 
of increased  holiday allocations to pilots and cabin crew.  Customers  were offered alternative flights or full refunds in 
connection with this cancellation. There can be no assurance that the Company will not incur a significant increase in costs 
in the future due to the impact of this regulation if Ryanair experiences a large number of delays or cancelled flights, which 
could occur as a result of certain types of events beyond its control. Further, recently courts in several jurisdictions have 
been broadening the definition of the term “extraordinary circumstances” thus allowing increased consumer claims for 
compensation. In September 2015, the European Court of Justice, in Van der Lans v KLM, held that airlines are required 
to provide compensation to passengers even in the event of a flight cancellation on account of unforeseen technical defects. 
See “—Risks Related to the Airline Industry— Extreme Weather Events Could Affect the Company and Have a Material 
Adverse Effect on the Company’s Results of Operations” below. 

Under the terms of Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, described above, in addition to the payment of compensation, 
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.   Passengers must also be given a re-routing option if their flight is delayed over three hours or 
if it is cancelled.  Such re-routing options are not limited to Ryanair flights and other carriers must be considered if no 
suitable  Ryanair  flight  can  be  sourced.    If  a  passenger  elects  for  a  refund,  Ryanair’s  reimbursement  and  re-routing 
obligations cease. 

EU Regulation of Emissions Trading Will Increase Costs. The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (“ETS”), 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 has to be purchased in the open market and/or at government auctions. The cost of such allowances increased 
significantly during  fiscal  year 2018 and has continued to rise  in the fiscal  year 2019. 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. 

Extreme  Weather  Events  Could  Affect  the  Company  and  Have  a  Material  Adverse  Effect  on  the  Company’s 
Results of Operations. In 2010 and 2011 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, which resulted in the cancellation 
of a significant number of flights. 

Extreme weather events 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, the 
occurrence of such events and the 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. 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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,  swine  flu  and  the  Zika  virus  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 may also 
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 33 year 
safety record. In past years, however, accidents or other safety-related incidents involving certain other 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.  

The Company Faces the Risk of Loss and Liability. Ryanair has an excellent 33 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 Company is Substantially Dependent on Discretionary Air Travel” 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. 

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 35% of total operating expenses in fiscal year 2018, management anticipates that this 
percentage may vary significantly in future years. See “—Changes in Fuel Costs and Availability Affect the Company’s 
Results” 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”) and or European Aviation Safety Agency (the “EASA)” has 
required a number of such procedures with regard to Boeing 737-800 aircraft, including major modifications to implement 
changes to the take-off configuration warning lights, cabin pressurization system, pitot system heating, CFM fan blade 
nondestructive testing (NDT) on certain production CFM-56 engines, fuel tank boost pump electrical arcing protection, 
and  the  European  Commission’s  Datalink  mandate.  Ryanair’s  policy  is  to  implement  any  such  required  procedures  in 
accordance with FAA and EASA 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 program 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  and  EASA  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.  

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.” 

71 

 
 
 
 
 
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. Since April 2012, 
the Company has had the necessary authorities in place to repurchase ADRs as part of its general authority to repurchase 
up  to  10%  of  the  issued  share  capital  in  the  Company.  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.  

While there is a general belief that a 21 month transition agreement from March 2019 to December 2020 will be 
implemented and further extended, the likelihood of a hard Brexit may have an adverse impact on the business operations 
of Ryanair. In these circumstances, it is likely that the Company’s UK shareholders will be treated as non-EU and this 
could  potentially  affect  Ryanair’s  licencing  and  flight  rights.  Accordingly,  in  line  with  the  Company’s  Articles  of 
Association, Ryanair may restrict the voting rights of all non-EU shareholders in the event of a hard Brexit, to ensure that 
the Company is majority owned and controlled by EU shareholders at all times to comply with licence requirement. This 
would result in non-EU shareholders not being able to vote on shareholder resolutions. In the meantime, the Company has 
applied for a UK Air Operator Certificate (“UK AOC”) which it intends to receive before the end of 2018. 

As of June 30, 2018, ADRs  accounted for approximately  43.7% of Ryanair  Holdings’ issued 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. 

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. 
Ryanair Holdings’ ability to pay dividends in the future will be dependent on the financial performance of the Company 
and there is no guarantee that any further dividends will be paid. 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 or other entities within the Ryanair Holdings group structure. 

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increased Costs for Possible Future ADR and Share Repurchases. Up until April 2012, shareholders had only 
authorized the Directors to repurchase Ordinary Shares.  As the  ADRs have historically traded on the NASDAQ Stock 
Market (“NASDAQ”) at a premium compared to Ordinary Shares, the inclusion of ADRs in buyback programs may result 
in increased costs in performing share buy-backs. Over the past five years the Company has repurchased shares as follows: 

Fiscal Year 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 

  Ordinary   Ordinary Shares    Total 
  Total 
  Shares   Underlying ADRs    Shares    Spent 
      €’M 
      M’ 

M’ 

  Average Price per 
Share 
€ 

 63.5   
 10.9   
 33.8   
 50.7   
 44.7   

      M’ 
 482   
 6.0     69.5   
 112   
 —     10.9   
 706   
 19.9     53.7   
 21.6     72.3     1,018   
 829   

 2.0     46.7   

 6.93 
 10.28 
 13.15 
 14.08 
 17.75 

Item 4. Information on the Company 

INTRODUCTION 

Ryanair Holdings was incorporated in 1996 as a holding company for Ryanair Limited, now known as Ryanair 
Designated  Activity  Company  (“DAC”).  The  latter  operates  an  ultra-low  fare,  scheduled-passenger  airline  serving 
short- haul,  point-to-point  routes  mainly  within  Europe.  See  “Item  5.  Operating  and  Financial  Review  and 
ProspectsHistory” for detail on the history of the company.  As of June 30, 2018, Ryanair had a principal fleet of over 
440 Boeing 737 aircraft and offered over 2,000 scheduled short-haul flights per day serving over 200 airports (including 
86 bases) largely throughout Europe. See “Item 4. 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 €1,450.2 million in fiscal year 2018, as compared 
with a profit of €1,315.9 million in fiscal year 2017. This 10% increase was primarily attributable to an 8% increase in 
revenues (due to a 9% increase in traffic) and an 8% fuel saving per passenger. Ryanair generated an average booked 
passenger load factor of approximately 95% in fiscal year 2018, compared to 94% in fiscal year 2017, and average booked 
passenger fare of €39.40 per passenger in fiscal year 2018, down from €40.58 in the prior fiscal year. The Company has 
focused on maintaining low operating costs (€42.08 per passenger in  fiscal year 2018, a decrease from €42.62 in fiscal 
year 2017). 

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 routes where it commences service. For example, the 
number of scheduled airline passengers traveling on Ryanair routes increased from 0.7 million passengers in 1991 to 130.3 
million  passengers  in  fiscal  year  2018.  Most  international  routes  Ryanair  has  begun  serving  have  recorded  significant 
traffic growth in the period following Ryanair’s commencement of service, with Ryanair typically capturing the largest 
portion of such growth on each route. A variety of factors contributed to this increase in air passenger traffic, including 
the development 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 DAC, Dublin Office, Airside Business Park, 
Swords, County Dublin, K67 NY94, Ireland. The Company’s contact person regarding this Annual Report on Form 20-F 
is:  Neil  Sorahan,  Chief  Financial  Officer  (same  address  as  above).  The  telephone  number  is  +353-1-945-1212  and 
facsimile number is +353-1-945-1213. Under its current Articles, Ryanair Holdings has an unlimited corporate duration. 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STRATEGY 

Ryanair’s  objective  is  to  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 “Item 4. Route 
System, Scheduling and Fares—Widely Available Low Fares” below.  

Customer  Service.  Ryanair’s  strategy  is  to  deliver  the  best  customer  service  performance  in  its  peer  group. 
According to airlines’ own published statistics, Ryanair has achieved better punctuality and fewer lost bags 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 continuously implementing new strategic initiatives that are expected to improve its customer service 
offering.  In  recent  years,  Ryanair  introduced  a  series  of  customer-service  related  initiatives  under  the  AGB  customer 
experience program, including an easy-to-navigate website, a mobile app, reduced penalty fees, allocated seating, security 
fast track at selected airports and more customer-friendly baggage allowances and change flight policies. Ryanair has also 
introduced several important products that improve its offering to customers. Family PLUS offers families travelling with 
Ryanair a set of bundled ancillary discounts. PLUS gives customers a discounted bundle of ancillaries including a 20kg 
bag, priority boarding and a reserved seat. Flexi PLUS offers business travelers a flexible ticket, airport fast track and 
optional  airport  check-in.    Ryanair  Groups  is  a  dedicated  booking  service  designed  for  groups  travelling  together. 
Furthermore, these customer-service related initiatives include scheduling more flights to primary airports, selling flights 
via travel agents on GDS, marketing spending 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. In fiscal year 2018, Ryanair flew an average route length of 775 miles and an average flight duration of 
approximately 1.9 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. 

74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 and finance costs; (ii) personnel costs; (iii) customer service costs; and (iv) airport 
access and handling costs:  

(i)  Aircraft Equipment and Finance Costs. Ryanair’s strategy for controlling aircraft costs is focused on operating a 
single aircraft type. Ryanair currently operates “next generation” Boeing 737-800s and will commence operating 
the updated Boeing MAX-200 aircraft in Spring 2019. 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  “Item  4.  
Aircraft” below for additional information on Ryanair’s fleet. The Company has a BBB+ rating from both S&P 
and Fitch Ratings (see Item 3. “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” above) and can raise inexpensive unsecured debt in the Capital Markets. The Company also 
finances aircraft from its strong cashflows.  

(ii)  Personnel  Costs.  Ryanair  endeavors  to  control  its  labor  costs  through  high  productivity.  Compensation  for 
personnel  emphasizes  productivity-based  pay  incentives.  These  incentives  include  sales  bonus  payments  for 
onboard sales of products for cabin crew and payments based on the number of hours or sectors flown by pilots 
and cabin crew within strict limits set by industry standards or regulations fixing maximum working hours.  

(iii)  Customer  Service  Costs.  Ryanair  has  entered  into  agreements  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. Ryanair negotiates 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, and the AGB customer experience program, 
the Company has broadened its distribution base by making Ryanair’s fares available to Travelport (trading as 
Galileo and Worldspan)  and Sabre at nominal cost to the  Company. Direct sales via the Ryanair  website and 
mobile app continues to be the prime generator of scheduled passenger revenues. 

(iv)  Airport Access and Handling Costs. Ryanair prioritizes airports that offer competitive prices. Ryanair’s record of 
delivering a consistently high volume of passenger traffic growth at many airports has allowed it to negotiate 
favorable growth contracts with such airports, although the recent change in strategy by the Company has seen it 
access 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 
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. 
Ryanair requires all passengers to check-in on the Internet, which reduces waiting times at airports and speeds 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 or post 
booking and is aimed at reducing the number of bags carried by passengers in order to further reduce handling 
costs.  See  “Item  3.  Risk  Factors—Risks  Related  to  the  Company—The  Company  Faces  Risks  Related  to  its 
Internet Reservations Operations and its Elimination of Airport Check-in Facilities.” 

75 

 
 
 
 
 
Taking  Advantage  of  the  Internet.    Ryanair’s  reservation  system  operates  under  a  hosting  agreement  with 
Navitaire which currently extends to November 2025. 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. The Company also has a mobile 
app which makes it simpler and easier for customers to book Ryanair flights. The website and app also offer customers 
the ability to add additional ancillary products on day of travel (e.g. bags, priority boarding and fast track). Ryanair has 
continued to invest in its website with the key features being personalization, a new “My Ryanair” account, easier booking 
flow, more content, faster, intuitive and fully responsive for mobile devices. The new “My Ryanair” registration service, 
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. Membership of “My Ryanair” is automatic for all bookings. 
Ryanair, as part of the AGB customer experience program, will endeavor to continue to improve its website and mobile 
app through a series of ongoing upgrades. 

Commitment  to  Safety and  Quality  Maintenance.  Safety  is  the  primary  priority  of  Ryanair. 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  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 33-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 the  majority of heavy airframe  maintenance in-house, but contracts  with other parties  who 
perform engine overhaul services and rotable repairs. Ryanair also outsources some heavy maintenance activity. These 
contractors also provide similar services to a number of other airlines, including Southwest Airlines, British Airways, Air 
France, Alitalia, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian Airlines, Aer Lingus and SAS.  

Enhancement of Operating Results through Ancillary Services. Ryanair distributes accommodation services and 
travel  insurance  primarily  through  its  website.  For  accommodation  services  (hotels,  B&Bs,  apartments,  hostels  etc.), 
Ryanair currently has a contract with five providers (Hotels.com, Hotelopia.com, HRS.com, Evivo and Hostelsclub) to 
market hotels and other accommodation offerings during and after the booking process. Ryanair also offers airport transfers 
and car park services through its  website and on board its aircraft. Ryanair offers car hire services via a contract with 
CarTrawler. Ancillary revenues accounted for approximately 28% of Ryanair’s total operating revenues in fiscal year 2018 
and approximately 27% of Ryanair’s total operating revenues in fiscal year 2017. See “—Ancillary Services” below and 
“Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year 2018 Compared with Fiscal 
Year 2017—Ancillary Revenues” for additional information.  

Focused  Criteria  for  Growth.  Ryanair  believes  it  will  have  opportunities  for  continued  growth  by:  (i)  using 
aggressive fare promotions to stimulate demand; (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;  (viii)  establishing  new  bases;  and  (ix)  initiating  new  routes  not 
currently served by any carrier. 

Responding  to  Market  Challenges.  In  recent  periods,  Ryanair’s  low-fares  business  model  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 60 
aircraft in fiscal year 2018 during the Winter season; (ii) disposing of aircraft (lease hand backs totaled 2 in fiscal year 
2018); (iii) controlling costs; 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 Availability Affect the  Company’s Results” and 
“— The Company May Not Be Successful in Increasing Fares and Revenues to Cover Rising Business Costs.” 

76 

 
 
 
 
 
In prior years, in response to an operating environment characterized by high fuel prices, typically lower seasonal 
yields and higher airport charges and/or taxes, Ryanair adopted a policy of grounding a certain portion of its fleet during 
the Winter months (from November to March inclusive). Ryanair also carries out its scheduled aircraft maintenance at this 
quieter time of the year. While seasonal grounding does reduce the Company’s operating costs, it also decreases Ryanair’s 
Winter season 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 Seasonally Grounded Aircraft.” 

ROUTE SYSTEM, SCHEDULING AND FARES 

Route System and Scheduling 

As of July 19 2018, the Company offered over 2,000 scheduled short-haul flights per day serving over 200 airports 

largely throughout Europe. The following table lists Ryanair’s operating bases: 

Alghero 
Alicante 
Athens 
Baden-Baden 
Barcelona (Girona) 
Barcelona (El Prat) 
Bari 
Belfast 
Berlin 
Birmingham 
Bologna 
Bournemouth 
Bratislava 
Bremen 
Brindisi 
Bristol 
Brussels (Charleroi) 
Brussels (Zaventem) 
Bucharest 
Budapest 
Cagliari 
Catania 
Cologne 
Corfu 
Cork 
Dublin 
Dusseldorf 
Dusseldorf (Weeze) 
East Midlands 

Operating Bases 

Edinburgh 
Eindhoven 
Faro 
Fez 
Frankfurt (Hahn) 
Frankfurt Main 
Gdansk 
Glasgow (Prestwick)  
Gothenburg  
Gran Canaria 
Hamburg 
Ibiza 
Kaunas 
Krakow 
Lamezia 
Lanzarote 
Leeds Bradford 
Lisbon 
Liverpool 
London (Luton) 
London (Southend) (a) 
London (Stansted) 
Madrid 
Malaga 
Malta 
Manchester 
Marrakech 
Memmingen 
Milan (Bergamo) 

Milan (Malpensa) 
Naples 
Nuremburg 
Palermo 
Palma Mallorca 
Paphos 
Pescara 
Pisa 
Ponta Delgada 
Porto 
Poznan 
Prague 
Rome (Ciampino) 
Rome (Fiumicino) 
Santiago 
Seville 
Shannon 
Sofia 
Stockholm (Skavsta) 
Tenerife South 
Thessaloniki 
Timisoara 
Trapani 
Valencia 
Vilnius 
Warsaw (Modlin) 
Wroclaw 
Zadar 

(a) 

In June 2018, Ryanair announced that it would open a base in London Southend airport from April 2019. 

See Note 16, “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. 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ryanair’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 11:30 p.m. Management regularly reviews the need for adjustments in the 
number of flights on all of its routes. 

As part of Ryanair’s AGB customer experience program Ryanair has focused on high frequency and business 

friendly timings between Europe’s main business centers. 

During fiscal year 2018, Ryanair launched 260 new routes across its network. See “Item 3. Risk Factors— Risks 
Related to the Company—Ryanair’s New Routes and Expanded Operations May Have an Adverse Financial Impact on 
Its Results.” 

Widely Available Low 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 driven by Ryanair’s “load factor active – yield passive” policy whereby seats are 

priced to ensure that high load factor targets are achieved.  

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 
which has been enhanced by Ryanair’s AGB customer experience program which is now in its fifth year. In doing so, 
Ryanair primarily advertises its services in national and regional media across Europe. In addition, Ryanair uses 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. 

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. The vast majority 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. 

Ryanair’s  reservations  system  is  hosted  under  an  agreement  with  the  system  provider,  Navitaire.  Under  the 
agreement, 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,  security  fast-track,  priority  boarding  service  and  fully  allocated  seating  as  part  of  the  AGB 
customer experience program. Ryanair also requires 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. 
The Company has also entered into an agreement with Travelport (which operates the Galileo and Worldspan GDS) and 
Sabre (collectively “GDSs”). The Company’s fares (except for the three lowest fare categories) are currently distributed 
on the GDSs’ systems. Ryanair has negotiated an attractive per segment price which enables it 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.”  

Aircraft 

AIRCRAFT 

As of June 30, 2018, Ryanair had a fleet of over 440 Boeing 737 aircraft. The fleet was composed of Boeing 737-
800 “next generation” aircraft, each having 189 seats. Ryanair’s fleet totaled 431 Boeing 737-800s at March 31, 2018. The 
Company expects to have an operating fleet comprising approximately 585 Boeing 737s at March 31, 2024 depending on 
the level of lease returns and aircraft disposals. This operating fleet will comprise a mix of Boeing 737-800s and Boeing 
737-MAX-200 aircraft. The Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft, which will start being delivered during fiscal year 2020, will 
have 197 seats.   

Between March 1999 and June 2018, Ryanair took delivery of 516 new Boeing 737-800 “next generation” aircraft 

under its contracts with Boeing and disposed of 71 such aircraft, including 46 lease handbacks. 

Under the terms of the 2013 Boeing Contract, Ryanair agreed to purchase 183 Boeing 737-800 aircraft over a 
five year period from fiscal years 2015 to 2019, with delivery beginning in September 2014. These aircraft benefit from a 
net effective price not dissimilar to that under the 2005 Boeing Contract. Under the terms of the 2014 Boeing contract, 
Ryanair has agreed to purchase up to 210 new Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft (135 firm orders and 75 aircraft subject to 
option) over a five year period from fiscal year 2020 to 2024, with delivery beginning in Spring 2019. The new aircraft 
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$78.5 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.  

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Boeing granted Ryanair certain price concessions as part of the 2013 Boeing Contract. These take the form of 
credit memoranda to Ryanair for the amount of such concessions, which Ryanair applies 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 Boeing 737-800 aircraft due for delivery from September 2014. 

The  Boeing  737-MAX-200  represents the newest  generation of Boeing's 737 aircraft.  It is a short-to-medium 
range aircraft and seats 197 passengers (eight more than Ryanair’s existing 189 seat fleet). The basic price (equivalent to 
a  standard list price  for an aircraft of this type) for each  of the Boeing  737-MAX-200 series aircraft is approximately 
US$102 million and the basic price will be increased for certain "buyer-furnished" equipment, amounting to approximately 
US$1.6 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 2014 Boeing Contract  and the planned month of 
delivery of any such new aircraft.  

In a similar manner to the 2013 contract, Boeing has granted Ryanair certain price concessions as part of the 2014 
Boeing Contract.  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 Spring 2019. 

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 31 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 in current production, with the Boeing 737-MAX-200 not expected to enter the 
market until 2019.  

Management believes that its strategy, to date, of having reduced its fleet to two generations of an 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. The Boeing 737-MAX-
200  CFM  LEAP-1B  engines  which,  combined  with  the  Advanced  Technology  winglet  and  other  aerodynamic 
improvements, will reduce fuel consumption by up to approximately 16% on a per seat basis compared to the Boeing 737-
800s in Ryanair’s configuration and reduce operational noise emissions by approximately 40%.  

The Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft could impact the Company insofar as the residual value of its Boeing 737- 800 

aircraft could be reduced when it enters production, currently expected to be in Spring 2019. 

At March 31, 2018, the average aircraft age of the Company’s Boeing 737-800 fleet was approximately 6.7 years. 

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Training and Regulatory Compliance 

Ryanair currently owns and operates 9 Boeing 737-800 full flight simulators for pilot training. The simulators 
were purchased from CAE Electronics Ltd. of Quebec, Canada (“CAE”). Ryanair has also purchased  7 new state of the 
art fixed base simulators from Multi Pilot Simulations (“MPS”) which are used for pilot assessments and pilot training. In 
addition, Ryanair has ordered 7 new full flight simulators from CAE which will deliver over the next 3 years.   

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—Risks  Related  to  the  Airline  Industry—  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  2018 
Compared with Fiscal Year 2017—Ancillary Revenues” for additional information. 

Ryanair primarily markets accommodation services, holidays, car hire and travel insurance through its website. 
For hotel and accommodation services, Ryanair launched Ryanair Rooms in October 2016 to market hotels, hostels, B&Bs, 
homestays and villas during and after the booking process. Ryanair receives a commission on these sales and is currently 
re-investing the commission into the development of this business by providing travel credits (redeemable against future 
flights) to the “My Ryanair” account of customers who book a room via Ryanair Rooms. Ryanair offers car hire services 
via  a  contract  with  CarTrawler.  Ryanair  also  has  a  package  holiday  service,  “Ryanair  Holidays”  offering  flights, 
accommodation and transfers as a package. 

Ryanair also sells bus and rail tickets onboard its aircraft and through its website. In addition, Ryanair markets 
car parking, attractions and activities on its website. Ryanair also sells gift vouchers on its website, which are redeemable 
online. 

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  Aviation  Safety  Agency  (“EASA”) 
Regulations  and  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 
EASA Part 145. 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” below. Ryanair is licenced to 
operate approved maintenance training courses under a Part 147 approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority in its 
training school at London Stansted Airport and Glasgow Prestwick. It is also licenced to operate approved maintenance 
training courses under a Part 147 approval by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) in Dublin and by the Italian Civil Aviation 
Authority (ENAC) in Bergamo.  

Ryanair  is  itself  an  EASA  Part  145-approved  maintenance  organization  and  provides  its  own  routine  aircraft 
maintenance and repair services. Ryanair also performs certain checks on its aircraft, including pre-flight and daily checks 
at  some  of  its  bases,  as  well  as  A-checks  at  its  Dublin,  London  (Stansted),  Glasgow  (Prestwick),  Bremen,  Kaunas, 
Frankfurt  (Hahn),  Madrid,  Wroclaw  and  Bergamo  facilities.  Ryanair  performs  the  majority  of  Boeing  737-800  heavy 
airframe maintenance inhouse with a seasonal use of third party maintenance repair and overhaul (the “MRO”) facilities. 
Ryanair operates a three-bay hangar facility at its base at Glasgow (Prestwick) in Scotland. In addition Ryanair has hangar 
facilities  in  Kaunas,  Lithuania  and  Wroclaw,  Poland  which  are  used  for  C-check  maintenance  activities.  Ryanair  has 
recently opened a single bay hangar in Madrid and a double bay hangar is under construction in Seville.  

Ryanair has a five-bay hangar and stores facility at its London (Stansted) airport base to allow Ryanair to carry 
out additional line maintenance on its expanding fleet. This facility also incorporates four flight simulator devices, together 
with a cabin crew  trainer and associated training rooms. The  Stansted  facility is being redesigned to accommodate  an 
additional four full flight simulators with the first delivered in July 2018. Ryanair will install its first Boeing 737-MAX-
200  full  flight  simulator  in  Stansted  in  early  2019.    Ryanair  has  completed  the  building  of  a  separate  training  facility 
adjacent to the hangar to accommodate a full size Boeing 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 a 30-year sole-tenancy agreement with Frankfurt (Hahn) airport and has taken acceptance of a two-bay hangar and 
stores facility. This facility allows Ryanair to carry out additional line maintenance including A-checks. Ryanair has a 
single bay hangar and has leased a second hangar in Bergamo, Italy which are used for line maintenance activities and A-
checks. The second Bergamo hangar is being refurbished and will be operational in September 2018. Ryanair is planning 
a third hangar in Bergamo for operation from late 2019.  Ryanair has also built a technological centre of excellence in 
Bergamo to accommodate two full motion simulators, two fixed base simulators and a full size Boeing 737NG training 
aircraft to allow for pilot, engineering and cabin crew training.   

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 EASA Part 145-approved contract maintenance providers. Aircraft return 
each evening to Ryanair’s bases, where they are examined by either Ryanair’s approved personnel or by local EASA Part 
145-approved companies. 

82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 contracts out engine overhaul service for its Boeing 737-800 aircraft to CFM under a ten year agreement 
from December 2017, with an option for extension, which is pursuant to the previous General Electric Engine Services 
agreement. This comprehensive maintenance contract provides for the repair and overhaul of the CFM56-7B series engines 
fitted to Ryanair’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft, the repair of parts and general technical support for the fleet of engines. CFM 
mainly uses its EASA Part 145-approved repair facility in Cardiff, Wales for this work, but also uses its EASA Part 145-
approved facility in Celma, Brazil. By contracting  with experienced EASA Part 145-approved maintenance providers, 
management believes it is better able to ensure the quality of its aircraft and engine maintenance. Ryanair assigns a EASA 
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 recently commenced training engineering staff with Boeing and CFM for the introduction of the Boeing 737-
MAX-200 aircraft in Spring 2019.   

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), Kaunas, Wroclaw, Madrid, Bremen, Seville and 
Bergamo. 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  33-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  a  Safety  Committee  to  review  and  discuss  air  safety  and  related  issues.  Mike  O’Brien,  a  Non-
Executive Director, is the joint chairman of this committee, (along with the Airline’s Accountable Manager for Safety, 
Neil Sorahan), and reports to the Board of Directors.  

Ryanair’s flight crew training is oriented towards accident prevention and integrates with the Safety Management 
System to cover 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 flight crew training, including initial, 
recurrent, and upgrade phases. All training  programs are approved by the Irish Aviation Authority (the  “IAA”), which 
regularly audits operations control standards and flight crew training standards for compliance with EU legislation.  

All  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).  The  Boeing 
737- MAX-200, scheduled for delivery in 2019, will include flight deck enhancements derived from Ryanair's experience 
with the Boeing 737-200 and Boeing 737-800 fleets. 

Ryanair has a comprehensive and documented Safety Management System. Management encourages flight crews 
to report any safety-related issues through the Air Safety Report (“ASR”) reporting program, which is available online 
through Ryanair’s Crewdock system. Also available to crew is Ryanair’s Confidential Reporting System (“RCRS”) which 
affords  personnel  the  opportunity  to  report  directly  to  the  Flight  Safety  Officer  any  event,  error,  or  discrepancy  in 
operations that they do not wish to report through standard reporting channels. RCRS is designed to increase management’s 
awareness of problems that may be encountered by personnel in their day-to-day operations. Management uses the de-
identified 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 U.K. 
CAA as an alternative confidential reporting channel. 

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ryanair has installed an automatic data capturing system on each of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This system 
captures and downloads aircraft performance information for use as part of Operational Flight Data Monitoring (OFDM) 
which automatically provides a confidential report on exceedances 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  can  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.  

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. Swissport Limited provides Ryanair’s ticketing, passenger 
and aircraft handling, and ground handling services at many of these airports in Ireland and the U.K., while similar services 
in continental Europe are generally provided by the local airport authorities, either directly through sub-contractors, or 
partners in self-handling at airports in Spain (including the Canary Islands) and Portugal. 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.” 

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/or access to new destinations, 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. 

Over time, various governments have introduced or planned to introduce additional taxes or levies on departing 
passengers that would have made air travel more expensive and likely reduced demand. While a number of these taxes 
have been reduced or cancelled since introduction, or not introduced at all, no assurance can be given that these or similar 
taxes or levies will not be reintroduced in the future at similar levels or higher levels, which could have a negative impact 
on demand for air travel.  

In addition, Ryanair has 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 (2023), 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. 

84 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FUEL 

The cost of jet fuel accounted for approximately 35% and 37% of Ryanair’s total operating expenses in the fiscal 
years  ended  March  31,  2018  and  2017,  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 1.0% and 0.8% of total 
fuel costs in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 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. See 
“Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company—Changes in Fuel Costs and Availability Affect 
the Company’s Results” 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  2018 
Compared with Fiscal Year 2017—Fuel and Oil.” 

85 

 
 
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 “Item 3. Risk Factors – Risks Related to the Airline Industry – Extreme Weather Events Could Affect the 
Company and Have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company’s Results of Operations. 

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. 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  has  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 $15.0 million. In addition to aviation insurance, AIL 
underwrites most of the single and multi-trip travel insurance policies sold on Ryanair.com. 

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. 

86 

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

FACILITIES 

Location 
Dublin Airport 
Airside Business Park, Swords, 
Dublin  
Dublin Airport (Hangar No. 1) 
Dublin Airport (Hangar No. 2) 
Enterprise House, Stansted 
Satellite 3, Stansted Airport 
Stansted Airport (Hangar) 

Stansted Airport 
Stansted Storage Facilities 
East Midlands Airport 

  Site Area 
     (Sq. Meters)      (Sq. Meters)       Tenure 

  Floor Space   

 1,370   
 12,286   

 1,649    Leasehold   
 9,443    Freehold 

 1,620   
 5,200   
 516   
 605   
 12,161   

 1,620    Leasehold   
 5,000    Leasehold   
 516    Leasehold   
 605    Leasehold   
 10,301    Leasehold 

 375   
 378   
 3,890   

 375    Leasehold   
 531    Leasehold   

 2,801    Freehold 

Activity 
Administrative Offices 
Dublin Office and Simulator Training 
Center 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Administrative Offices 
Operations Center 
Aircraft Maintenance Hangar and 
Simulator Training Center 
Training Center 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Simulator Training Center and Training 
Center 
Training Center 
Aircraft Maintenance 

Aircraft Maintenance Hangar and 
Simulator Training Center 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Cabin Crew and Engineering Training and 
Simulator Training Center 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Travel Labs Poland 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Travel Labs Madrid 

East Midlands Airport 
Prestwick Airport (Hangar) 
Bremen Airport 
Frankfurt (Hahn) Airport (Hangar) 

 2,045   
 10,052   
 5,952   
 5,064   

 634    Leasehold   
 10,052    Leasehold   

 5,874    Leasehold    Terminal and Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 
 5,064    Leasehold 

Bergamo Airport (Hangar)  
Bergamo Airport Technological 
Centre of Excellence 
Wroclaw Airport, Poland 
Wroclaw, Poland 
Skavsta Airport (Hangar) 
Kaunas Airport (Hangar) 
Madrid Airport (Hangar) 
Madrid, Spain 

 4,125   
 5,000   

 2,200    Leasehold   
 2,500    Freehold 

 8,701   
 1,935   
 1,936  
 4,500  
 1,850   
 1,914  

 7,484    Leasehold   
 1,935    Leasehold   
 1,936   Leasehold  
 4,500   Leasehold  
 1,850    Leasehold   
 1,914   Leasehold  

Ryanair has agreements with the DAA, the Irish government authority charged with operating Dublin Airport, to 
lease check-in 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 Swissport Limited or other service providers. 

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TRADEMARKS 

Ryanair’s logo and the slogan “Ryanair.com The Low Fares Website” are registered as European Union Trade 
Marks (“EUTMs”). Ryanair has also registered the EUTM for the word “Ryanairhotels.com.” Ryanair filed an application 
for registration of the slogan “Low Fares. Made Simple” in late 2014. The trademark was partially registered. An EUTM 
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 EUTM-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. As a result of Brexit, Ryanair will be required to apply to the U.K. Intellectual Property Office 
to register its trademarks in the U.K. 

Ryanair’s trademarks include: 

•  European Union (Word) Trade Mark registration number 004168721 comprised of the word “Ryanair” in classes 

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

•  European  Union  (Figurative)  Trade  Mark  registration  number  00338301  comprising  the  following  graphic 

representation: 

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

•  European Union (Word) Trade Mark registration number 004187721 comprised of the word 

“Ryanairhotels.com” in classes 16, 39 and 43 (Nice Classification) (registered);   

•  European Union (Word) Trade Mark registration number 013185988 comprised of the word “LOW FARES. 

MADE SIMPLE” in classes 16, 28, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 42 (Nice Classification) (registered);   

THE ENVIRONMENT 

In March 2018, Ryanair launched a new Environmental Policy, which commits to ambitious future environmental 
targets building on impressive achievements to date, including commitments to address climate change, and the priorities 
and policies which will allow Ryanair to continue to lower CO2 emissions and noise pollution. 

Ryanair’s Environmental Policy illustrates Ryanair’s commitment to managing its impact on the environment by: 

•  Leading the way as Europe’s greenest, cleanest airline 
•  Committing to ambitious environmental targets 
• 
•  Committing to eliminate non-recyclable plastics within 5 years 
•  Allowing customers to offset the carbon cost of their flights 

Investing billions of euro in new, fuel efficient aircraft 

Ryanair has managed its impact on the environment and continuously lowered CO2 emissions by operating the youngest 
fleet in Europe, achieving high load factors and efficient fuel burn. These enable Ryanair to minimise fuel and energy 
consumption and reduce noise pollution.  

88 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Commission for Aviation 
Regulation (“CAR”), the Irish Aviation Authority (“IAA”), the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (“DTTAS”), 
the European Commission, and 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.  

Ryanair also obtained an AOC and operating license for its subsidiary, Ryanair Sun. This AOC (No PL-066) was 
issued  by  the  Polish  Civil  Aviation  Authority  on  April  3,  2018,  and  the  operating  licence  (no  ULC-LER-1/4000-
0156/06/17) was issued by the Polish Civil Aviation Authority on April 18, 2018. 

Commission for Aviation Regulation “CAR”. The CAR has responsibility for licensing Irish airlines, subject to 
the requirements of EU law. It issues operating licences under the provisions of EU Regulation 1008/2008. An operating 
licence is an authorization permitting the holder to transport passengers, mail and/or cargo by air. The criteria for granting 
an operating licence 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 licence, Irish and EU 
regulations require that (i) the air carrier must be owned, for the purposes of EU Regulation 1008/2008, 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 licence. 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 licence (No 02/14) has been issued by the CAR on March 4, 2014, and is subject to periodic review.  

The  CAR  is  also  responsible  for  deciding  maximum  airport  charges  at  Dublin  Airport  (see  “Airport 
OperationsAirport  Charges”  above),  and  for  the  enforcement  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) 
(see “Item 3. Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Airline Industry—EU Regulation on Passenger Compensation Could 
Significantly Increase Related Costs.”). 

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 the EU, an Irish air carrier is 
required to hold an AOC granted by the IAA attesting to the air carrier’s operational and technical competence to conduct 
airline services with specified types of aircraft. Ryanair’s current AOC (No IE 7/94) was issued on March 4, 2014. There 
is no expiry date on the AOC. However, the IAA has broad authority to amend or revoke the AOC, with Ryanair’s ability 
to continue to hold its AOC 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.  Ryanair’s  Flight 
Operations Department is also subject to ongoing review by the IAA, which reviews the department’s audits, including 
flight audits, training audits, returned flight document (RFD) audits, and quality audits.  

89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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 review by the IAA. 
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 the AOC.  

In July 1999, the IAA awarded Ryanair a JAR Ops 1 AOC. In 2008, the IAA awarded Ryanair an EU Ops AOC. 
In  2014,  the  IAA  awarded  Ryanair  an  Air  Ops  AOC.  This  AOC  remains  in  force  subject  to  Ryanair  demonstrating 
continuing  compliance  with  applicable  EASA  regulations.  The  requirements  of  Air  Ops  have  been  incorporated  into 
European law as prescribed in Regulation EC 965/2012 and were applied in full on October 28, 2014. All current regulatory 
requirements are addressed in the Ryanair Operations Manual Part A (as amended). The current Manual, Issue 1 Revision 
2, was accepted by the IAA on March 1, 2017. 

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. 

The  European  Aviation  Safety  Agency  (EASA).  EASA  is  an  agency  of  the  EU  that  has  been  given  specific 
regulatory and executive tasks in the field of aviation safety. 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 
international 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. 

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  were 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. 

The European Commission has published guidelines on the financing of airports and start-up aid to airlines by 
regional  airports  that  place  restrictions  on  the  incentives  public  airports  can  offer  to  airlines  delivering  traffic,  when 
compared with the commercial freedom available to private airports.  

90 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  8.  Financial  Information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 includes this information in its advertised 
fares in all markets where it operates. 

Registration of Aircraft 

Pursuant to the Irish Aviation Authority (Nationality and Registration of Aircraft) Order 2015 (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, thirteen of 
the fourteen 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. 

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  Acts  2002  to  2017.  This  legislation  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 and Consumer Protection Commission) 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 Competition and Consumer 
Protection  Commission  in  relation  to  service  between  Dublin  and  Cork.  The  Competition  and  Consumer  Protection 
Commission (then known as the Competition Authority) closed its investigation in July 2009 with a finding in favor of 
Ryanair. 

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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.” 

Data Protection 

Ryanair’s  processing  of  personal  data  is  subject  to  increasingly  complex  data  protection  laws  including  the 
European Union’s General Data Protection regulation 2016/679 (the “GDPR”) as well as relevant national implementing 
legislation (Irish Data Protection Act 2018). The GDPR became directly applicable across the member states of the EEA 
on  May  25,  2018  replacing  the  former  data  protection  regime  under  Directive  95/46/EC.  The  GDPR  imposes  strict 
obligations on persons who process personal data, including requirements to implement appropriate security measures to 
ensure transfers of personal data are made securely and only where the transferor can guarantee that such personal data 
will be treated in accordance with the GDPR. There is an obligation to report data breaches which are likely to result in a 
risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons (and in some instances an obligation to inform the data subjects) within 
stipulated timeframes. The GDPR also provides data subjects with enhanced rights in respect of their personal data. It 
introduces new data subject rights, such as the “right to be forgotten” (to be erased from the databases of organisations 
holding their personal data, including erased from third party providers databases, provided there are no legitimate grounds 
for retaining the personal data) and the right to “data portability” (the right to receive the personal data concerning the data 
subject in a structured and commonly used and machine-readable format and to transmit that data to a nominated third 
party). 

A breach of the GDPR may result in the imposition of fines by supervisory authorities up to €20 million or 4% 
of annual group-wide turnover (whichever is higher). Supervisory authorities also have the power to audit businesses and 
require  measures  be  taken  by  businesses  to  rectify  any  non-compliance  (which  can  include  orders  to  suspend  data 
processing activities). Additionally, data subjects are entitled to seek compensation for any damage (including non material 
damage) suffered in the event that the processing of their personal data is in breach of the GDPR’s requirements. See “Risk 
factors – Ryanair is subject to increasingly complex data protection laws and regulations” 

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. 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 Acts 2000 to 2016 and regulations made thereunder. 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),  Bergamo,  Wrocław  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.  

92 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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 fleet of primarily Boeing 737-800 “next generation” aircraft with an average age of 6.7 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. In September 2014, Ryanair entered into an agreement with Boeing to purchase up to 200 
Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft (including 100 firm orders and 100 aircraft subject to option). The Boeing 737-MAX-200 
aircraft will deliver between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2024. The contract was approved by the shareholders of the 
Company  at  an  extraordinary  general  meeting  (“EGM”)  on  November  28,  2014.  In  June  2017,  the  Group  agreed  to 
purchase an additional 10 Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft. This brings the total number of 737-MAX-200 aircraft on order 
to 210, with a list value of approximately $21.5 billion (assuming all options are exercised). In April 2018, the Company 
announced that it has converted 25 Boeing 737-Max-200 options into firm orders. This brings the Company’s firm order 
to 135 Boeing 737-Max-200s with a further 75 options remaining. These aircraft have 197 seats and are fitted with CFM-
LEAP-1B engines which, combined with the Advanced Technology winglet and other aerodynamic improvements, will 
reduce fuel consumption by up to approximately 16% on a per seat basis compared to the Boeing 737-800s in Ryanair’s 
configuration  and  reduce  operational  noise  emissions  by  approximately  40%.  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 (which will increase to 197 when the Boeing 737-MAX-200 
starts being delivered in fiscal year 2020) 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 (95% in fiscal year 2018); 

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 mainly 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; and  

• 

has no scheduled late-night departures of aircraft, reducing the impact of noise emissions.  

93 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emissions Trading. On November 19, 2008, the European Union 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 U.K. Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013, Ryanair 
is obliged to state its annual quantity of emissions in tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Ryanair’s EU Emissions Trading 
Scheme monitoring, reporting and allowance surrender obligations are mandated on a calendar year basis. During calendar 
year 2017, Ryanair emitted 10,765,881 tCO2 (Calendar 2016: 9,672,283), which equates to 0.084 tCO2 (Calendar 2016: 
0.083) per passenger. 

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. Ryanair believes 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 passengers per annum, and to the airport with the highest passenger movement in each Member 
State, when setting airport charges, and provides for an appeals procedure for airlines in the event that they are not satisfied 
with the level of charges. However, Ryanair does not believe that this procedure is effective or that it constrains those 
airports that are currently abusing their dominant position, in part because the legislation was transposed improperly in 
certain countries, such as Ireland and Spain, thereby depriving 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.  

94 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Slots 

Currently,  many  of  Ryanair’s  airports  have  no  “slot”  allocation  restrictions;  however,  traffic  at  a  substantial 
number  of  the  airports  Ryanair  serves,  including  its  primary  bases  is  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. The European Commission adopted a regulation in April 2004 
(Regulation (EC) No. 793/2004) that made some minor amendments to the then existing allocation system. 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. This revision has been negotiated by the EU institutions since 
2014  and  is  currently  stalled.  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. 

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 (as amended) and other regulations under that act. Although licences 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.  

95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HISTORY 

Ryanair’s current business strategy dates to the early 1990s, when Ryanair became the first European airline to 
replicate the low-fares, 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, 2018, Ryanair launched service on more than 2,000 routes throughout Europe and 
also increased the frequency of service on a number of its principal routes. During that period, Ryanair established 86 
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 fiscal year 
1999 to approximately 130.3 million in fiscal year 2018. As of June 30, 2018, Ryanair had a principal fleet of over 440 
Boeing 737-800 aircraft and now serves over 200 airports.  

Ryanair expects to have approximately 585 aircraft in its operating fleet by March 31, 2024. This is subject to 
lease  handbacks  and  disposals  over  the  period  to  March  31,  2024  meeting  current  expectations.  See  “Liquidity  and 
Capital Resources” and “Item 4. Information on the CompanyAircraft” for additional details.  

96 

 
 
 
 
 
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 the Company has substantially increased capacity and 
demand has been sufficient to match the increased capacity. Ryanair’s annual booked passenger volume has grown from 
approximately 0.9 million passengers in the calendar year 1992 to approximately 130.3 million passengers in  fiscal year 
2018. 

Ryanair’s  revenue  passenger  miles  (“RPMs”)  increased  approximately  9%  from  92,383 million  in  fiscal  year 
2017 to 101,022 million in fiscal year 2018 due partly to an increase of approximately 8% in scheduled available seat 
miles  (“ASMs”)  from  97,909  million  in  fiscal  year  2017  to  105,735  million  in  fiscal  year  2018.  Scheduled  passenger 
revenues increased from €4,868.2 million in  fiscal  year 2017 to €5,134.0 million in  fiscal year 2018. Average booked 
passenger fare decreased from €40.58 in fiscal year 2017 to €39.40 in fiscal year 2018.  

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 73% in both  fiscal years 2017 and 2018. Cost per passenger was €42.62 in 
fiscal year 2017 and €42.08 in fiscal year 2018, with the lower fuel cost per passenger of €14.60 in  fiscal year 2018 as 
compared to €15.95 in fiscal year 2017 being the most significant factor behind this decrease. Ryanair recorded operating 
profits of €1,534.0 million in fiscal year 2017 and €1,667.3 million in fiscal year 2018. The Company recorded a profit 
after taxation of €1,315.9 million in fiscal year 2017 and €1,450.2 million in fiscal year 2018. Ryanair took delivery of 50 
Boeing 737-800 aircraft in fiscal year 2018. The Company will take delivery of a further 29 Boeing 737-800 aircraft in 
fiscal year 2019 and expects that these deliveries, net of lease handbacks, will allow for an approximately 7% increase in 
fiscal  year  2019  traffic.  See  “Item  3.  Key  Information—Risk  Factors—Risks  Related  to  the  Company—  Ryanair  Has 
Seasonally Grounded Aircraft.” 

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 Eurozone; Brexit; competition and the public’s 
perception regarding the safety of low-fares airlines; changes in aircraft acquisition, leasing, and other operating costs; 
flight  interruptions  caused  by  extreme  weather  events  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 and Boeing 737-MAX-200 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. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to the Airline Industry— The Company is 
Substantially Dependent on Discretionary Air Travel.” 

97 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RECENT OPERATING RESULTS 

The Company’s profit after tax for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 (the first quarter of the Company’s fiscal year 
2019) was €309.2 million (including a €9.3 million share of associate losses in the quarter), as compared to €397.1 million 
for the  corresponding period of the previous  year. The Company recorded a decrease in operating profit, from €460.2 
million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 to €370.5 million in the recently completed quarter. Total operating revenues 
increased from €1,910.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 to €2,078.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 
2019. Operating expenses increased from €1,450.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 to €1,708.4 million in 
the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, due primarily to increases in the cost of fuel and the increased costs associated 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 €3,635.1 million at June 30, 2018 as compared with €4,186.7 million at June 30, 2017. 

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 policy, which requires management’s most difficult, subjective 
and complex judgments, is that which is described in this section. This critical accounting policy, the judgments and other 
uncertainties  affecting  application  of  this  policy  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  this  policy,  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,  2018,  Ryanair  had  €8.1  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, the cost of major airframe and engine overhaul and the potential for impairment based on the 
fair value of the assets and the cash flows they generate. 

In estimating the lives, expected residual values of its aircraft and the cost of major airframe and engine overhaul, 
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.  

98 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

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: 

  Fiscal Year Ended March 31,     

Total revenues 

Scheduled revenues 
Ancillary revenues 

Total operating expenses 

Fuel and oil 
Airport and handling charges 
Staff costs 
Route charges 
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 

      2018       

2016 

2017       
 100 %     100 %     100 % 
 73   
 27   
 77   
 29   
 13   
 10   
 10   
 7   
 5   
 2   
 1   
 23   
 (1)   
 —   
 22   
 (2)   
 20   

 72   
 28   
 77   
 27   
 13   
 10   
 10   
 8   
 6   
 2   
 1   
 23   
 (1)   
 —   
 22   
 (2)   
 20   

 76  
 24  
 78  
 32  
 13  
 9  
 10  
 6  
 4  
 2  
 2  
 22  
 (1)  
 5  
 26  
 (3)  
 24  

FISCAL YEAR 2018 COMPARED WITH FISCAL YEAR 2017 

Profit after taxation. Ryanair recorded a profit on ordinary activities after taxation of €1,450.2 million in fiscal 
year 2018, as compared with a profit of €1,315.9 million in fiscal year 2017. This 10% increase was primarily attributable 
to an 8% increase in revenues (due to a 9% increase in traffic) and an 8% fuel saving per passenger. 

Scheduled revenues. Ryanair's scheduled passenger revenues increased by 5%, from €4,868.2 million in  fiscal 
year 2017 to €5,134.0 million in fiscal year 2018, primarily reflecting the 9% increase in the number of booked passengers 
from 120.0 million to 130.3 million, partially offset by the 3% decrease in average fare from €40.58 to €39.40. Booked 
passenger load factors increased to 95% in fiscal year 2018 compared with 94% in fiscal year 2017. 

Passenger capacity during fiscal year 2018 increased by 7% due to the increase in the average number of aircraft 
in the fleet. Scheduled passenger revenues accounted for 72% of Ryanair's total revenues in fiscal year 2018 and 73% in 
fiscal year 2017. 

Ancillary revenues. Ryanair's ancillary revenues, which comprise revenues from non-flight scheduled operations, 
in-flight sales and internet-related services, increased by 13%, from €1,779.6 million in fiscal year 2017 to €2,017.0 million 
in fiscal year 2018, while ancillary revenues per booked passenger increased by 4% to €15.48 from €14.83. The overall 
increase in ancillary revenues reflects the higher uptake of reserved seating, priority boarding and car hire offset by lower 
travel insurance and hotels. 

99 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses. As a  percentage of total revenues,  Ryanair's operating expenses remained flat at 77% in 
fiscal year 2018. Total revenues increased by 8%, faster than the 7% increase in operating expenses. In absolute terms, 
total operating expenses increased by 7%, from €5,113.8 million in fiscal year 2017 to €5,483.7 million in fiscal year 2018, 
principally as a result of increased costs associated with the airline. Airport and handling charges, staff costs, route charges, 
maintenance, materials and repairs and aircraft rentals all remained flat as a percentage of total revenues, while fuel and 
oil  expenses  decreased  and  depreciation  and  marketing,  distribution  and  other  increased.    Total  operating  cost  per 
passenger decreased by 1%, with the decrease reflecting, principally, an 8% reduction in per passenger fuel costs offset by 
an increase in non-fuel costs of 3%. 

The Company's decision to ground aircraft during the Winter months did not have a material impact on the results 
of the Company for fiscal year 2018 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,  including  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 crews 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 fiscal years 2018 and 2017 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 
Staff costs 
Route charges 
Depreciation 
Marketing, distribution and other 
Maintenance, materials and repairs 
Aircraft rentals 
Total operating expenses 

  Fiscal Year    Fiscal Year   

Ended 

Ended 

  March 31,     March 31,    

2018 
€ 

 14.60   
 7.19   
 5.67   
 5.39   
 4.31   
 3.15   
 1.14   
 0.63   
 42.08   

     % Change   

2017 
€ 

 15.95   
 7.20   
 5.27   
 5.47   
 4.15   
 2.68   
 1.18   
 0.72   
 42.62   

(8%)  
 —  
7%  
(1%)  
4%  
17%  
(3%)  
(12%)  
(1%)  

100 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Fuel and oil. Ryanair's fuel and oil costs per passenger decreased by 8%, while in absolute terms, these costs 
decreased by 1% from €1,913.4 million in fiscal year 2017 to €1,902.8 million in fiscal year 2018, in each case after giving 
effect  to  the  Company's  fuel  hedging  activities.  The  1%  decrease  reflected  lower  hedged  fuel  prices  offset  by  a  10% 
increase in block hours. 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) decreased by 10% from €1.83 per U.S. gallon in fiscal year 2017 to €1.65 
per U.S. gallon in fiscal year 2018, in each case after giving effect to the Company's fuel hedging activities. 

Airport and handling charges. Ryanair's airport and handling charges per passenger remained flat in fiscal year 
2018 compared to fiscal year 2017. In absolute terms, airport and handling charges increased by 9%, from €864.8 million 
in fiscal year 2017 to €938.6 million in fiscal year 2018, reflecting the 9% increase in passenger numbers. 

Staff costs. Ryanair's staff costs, which consist primarily of salaries, wages and benefits, increased by 7% on a 
per-passenger basis, while in absolute terms, these costs increased by 17%, from €633.0 million in  fiscal year 2017 to 
€738.5 million in fiscal year 2018. The increase in absolute terms was primarily attributable to the 10% increase in block 
hours, pilot salary increases, and the impact of a 2% pay increase in April 2017 offset by weaker sterling against the euro. 

Route charges. Ryanair's route charges per passenger decreased by 1%. In absolute terms, route charges increased 
by  7%,  from  €655.7  million  in  fiscal  year  2017  to  €701.8 million  in  fiscal  year  2018,  primarily  as  a  result  of  the  7% 
increase in sectors. 

Depreciation. Ryanair's depreciation per passenger increased by 4%, while in absolute terms these costs increased 
by  13%  from  €497.5  million  in  fiscal  year  2017  to  €561.0  million  in  fiscal  year  2018.  The  increase  was  primarily 
attributable to 50 additional owned fleet in the fleet compared to fiscal year 2017. 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 by 17% on a per-passenger basis in fiscal year 
2018, while in absolute terms, these costs increased by 27%, from €322.3 million in fiscal year 2017 to €410.4 million in 
fiscal  year  2018,  with  the  overall  increase  reflecting  €25  million  in  non-recurring  EU261  costs  arising  from 
September/October 2017 flight cancellations.  EU261 costs increased as passengers have a higher propensity to claim than 
in prior years. Marketing costs were broadly flat compared to fiscal year 2017 and distribution costs increased at a slower 
rate than onboard 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, decreased by 3% 
on a per-passenger basis, while in absolute terms these expenses increased by 5% from €141.0 million in fiscal year 2017 
to  €148.3  million  in  fiscal  year  2018.  The  increase  in  absolute  terms  during  the  fiscal  year  was  due  to  the  timing  of 
maintenance checks partially offset by fewer leased aircraft in the fleet. 

Aircraft rentals. Aircraft rental expenses amounted to €82.3 million in fiscal year 2018, a 4% decrease from the 

€86.1 million reported in fiscal year 2017, reflecting the smaller leased fleet. 

Operating profit. As a result of the factors outlined above, operating profit remained flat on a per-passenger basis 
in fiscal year 2018, while, in absolute terms, it increased by 9% from €1,534.0 million in  fiscal year 2017 to €1,667.3 
million in fiscal year 2018. 

Finance expense. Ryanair's interest and similar charges decreased by 11%, from €67.2 million in fiscal year 2017 

to €60.1 million in fiscal year 2018, primarily due to lower interest rates and repayments of debt. 

Finance income. Ryanair’s interest income decreased by €2.2 million from €4.2 million in  fiscal year 2017 to 

€2.0 million in fiscal year 2018, primarily due to significantly lower deposit interest rates. 

101 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange gains/losses. Ryanair recorded foreign exchange gains of €2.1 million in fiscal year 2018, and 
€0.7 million losses in fiscal year 2017, primarily due to the impact of change in euro exchange rates against the U.S. dollar 
and U.K. pound sterling. 

Taxation. The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2018 was 10.0%, as compared to an effective tax rate of 10.5% in 
fiscal year 2017. The effective tax rate reflects the statutory rate of Irish corporation tax of 12.5%. Ryanair recorded an 
income tax charge of €161.1 million in fiscal year 2018, compared with a tax charge of €154.4 million in fiscal year 2017.  

FISCAL YEAR 2017 COMPARED WITH FISCAL YEAR 2016 

Profit after taxation. Ryanair recorded a profit on ordinary activities after taxation of €1,315.9 million in fiscal 
year 2017, as compared with a profit of €1,559.1 million in fiscal year 2016. This 16% decrease was primarily attributable 
to the one off gain of €317.5 million on the sale of the Company's 29.8% shareholding in Aer Lingus in fiscal year 2016. 
This was offset by a 2% increase in revenues (due to a 13% increase in traffic) and an 18% fuel saving per passenger. 
Excluding the one off gain in fiscal year 2016, profit after tax increased by 6%. 

Scheduled revenues. Ryanair's scheduled passenger revenues decreased by 2%, from €4,967.2 million in  fiscal 
year 2016 to €4,868.2 million in fiscal year 2017, primarily reflecting the 13% decrease in average fare from €46.67 to 
€40.58 partially offset by the 13% increase  in the  number  of passengers  from 106.4  million to 120.0 million. Booked 
passenger load factors increased to 94% in fiscal year 2017 compared with 93% in fiscal year 2016. 

Passenger capacity during fiscal year 2017 increased by 11% due to the increase in the average number of aircraft 
in the fleet. Scheduled passenger revenues accounted for 73% of Ryanair's total revenues for fiscal year 2017, compared 
with 76% of total revenues in fiscal year 2016. 

Ancillary revenues. Ryanair's ancillary revenues, which comprise revenues from non-flight scheduled operations, 
in-flight sales and internet-related services, increased by 13%, from €1,568.6 million in fiscal year 2016 to €1,779.6 million 
in fiscal year 2017, while ancillary revenues per booked passenger increased to €14.83 from €14.74. The overall increase 
in ancillary revenues reflects solid performance in reserved seating, priority boarding, car hire and on-board sales offset 
by lower travel insurance and hotel penetration. 

Operating expenses. As a percentage of total revenues, Ryanair's operating expenses decreased from 78% in fiscal 
year 2016 to 77% in fiscal year 2017. Total revenues increased by 2%, faster than the 1% increase in operating expenses. 
In absolute terms, total operating expenses increased by 1%, from €5,075.7 million in fiscal year 2016 to €5,113.8 million 
in fiscal year 2017, principally as a result of increased costs associated with the growth of the airline. Fuel and oil expenses 
and aircraft rentals decreased as a percentage of total revenues, while, airport and handling charges, route charges, staff 
costs,  depreciation,  marketing,  distribution  and  other  costs  and  maintenance,  materials  and  repairs  increased.  Total 
operating cost per passenger decreased by 11%, with the decrease reflecting, principally, an 18% reduction in per passenger 
fuel costs and non-fuel costs decreasing by 5%. 

The Company's decision to ground aircraft during the Winter months did not have a material impact on the results 
of the Company for fiscal year 2017 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,  including  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 crews 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. 

102 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 fiscal years 2017 and 2016 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    Fiscal Year   

Ended 

Ended 

  March 31,     March 31,    

2017 
€ 

 15.95   
 7.20   
 5.47   
 5.27   
 4.15   
 2.68   
 1.18   
 0.72   
 42.62   

     % Change    

2016 
€ 

 19.47   
 7.80   
 5.85   
 5.50   
 4.02   
 2.75   
 1.22   
 1.08   
 47.69   

 (18) % 
 (8) % 
 (7) % 
 (4) % 
 3 % 
 (3) % 
 (3) % 
 (33) % 
 (11) % 

Fuel and oil. Ryanair's fuel and oil costs per passenger decreased by 18%, while in absolute terms, these costs 
decreased by 8% from €2,071.4 million in fiscal year 2016 to €1,913.4 million in fiscal year 2017, in each case after giving 
effect to the Company's fuel hedging activities. The 8% decrease reflected lower euro fuel prices offset by an 11% increase 
in block hours and higher load factors. 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) decreased by 17% from €2.21 per U.S. gallon in  fiscal 
year 2016 to €1.83 per U.S. gallon in  fiscal year 2017, in each case after giving effect to the Company's fuel hedging 
activities. 

Airport and handling charges. Ryanair's airport and handling charges per passenger decreased by 8% in  fiscal 
year 2017. In absolute terms, airport and handling charges increased by 4%, from €830.6 million in fiscal year 2016 to 
€864.8  million  in  fiscal  year  2017,  reflecting  the  13%  increase  in  traffic  offset  by  more  competitive  airport  deals  and 
weaker sterling against the euro. 

Route charges. Ryanair's route charges per passenger decreased by 7%. In absolute terms, route charges increased 
by 5%, from €622.9 million in  fiscal year 2016 to €655.7 million in  fiscal year 2017, primarily as a result of the 11% 
increase  in  sectors  flown  offset  by  Eurocontrol  price  reductions  in  France,  Germany  and  the  U.K.  (aided  by  weaker 
sterling). 

Staff costs. Ryanair's staff costs, which consist primarily of salaries, wages and benefits, decreased by 4% on a 
per-passenger basis, while in absolute terms, these costs increased by 8%, from €585.4 million in fiscal year 2016 to €633.0 
million in fiscal year 2017. The increase in absolute terms was primarily attributable to the 11% increase in sectors flown 
and the impact of the 2% pay increase in April 2016 offset by weaker sterling against the euro. 

Depreciation. Ryanair's depreciation per passenger increased by 3%, while in absolute terms these costs increased 
16% from €427.3 million in fiscal year 2016 to €497.5 million in fiscal year 2017. The increase was primarily attributable 
to 52 additional owned aircraft in the fleet compared to fiscal year 2016. See "-Critical Accounting Policies-Long-lived 
Assets" above. 

103 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marketing,  distribution  and  other  expenses.  Ryanair's  marketing,  distribution  and  other  operating  expenses, 
including those applicable to the generation of ancillary revenues, decreased by 3% on a per-passenger basis in fiscal year 
2017, while in absolute terms, these costs increased by 10%, from €292.7 million in fiscal year 2016 to €322.3 million in 
fiscal year 2017, with the overall increase primarily reflecting increased distribution costs related to higher on-board sales, 
disruption costs related to ATC strikes (primarily French) and higher passenger compensation costs  following an ECJ 
ruling in September 2015. 

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 by 3% 
on a per-passenger basis, while in absolute terms these expenses increased by 8% from €130.3 million in fiscal year 2016 
to €141.0 million in fiscal year 2017. The increase in absolute terms during the fiscal year was due to the timing of aircraft 
checks, the stronger U.S. dollar against the euro and lease handbacks. 

Aircraft rentals. Aircraft rental expenses amounted to €86.1 million in fiscal year 2017, a 25% decrease from the 
€115.1 million reported in fiscal year 2016, reflecting the absence of short-term Summer leases compared to the prior year 
comparative and the handback of 10 leased aircraft over the past year. 

Operating profit. As a result of the factors outlined above, operating profit decreased by 7% on a per-passenger 
basis in fiscal year 2017, while, in absolute terms, it increased from €1,460.1 million in fiscal year 2016 to €1,534.0 million 
in fiscal year 2017. 

Other income. Other income in fiscal year 2016 consisted primarily of the gain of €317.5 million on the sale of 

Ryanair's stake in Aer Lingus. 

Finance expense. Ryanair's interest and similar charges decreased by 5%, from €71.1 million in fiscal year 2016 

to €67.2 million in fiscal year 2017, primarily due to lower interest rates. 

Finance income. Ryanair's interest and similar income decreased by €13.7 million from €17.9 million in fiscal 
year 2016 to €4.2 million in fiscal year 2017 due to the absence of the Aer Lingus dividend (€8.0 million in  fiscal year 
2016), significantly lower deposit interest rates and lower cash balances throughout the year. 

Foreign exchange gains/losses. Ryanair recorded foreign exchange losses of €0.7 million in fiscal year 2017, and 

€2.5 million in fiscal year 2016, primarily due to the impact of changes in euro exchange rates against the U.S. dollar. 

Taxation. The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2017 was 10.5%, as compared to an effective tax rate of 11.6% in 
fiscal year 2016. The effective tax rate reflects the statutory rate of Irish corporation tax of 12.5%. Ryanair recorded an 
income tax charge of €154.4 million in fiscal year 2017, compared with a tax charge of €162.8 million in fiscal year 2016. 

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. 

104 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2018 and 2017 of  €3,645.5 million and €4,128.5 million, respectively. The 
decrease at March 31, 2018 primarily reflects net capital expenditure of €1,470.6 million, shareholders returns of €829.1 
million and debt repayments of €458.9 million, offset by the profit after tax of €1,450.2 million. 

The Company’s net cash inflows from operating activities in fiscal years 2018 and 2017 amounted to €2,233.2 
million and €1,927.2 million, respectively. The  €306.0 million increase in net cash  flows from operating activities  for 
fiscal year 2018 compared to fiscal year 2017 was principally due to higher profit after tax of €134.3 million, depreciation 
and receipts for future flights offset by a decrease in trade payables. 

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 aircraft and related flight equipment,  payments on 
related indebtedness and payments of corporation tax, as well as share buy-backs of €829.1 million in fiscal year 2018 and 
€1,017.9  million  in  fiscal  year  2017.    Cash  generated  from  operations  and  the  issuance  of  €750  million  in  1.125% 
unsecured Eurobonds with a 6.5-year tenor in February 2017 have been the primary source for these cash requirements. 

The Company’s net cash inflows from operating activities in fiscal years 2017 and 2016 amounted to €1,927.2 
million and €1,846.3 million, respectively. The €80.9 million increase in net cash flows from operating activities for fiscal 
year 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016 was principally due to the increase in profit after tax of €74.3 million (excluding 
the gain on disposal of the available for sale financial asset of €317.5 million in  fiscal year 2016), an increase in trade 
payables and a smaller increase in accrued expenses, offset by an increase in other assets. The movement which primarily 
relates  to  cash  received  in  advance  for  flights,  receipts  for  other  receivables  and  increases  in  other  payables  balances, 
generated €113.1 million in cash in fiscal year 2017 compared with €135.6 million in fiscal year 2016. 

The Company’s net cash used in investing activities in fiscal year 2018 totaled €719.4 million, primarily reflecting 

the Company’s capital expenditures, as described in more detail below. 

The  Company’s  net  cash  used  in  investing  activities  in  fiscal  year  2017  totaled  €1,290.8  million,  primarily 

reflecting the Company’s capital expenditures. 

Net cash used in financing activities totaled €1,222.8 million in fiscal year 2018, largely reflecting shareholders 

returns of €829.1 million and repayments of long term borrowings of €458.9 million. 

Net cash used in financing activities totaled €671.6 million in fiscal year 2017, largely reflecting shareholders 
returns of €1,017.9 million and repayments of long term  borrowings of €447.1 million offset by  the  issuance of €750 
million unsecured Eurobonds in February 2017. 

105 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures. The Company’s net cash outflows for capital expenditures in fiscal years 2018 and 2017 
were  €1,470.6  million  and  €1,449.8  million  respectively.  Ryanair  has  traditionally  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, 2018, Ryanair had a fleet of 431 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, 153 of which 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 (16 of the aircraft in the fleet as of 
March 31, 2018) and commercial debt financing (6 of the aircraft in the fleet as of March 31, 2018). Of Ryanair’s total 
fleet of 431 Boeing 737-800 aircraft at March 31, 2018 there were 31 aircraft which were financed through operating lease 
arrangements, 154 aircraft were financed from Ryanair’s own resources on an unsecured basis and the remaining 71 aircraft 
have no outstanding debt remaining. 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 fiscal year 2019. 

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, 2014 Boeing Contracts: 

Fiscal Year End 
Opening Fleet 
Deliveries under 2013 Boeing Contract 
Firm deliveries under 2014 Boeing Contract 
Option Aircraft under 2014 Boeing Contract 
Planned returns or disposals 
Closing Fleet  

  Mar 31,    Mar 31,    Mar 31,    Mar 31,    Mar 31,    Mar 31,    Mar 31,   
      2018        2019        2020        2021        2022        2023        2024       Total 
 576     383 
 478   
 —   
 —   
 79 
 10     135 
 36   
 75 
 14   
 8   
 (15)     (87) 
 (9)   
 585     585 
 513   

 540   
 —   
 21   
 25   
 (10)   
 576   

 431   
 29   
 —   
 —   
 (5)   
 455   

 513   
 —   
 21   
 28   
 (22)   
 540   

 383   
 50   
 —   
 —   
 (2)   
 431   

 455   
 —   
 47   
 —   
 (24)   
 478   

Capital Resources. Ryanair’s long-term debt (including current maturities) totaled €3,963.0 million at March 31, 
2018 and €4,384.5 million at March 31, 2017, with the change being primarily attributable to debt repayments. 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, 2018. 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. 

At March 31, 2018, 153 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 20% 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, this is currently  managed as part of the  Ryanair risk  management strategy. The net result is that 
Ryanair has effectively swapped or drawn down fixed-rate euro-denominated debt with remaining maturities of up to 6 
years in respect of approximately 80% of its outstanding aircraft debt financing at March 31, 2018 and approximately 20% 
of total debt was floating rate at that date. 

106 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
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, 2018. 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, 2018 

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

EUR 
      Fixed 

EUR 

      Floating 

(in millions of euro) 
 866.6 
 (74.4) 
 792.2 

 3,096.4   
 74.4   
 3,170.8   

The  weighted-average interest rate  on the cumulative  borrowings  under these  facilities  of €3,963.0 million at 
March 31, 2018 was 1.41%. Ryanair’s ability to obtain additional loans pursuant to each of the facilities to finance the 
price of future Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft purchases is subject to the issuance of further bank 
commitments and the satisfaction of various contractual conditions. 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).  In 
addition, as a result of the Company obtaining a BBB+ (stable) credit rating from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) and Fitch 
Ratings and following Ryanair’s issuance of €850 million in 1.875% unsecured  Eurobonds with a 7-year tenor in June 
2014, issuance of €850 million in 1.125% unsecured Eurobonds with an 8-year tenor in March 2015 and issuance of €750 
million in 1.125% unsecured Eurobonds with an 6.5-year tenor in February 2017 under its EMTN program, the Company 
may decide in the future to issue additional debt from capital markets to finance future aircraft deliveries. 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 153 aircraft delivered and remaining in the fleet as of 
March 31, 2018 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. 

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% U.S. Ex-Im Bank loan guarantees and capital 
markets  (with  85%  loan  to  value)  financing,  24%  through  sale  and  operating  leaseback  financing,  and  10%  through 
JOLCOs  and  commercial  debt.  See  “Item  5.  Operating  and  Financial  Review  and  Prospects—Liquidity  and  Capital 
Resources.”  

107 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Under the 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 and 2014 
Boeing Contracts 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, 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, 2018, Ryanair had 31 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.  All  31  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 16 of the 31 remaining operating lease aircraft as at March 31, 2018 on pre-determined terms. At March 
31, 2018 the Company has exercised 10 of these options to extend. 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. 16 
of these JOLCO arrangements are still outstanding as of March 31, 2018. These structures are accounted for as finance 
leases and are initially recorded at fair value on 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. Ryanair 
exercised this option for 6 of these aircraft in fiscal year 2018. 6 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  currently  has  corporate  ratings  of  BBB+  (stable)  from  both  S&P  and  Fitch  Ratings  and  a  €5  billion 
EMTN program. Ryanair issued €850 million in unsecured Eurobonds with a 7-year tenor at a coupon of 1.875% in June 
2014, €850 million in unsecured Eurobonds with an 8-year tenor at a coupon of 1.125% in March 2015 and €750 million 
in unsecured Eurobonds with a 6.5-year tenor at a coupon of 1.125% in February 2017 under this program. All of these 
issuances are guaranteed by Ryanair Holdings. The Company used the proceeds from these issuances for general corporate 
purposes. 

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, 
2018.  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 Eurobond issuances in June 2014, March 2015 and February 2017. 
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.” 

108 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 $1.2321 = €1.00 (based on the European Central 
Bank Rate  on March 29, 2018). 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 and 2014 Boeing Contract, the 
Company was required to pay Boeing 1.0% of the Basic Price of each of the 318 firm-order Boeing 737 aircraft at the time 
the contracts were signed (such deposit being fully refundable if the Company had not received the shareholder approval 
at the EGMs on June 18, 2013 and November 28, 2014), 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. 

Contractual Obligations 

Long-term Debt (a) 
Finance Lease Obligations 
Purchase Obligations (b) 
Operating Lease Obligations 
Future Interest Payments (c) 
Total Contractual Obligations 

Obligations Due by Period 

Total 

        Less than 1 year      

1-2 years 
(in millions of euro) 

2-5 years 

      After 5 years 

 3,636.8     
 326.2     
   13,078.1     
 150.3     
 212.2     

  €   17,403.6    € 

 305.2   
 129.5   
 1,847.4   
 76.8   
 53.8   
 2,412.7   € 

 277.4   
 18.6   
 3,910.0   
 55.8   
 46.7   
 4,308.5   € 

 1,279.4   
 178.1   
 6,488.8   
 17.7   
 102.2   
8,066.2   € 

 1,774.8 
 — 
 831.9 
 — 
 9.5 
 2,616.2 

(a)  For  additional  information  on  Ryanair’s  long-term  debt  obligations,  see  Note  10  and  Note  22  to  the  consolidated 

financial statements included in Item 18. 

(b)  These are noted at a non-discounted “list” price. For additional information on Ryanair’s purchase obligation, see 

Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 18. 

(c)  In  determining  an  appropriate  methodology  to  estimate  future  interest  payments  Ryanair  has  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. 

109 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 €4,118.2 million (as at March 31, 2018) in letters of 
guarantee  to  secure  obligations  of  certain  of  its  subsidiaries  in  respect  of  loans,  capital  market  transactions  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, under which there was a total of 29 aircraft outstanding as at March 31, 
2018, amounting to approximately $2.3 million at list prices and guarantees given in relation to the 2014 Boeing contract 
under which there was a total of 210 aircraft (135 firm orders and 75 options) outstanding as at March 31, 2018 amounting 
to approximately $20.5 billion at list prices. 

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, 2018.  

INFLATION 

110 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 

DIRECTORS 

of July 19, 2018:  

Name 
David Bonderman (a)(b) 
Roisin Brennan (c) 
Michael Cawley (b) 
Emer Daly (c) 
Stan McCarthy (a)(e) 
Charles McCreevy (c) 
Declan McKeon (c) 
Kyran McLaughlin (a) 
Howard Millar (e) 
Dick Milliken (c) 
Mike O’Brien (d) 
Michael O’Leary (a) 
Julie O’Neill (e) 
Louise Phelan (b) 

(a)  Executive Committee Member. 
(b)  Nomination Committee Member. 
(c)  Audit Committee Member.  
(d)  Safety Committee Member.  
(e)  Remuneration Committee Member. 

      Age 
75 
53 
64 
55 
60 
68 
67 
74 
57 
67 
74 
57 
63 
51 

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

David Bonderman (Chairman) has served as a Director since August 1996 and as Chairman since December 1996. Mr. 
Bonderman also serves on the Boards of the following public companies: Caesars Entertainment Corporation, TPG Pace 
Energy Holdings Corp., and Kite Pharma, Inc. In addition, he serves on the Boards of The Wilderness Society, the Grand 
Canyon Trust, and the American Himalayan Foundation. He is a U.S. citizen.  

Roisin Brennan has served as a Director since May 2018. Ms. Brennan is a former Chief Executive of IBI Corporate 
Finance Ltd where she had extensive experience advising public companies in Ireland. She is currently a Non-Executive 
Director of Coillte CGA, Musgrave Group plc and Dell Bank International DAC having previously been a Non-Executive 
Director of DCC plc from 2005 until 2016. She is an Irish Citizen.  

Michael Cawley has served as a Director since August 2014. Mr. Cawley previously worked with Ryanair for 17 years 
as Ryanair’s Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer and contributed significantly to Ryanair’s growth and success until 
he retired in March 2014. Mr. Cawley’s other Non-Executive Directorships include Paddy Power plc, Kingspan Group 
plc, Hostelworld Group plc and he is also Chairman of Fáilte Ireland, the Irish tourism authority. He is an Irish citizen. 

Emer Daly has served as a Director of Ryanair since December 2017. Ms. Daly is currently Board Chairman at RSA 
Insurance Ireland DAC and a Non-Executive Director of Chetwood Financial Limited. Ms. Daly previously served as a 
Non-Executive Director of Permanent TSB Group plc and as a Director of Payzone Plc. Ms. Daly also held senior roles 
with PricewaterhouseCoopers and AXA Insurance for over 20 years. She is an Irish citizen. 

111 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stan McCarthy was appointed as a Director of Ryanair in May 2017. Mr. McCarthy was Chief Executive of Kerry Group 
from January 2008 until September 2017. Mr. McCarthy joined Kerry Group in 1976 and worked in a number of finance 
roles before being appointed as Vice President of Sales and Marketing in the USA in 1991, as President of Kerry North 
America in 1996 and as a Director of Kerry Group in 1999. He has dual Irish and U.S. citizenship.   

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

Declan McKeon has served as a Director since May 2010, having previously been an audit partner of PwC. Mr. McKeon 
is currently the Lead Independent Director of ICON plc. Mr. McKeon is chairman of the Audit Committee. He is an Irish 
citizen.  

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

Howard Millar was appointed as a Director of Ryanair in August 2015.  Mr. Millar had served as Deputy Chief Executive 
Officer and Chief Financial Officer from 2003 to December 2014 having previously been Director of Finance from 1993 
and Financial Controller in 1992. Mr. Millar is Chairman of BDO Ireland, a  member of Irelandia Aviation’s advisory 
board and a Non-Executive Director of both Applegreen plc and ASL Aviation Airlines Group Ltd. He is an Irish citizen. 

R.A. (Dick) Milliken  has served as a Director since July  2013 having previously been CFO of the  Almac Group and 
former CEO of Lamont plc. Mr. Milliken serves as a Director of Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank, where he is Chairman 
of the Audit Committee. Mr. Milliken is also Chairman of Northern Ireland Science Park and a Director of a number of 
private companies. He is a British citizen.  

Mike O’Brien was appointed as a Director of Ryanair in May 2016. Mr. O’Brien has a long and distinguished career in 
the aviation industry having retired in 2016 as Head of Flight  Operations Inspectorate  with the Maltese Civil Aviation 
Authority where he served from 2001 having previously spent 10 years as the Head of Operations Standards with the Irish 
Aviation Authority. Mr. O’Brien served 4 years as the Chief Pilot and Flight Operations Manager of Ryanair from 1987 
to 1991. He has also operated many different aircraft types throughout the years as an instructor and examiner with Aer 
Turas, GPA/Air Tara and Gulf Air. Mr. O’Brien is the co-chairman of the Company’s Safety Committee. He is an Irish 
citizen. 

Michael O’Leary has served as a Director of Ryanair since 1988 and as CEO since 1994. He is an Irish citizen. 

Julie O’Neill has served as a Director since December 2012 having previously served as Secretary General of the Irish 
Department of Transport 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 chairs the Sustainable Energy 
Authority of Ireland and is a Senior Independent Director of Permanent Group TSB plc and an independent Non-Executive 
Director of AXA Life Europe. She is an Irish citizen.  

Louise Phelan has served as a Director since December 2012. Ms. Phelan is currently serving as VP for PayPal Global 
Operations Europe, Middle East and Africa leading 1,800 people in Dublin, Dundalk and Berlin. Ms. Phelan is a member 
of the Board of Voxpro since January 2016. She is an Irish citizen. 

112 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, McCarthy, McLaughlin and O’Leary 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. Senior Management remuneration is comprised of a fixed basic pay and performance 
related bonuses which are awarded based on a combination of budget and non-budget performance criteria. The Board of 
Directors  as  a  whole  determines  the  remuneration  and  bonuses  of  the  CEO,  who  is  the  only  Executive  Director.  Mr. 
McCarthy, Mr. Millar and Ms. O’Neill 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 external auditors; to review with the auditors 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 auditors; to review the independence of the auditors; and to review the adequacy and effectiveness 
of the Company’s internal accounting controls. Mr. McKeon, Mr. McCreevy, Mr. Milliken, Ms. Daly and Ms. Brennan 
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 the purposes of the listing 
rules of the NASDAQ and the U.S. federal securities laws. Mr. Milliken will replace Mr. McKeon as Audit Committee 
Chairman when he steps down from the Board in September. 

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,  Cawley  and  Ms.  Phelan  are  the 
members of the Nomination Committee. 

Safety Committee. The Board of Directors established the Safety Committee in March 1997 to review and discuss 
air  safety  and  related  issues.  The  Safety  Committee  reports  to  the  full  Board  of  Directors  each  quarter.  The  Safety 
Committee is composed of Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Sorahan, Accountable Manager for Safety (who both act as co-chairman), 
as well as the following Executive Officers of Ryanair: Messrs. Bellew, Wilson, the Chief Pilot, Captain Ray Conway and 
the Chief Risk Officer, Ms. Carol Sharkey. A number of other managers are invited to attend, as required, from time to 
time. 

Powers of, and Action by, the Board of Directors 

The Board of Directors is empowered by the Articles of Association of Ryanair Holdings (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. 

113 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.  

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. 

•  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 
value of a transaction, as measured under any one or more of four class tests, exceeds a certain percentage 
of the size of the listed company undertaking the transaction as measured for the purposes of same tests.  

•  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 Act. Details of Ryanair’s 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  Act  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  in  order  to  be  eligible  to  attend  Ryanair’s  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.   

114 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company also follows certain other practices under the U.K. 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 thirteen Non-Executive Directors 
is “independent” under the standards set forth in the U.K. Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”).   

Under the 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 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 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  thirteen  Non-Executive  Directors  is  independent  under  the  Code  standard,  the 
Ryanair  Holdings  Board  of  Directors  identified  such  relevant  factors  with  respect  to  Non-Executive  Directors  Messrs. 
Bonderman, McLaughlin, Cawley, Millar, O’Brien and Ms. Phelan.  

The Board has also considered the independence of David Bonderman given his shareholding in Ryanair Holdings 
plc. As at March 31, 2018, David Bonderman had a beneficial shareholding in the Company of 7,535,454 ordinary shares, 
equivalent to 0.64% 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 Code.  

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 organization'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 Code Rules. 

The Board has considered Michael Cawley’s independence given that he served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer 
and Chief Operating Officer of Ryanair from 2003 to March 2014 and before that as Ryanair’s Chief Financial Officer and 
Commercial Director from 1997. The Board has considered Michael’s employment and has concluded that Michael Cawley 
is an independent Non-Executive Director within the spirit and meaning of the Code Rules.   

The Board has considered Howard Millar’s independence given that he was Ryanair’s Deputy Chief Executive up 
to  December  31,  2014,  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  up  to  September  30,  2014.  The  Board  has  considered  Howard’s 
employment and has concluded that Howard Millar is an independent Non-Executive Director within the spirit and meaning 
of the Code Rules.  

The Board has considered Mike O’Brien’s independence given that he served as Chief Pilot and Flight Operations 
Manager of Ryanair from 1987 to 1991. The Board has considered Mr. O’Brien’s employment and has concluded that he is 
an independent Non-Executive Director within the spirit and meaning of the Code Rules.  

115 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
The Board has also considered the independence of Louise Phelan given her role as Vice President for PayPal for 
Global Operations Europe, Middle East and Africa. PayPal is one of Ryanair’s payment service providers. The Board has 
considered the services provided by PayPal and have concluded that Louise Phelan is an independent Non-Executive Director 
within the spirit and meaning of the Code Rules. 

The Board has further considered the independence of Messrs. David Bonderman and Kyran McLaughlin 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 bring their 
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.  

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. 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the Executive Officers of Ryanair at July 19, 2018: 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 

Name 
Peter Bellew 
John Hurley 
Kenny Jacobs 
Juliusz Komorek 
David O’Brien 
Michael O’Leary 
Carol Sharkey 
Neil Sorahan 
Edward Wilson 

      Age 
53 
43 
44 
40 
54 
57 
43 
46 
54 

     Position 
  Chief Operations Officer 
  Chief Technology Officer 
  Chief Marketing Officer 
  Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer; Company Secretary 
  Chief Commercial Officer 
  Chief Executive Officer 
  Chief Risk Officer  
  Chief Financial Officer 
  Chief People Officer  

Peter Bellew (Chief Operations Officer). Peter was appointed Chief Operations Officer in December 2017. He returned 
to Ryanair from Malaysia Airlines where he was Group CEO. He is a 30-year veteran of the travel and aviation business.  
He  previously  worked  for  Ryanair  from  2006  to  2014  where  he  held  various  positions  including  Director  of  Flight 
Operations and Head of Sales and Marketing.  Prior to that he worked in the tour operating and airports sector. 

John Hurley (Chief Technology Officer). John was appointed Chief Technology Officer in September 2014. He joined 
Ryanair from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, where he was Vice-President of Engineering and Product Operations, Director 
of Platform Development and Software Development Program Manager. He was previously Production Manager at both 
Intuition Publishing Ltd and Education Multimedia Group and has over 19 years of experience in the IT industry. 

Kenny  Jacobs  (Chief  Marketing  Officer).  Kenny  was  appointed  Chief  Marketing  Officer  in  January  2014.  He  is 
responsible  for  sales,  digital  marketing  and  customer  service  at  Ryanair.  Previously  Kenny  was  CMO  for 
Moneysupermarket plc. which has a set of digital brands. Kenny has spent much of his career in retail with Tesco PLC as 
marketing Director in Tesco Ireland and brand Director for Tesco U.K. Prior to that he worked for German retailer Metro 
Group GmbH in various roles in marketing and IT in Europe and Asia.  

116 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Juliusz Komorek (Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer; Company Secretary). Juliusz was appointed Chief Legal and 
Regulatory Officer; Company Secretary in June 2015, having served as Company Secretary and Director of Legal and 
Regulatory Affairs since May 2009, and 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. 

David O’Brien (Chief Commercial Officer). David 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 has served as a Director of Ryanair DAC since 1988 and a Director 
of Ryanair Holdings since 1996. Michael was appointed CEO of Ryanair in 1994, having previously served as CFO since 
1988.  

Carol Sharkey (Chief Risk Officer). Carol was appointed as Chief Risk Officer in May 2018 having held the position of 
Director of Safety and Security since 2014.  She has worked at Ryanair since 1995 having previously held roles in inflight, 
flight operations and in recent years has overseen the flight safety department. 

Neil Sorahan (Chief Financial Officer). Neil was appointed Chief Financial Officer in October 2014, having previously 
served as Ryanair’s Finance Director since June 2006. Prior to that he was Group Treasurer from January 2003. Before 
joining Ryanair, Neil held various finance and treasury roles at CRH plc., the international building materials group.  

Edward Wilson (Chief People Officer). Eddie was appointed Chief People Officer 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 its 8 Executive Officers 
named above in fiscal year 2018 was €9.7 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’ 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. 
The additional remuneration paid to all Committee members for service on that committee is €15,000 per annum, with the 
exception of the Chairman of the Safety Committee who is entitled to receive €40,000 per annum in connection with the 
additional duties in relation to that 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.  

117 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employment and Bonus Agreement with Mr. O’Leary 

In October 2014, Michael O’Leary (Chief Executive Officer) signed a 5-year contract which commits him to the 
Company until September 2019. This contract replaces a rolling 12-month arrangement under which Mr. O’Leary has 
worked as Chief Executive of the airline since 1994. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. O’Leary serves as Chief Executive 
Officer at a current annual gross salary of approximately €1 million, subject to any increases that may be agreed between 
the  Company  and  Mr.  O’Leary.  Mr.  O’Leary  is  also  eligible  for  annual  bonuses,  limited  to  100%  of  basic  salary  as 
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, which are subject to the achievement of both budget and personal 
performance  criteria;  the  amount  of  such  bonuses  paid  to Mr.  O’Leary  in  fiscal  year  2018  totaled  approximately  €0.9 
million. 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.  

The following table sets forth the details of Ryanair’s team at each of March 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016: 

STAFF AND LABOR RELATIONS 

Classification 
Management 
Administrative 
Maintenance 
Ground Operations 
Pilots 
Cabin Crew 
Total 

  Number of Staff at March 31,    
      2018 

      2017 

      2016 

120  
780   
156  
433   
4,831   
8,263   
14,583   

 116  
 603   
 152  
 413   
 4,058   
 7,684   
 13,026   

 112   
 485  
 148  
 356  
 3,424  
 6,933  
 11,458  

While  Ryanair  makes  the  transition  to  collective  bargaining  with  unions,  these  unions  may  have  unrealistic 
expectations and agitate for unproductive work practices which if acceded to would add to the complexity and costs to the 
business.  Ryanair  will continue to defend its existing high productivity business  model. Ryanair believes that existing 
terms and conditions for both pilots and cabin crew are already extremely competitive in the market with competitive pay, 
fixed rosters, outstanding promotional opportunities and a wide choice of base locations across Europe.  

Ryanair’s  pilots,  cabin  crew,  maintenance  and  ground  operations  personnel  undergo  continuous  recurrent 
training. A substantial portion of the training for Ryanair’s cabin crew 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.  

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. 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. Cabin crew 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 while 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, Ryanair could face some difficulty in hiring and continuing to employ the required personnel due to a 
tightening labour market driven by wage inflation particularly from China. Ryanair has also been able to satisfy its needs 
for additional pilots and cabin crew through the use of contract agencies. These contract pilots and cabin crew are included 
in the table above.  

118 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 cabin crew (within limits set by 
industry standards or regulations governing maximum working hours). During fiscal year 2018, such productivity-based 
incentive payments accounted for approximately 42% of an average cabin crew’s total earnings and approximately  31% 
of  the  typical  pilot’s  compensation.  Pilots  at  all  of  Ryanair’s  bases  are  covered  by  the  terms  of  existing  collective 
agreements on pay, allowances and rosters which fall due for negotiation at various dates between 2019 and 2023 however 
these  agreements  are  likely  to  be  replaced  by  Collective  Labour  Agreements  (CLA)  negotiated  with  the  unions  and 
Company Councils in each country. Ryanair’s pilots are currently subject to IAA-approved limits of 900 flight-hours per 
calendar year. For fiscal year 2018, the average flight-hours for Ryanair’s pilots amounted to approximately 68.5 hours 
per month and approximately 822 hours for the complete year, a 2.38% decrease 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  Holdings’  shareholders  have  approved  a  number  of  share  option  plans  for  employees  and  Directors. 
Ryanair  Holdings  has  also  issued  share  options  to  several  of  its  senior  managers.  For  details  of  all  outstanding  share 
options, see “Item 10. Additional Information––Options to Purchase Securities from Registrant or Subsidiaries.” 

119 

 
 
 
 
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions 

As of June 30, 2018, there were 1,154,586,709 Ordinary Shares outstanding. As of that date, 100,825,777 ADRs, 
representing 504,128,886 Ordinary Shares, were held of record in the United States by 56 holders, and represented in the 
aggregate 43.7% 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, 2018, June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016, the latest 
practicable date prior to the Company’s publication of its statutory Annual Report in each of the relevant years. 

As of June 30, 2018 

As of June 30, 2017 

As of June 30, 2016 

  % of    
      No. of Shares       Class       No. of Shares       Class       No. of Shares       Class   

  % of   

  % of   

Capital 
HSBC Holdings PLC 
Fidelity 
Baillie Gifford 
Michael O’Leary 

 196,038,142  
 55,792,770   
 63,587,530   
 55,403,057   
 44,096,725   

 17.0 %    174,732,018  
 4.8 %    112,027,084  
 5.5 %     70,116,745  
 4.8 %     61,407,951  
 3.8 %     46,096,725  

 14.5 %    170,097,046  
 9.3 %     67,327,570   
 5.8 %     81,631,505   
 5.1 %     74,577,765   
 3.8 %     50,096,725   

 13.5 %   
 5.3 %   
 6.5 %   
 5.9 %   
 3.9 %   

As  of  June  30,  2018,  the  Directors  of  Ryanair  Holdings  as  a  group  owned  53,053,127  Ordinary  Shares, 
representing  4.6%  of  Ryanair  Holdings’  outstanding  Ordinary  Shares  as  of  such  date.  See  also  Note  18(d)  to  the 
consolidated financial statements included herein. Each of Ryanair’s shareholders has identical voting rights with respect 
to its Ordinary Shares. 

As of March 31, 2018, there were 1,171,142,985 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, 2018, March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016.   

  As of March 31, 2018 
  % of 

  As of March 31, 2017 
  % of 

  As of March 31, 2016 
  % of 

Capital 
Fidelity 
HSBC Holdings PLC 
Michael O’Leary 
Baillie Gifford 

      No. of Shares       Class        No. of Shares       Class        No. of Shares       Class    
    193,229,822     16.5 %    175,034,773     14.4 %    164,067,874     12.7 % 
 6.3 % 
 5.5 % 
 3.8 % 
 5.8 % 

 5.8 %     81,631,505   
 8.7 %     71,373,074   
 4.1 %     50,096,725   
 5.1 %     74,971,675   

 5.8 %     70,634,226   
 5.5 %    105,488,520   
 3.9 %     50,096,725   
 3.9 %     61,526,458   

 67,919,641   
 64,191,568   
 46,096,725   
 45,244,444   

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  Directors as disclosed in Note 26 to the consolidated financial statements) as 
defined in Item 7.B. of Form 20-F in the three fiscal years ending March 31, 2018 or in the period from March 31, 2018 
to the date hereof. 

Item 8. Financial Information 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Please refer to “Item 18. Financial Statements.” 

120 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Legal Proceedings 

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

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 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. Since 2002, the European Commission has examined the agreements between 
Ryanair  and  various  airports  to  establish  whether  they  constituted  illegal  state  aid.  In  many  cases,  the  European 
Commission  has  concluded  that  the  agreements  did  not  constitute  state  aid.  In  other  cases,  Ryanair  has  successfully 
challenged the EU commission finding that there was state aid.  In July and October 2014, the European Commission 
announced findings of state aid to Ryanair in its arrangements with Pau, Nimes, Angouleme, Altenburg and Zweibrücken 
airports, ordering Ryanair to repay a total of approximately €9.9 million of alleged aid.  In July and November 2016, the 
European  Commission  announced  findings  of  state  aid  to  Ryanair  in  its  arrangements  with  Cagliari  and  Klagenfurt 
respectively, ordering Ryanair to repay approximately €12.6 million of alleged aid. Ryanair has appealed the seven “aid” 
decisions to the EU General Court. These appeal proceedings are expected to take between two and four years.   

Ryanair is facing similar legal challenges with respect to agreements with certain other airports, notably Paris 
(Beauvais), La Rochelle, Carcassonne, Girona, Reus, Târgu Mureș and Montpellier. These investigations are ongoing and 
Ryanair currently expects that they will conclude in late 2018, with any European Commission decisions appealable to the 
EU General Court. 

Ryanair is also facing an allegation that it has benefited from unlawful state aid in a German court case in relation 

to its arrangements with Frankfurt (Hahn). 

Adverse rulings in the above or similar cases 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 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. 

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, 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 licenced access to its flight and 
pricing  information  to  such  websites.  Ryanair  also  permits  Travelport  and  Sabre,  GDS  operators, to provide  access to 
Ryanair’s fares to traditional bricks and mortar travel agencies. The Company has received favorable rulings in France, 
Germany, Ireland, Italy and The Netherlands, and unfavorable rulings in Germany, 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 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.” 

121 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend Policy 

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 May 21, 
2012 that Ryanair Holdings intended to pay a special dividend of €0.34 per ordinary share (approximately €492 million) 
and this special dividend was paid on November 30, 2012.  The Company indicated on May 19, 2014 that it planned to 
pay  a  special  dividend  of  up  to  approximately  €520  million  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  year  2015,  and  this  special 
dividend was paid on February 27, 2015.  In September, 2015 the Company announced a B share scheme of €398 million 
to return the proceeds from the sale of its shares in Aer Lingus to shareholders; payments to shareholders issued in October 
2015. 

Share Buy-back Program 

Following shareholder approval at the 2006 annual general meeting, a €300 million share buy-back program was 
formally announced on June 5, 2007. Permission was received at the annual general meeting 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 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 fiscal year 2012 and 15 million Ordinary Shares at a cost of approximately 
€68 million in fiscal year 2013.  

In April 2012, the Company held an 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. Up until April 2012, shareholders had 
only  authorized  the  Directors  to  repurchase  Ordinary  Shares.  As  the  ADRs  typically  trade  at  a  premium  compared  to 
Ordinary Shares, this has resulted in increased costs in performing share buy-backs and may continue to do so in the future.  
This authority was renewed at the Annual General Meeting held on September 20, 2013 and at subsequent Annual General 
Meetings and an Extraordinary General Meeting in 2016.  

In fiscal year 2014, 69.5 million Ordinary Shares (including Ordinary Shares underlying just over 6.0 million ADRs) were 
repurchased at a cost of approximately €482 million. In February 2015, the Company announced a €400 million ordinary 
share  buy-back  program  which  was  completed  between  February  and  August  2015.  In  February  2016,  the  Company 
announced  an  €800  million  Ordinary  Share  buyback  program  (including  Ordinary  Shares  underlying  ADRs)  and  this 
program was subsequently increased to €886 million in June 2016. €418 million of this program was completed in fiscal 
year 2016 to buyback approximately 29.1 million shares (including approximately 19.9 million shares underlying ADRs) 
with  the  remaining  €468  million  spent  in  fiscal  year  2017  to  buyback  approximately  36.0  million  shares  (including 
approximately 3.9 million shares underlying ADRs). In addition to the above, in fiscal year 2017, the Company bought 
back 36.4 million shares (including approximately 17.7 million shares underlying ADRs) at a total cost of approximately 
€550  million  during  the  period  November  2016  to  February  2017.  In  February  2017  the  Company  announced  the 
commencement of a €150 million share buyback program in respect of shares underlying ADRs. The Company bought 
back approximately 2.0 million shares underlying ADRs at a cost of €39 million under this program during fiscal year 
2018. In addition to the above, in fiscal year 2018, the Company bought back 33.0 million shares at a total cost of €600 
million under its €600 million share buyback program which commenced in May 2017 and 11.7 million shares at a total 
cost of €190 million under it €750 million share buyback which commenced in February 2018. As of July 19, 2018 the 
Company had bought back approximately 20.1 million shares at a cost of €320.1 million under this €750 million program 
during fiscal year 2019. All Ordinary Shares (including ADRs which represent five Ordinary Shares) repurchased have 
been cancelled.  

See “Item 9. The Offer and Listing - Trading Markets and Share Prices” below for further information regarding share 
buy-backs. 

122 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES 

Between April 1, 2018 and July 19, 2018, the Company had bought back 20.1 million ordinary shares at a total 
cost of €320.1 million under its €750 million share buyback which commenced in February 2018. This was equivalent to 
1.7% of the Company’s issued share capital at March 31, 2018. All ordinary shares repurchased are cancelled. 

In April 2018, the Company announced that it has converted 25 Boeing 737-Max-200 options into firm orders. 

This brings the Company’s firm order to 135 Boeing 737-Max-200s with a further 75 options remaining. 

In April 2018, the Company purchased 24.9% of LaudaMotion.   On July 12, 2018 the European Commission 
approved  Ryanair’s  proposed  acquisition  of  a  further  50.1%  interest  in  LaudaMotion,  clearing  the  way  for  Ryanair  to 
increase its holding to 75%. 

123 

 
 
 
 
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 5 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) 
      Low 

      High 

 36.89   
 54.05   
 71.27   
 87.64   

 86.99   
 87.41   
 79.50   
 84.81   

 27.77 
 34.62 
 46.99 
 60.10 

 74.19 
 66.82 
 67.71 
 67.79 

 85.66   
 110.58   
 120.16   
 126.69   

 78.66 
 82.59 
 101.59 
 103.25 

 123.71   
 124.69   
 126.39   
 123.45   
 120.70   
 120.78   

 105.25 
 113.10 
 118.56 
 109.97 
 109.89 
 112.38 
   118.30    111.99 

2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2017 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2018 

January 2018 
February 2018 
March 2018 
April 2018 
May 2018 
June 2018 
July 2018 (to July 19, 2018) 

124 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2017 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2018 

January 2018 
February 2018 
March 2018 
April 2018 
May 2018 
June 2018 
July 2018 (to July 19, 2018) 

2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2017 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2018 

January 2018 
February 2018 
March 2018 
April 2018 
May 2018 
June 2018 
July 2018 (to July 19, 2018) 

125 

Ordinary Shares 
(Irish Stock Exchange) 
(in euro) 

      High 

 5.00   
 7.47   
 9.83   
 15.35   

 15.34   
 14.20   
 13.45   
 14.89   

 14.96   
 18.74   
 19.39   
 17.97   

 16.79   
 16.77   
 16.56   
 16.50   
 16.72   
 16.67   
16.04   

Low 
 3.68 
 4.76 
 6.30 
 9.06 

 12.75 
 10.46 
 10.91 
 11.14 

 13.94 
 14.55 
 16.32 
 14.61 

 15.05 
 15.70 
 15.82 
 15.34 
 15.32 
 15.39 
15.05 

Ordinary Shares 
(London Stock Exchange) 
(in euro) 

High 

 5.00   
 7.48   
 9.82   
 15.29   

 15.34   
 14.19   
 13.46   
 14.89   

 14.93   
 18.74   
 19.35   
 17.98   

 16.82   
 16.71   
 16.56   
 16.52   
 16.78   
 16.81   
16.13   

Low 

 3.68 
 4.76 
 6.31 
 9.06 

 12.75 
 10.53 
 10.90 
 11.13 

 13.92 
 14.54 
 16.27 
 14.65 

 15.00 
 15.72 
 15.28 
 15.35 
 15.35 
 15.49 
15.05 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
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 56, 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  meetings  and  extraordinary  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,  
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
Period through July 19, 2018 
Total 

      No. of shares (m)      Approx. cost (€m) 
 300.0 
 46.0 
–– 
–– 
 124.6 
 67.5 
 481.7 
 112.0 
 706.1 
 1,017.9 
 829.1 
320.1 
4,005.0 

 59.5   
 18.1   
––   
––   
 36.5   
 15.0   
 69.5   
 10.9   
 53.7   
 72.3   
 46.7  
 20.1   
402.3   

All Ordinary Shares repurchased have been, or will be, cancelled. 

The maximum price at which the Company may repurchase Ordinary Shares traded on the Irish Stock Exchange 
or the London Stock Exchange is the higher of (i) 5% above the average market value of the Company’s Ordinary Shares 
on the trading venue where the shares are being repurchased for the 5 business days prior to the date of purchase; and (ii) 
the price stipulated by the European Commission-adopted regulatory technical standards pursuant to article 5(6) of the EU 
Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014, being the higher of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid 
on  the  trading  venue  on  which  the  shares  are  being  repurchased.  The  maximum  price  at  which  the  Company  may 
repurchase Ordinary Shares which underlie the Company’s ADSs traded on NASDAQ is 5% above the average market 
value of one-fifth of the Company’s ADSs on NASDAQ for the 5 business days prior to the date of purchase (as one ADS 
represents 5 Ordinary Shares).  

The minimum price at which the Company may repurchase Ordinary Shares is their nominal value of 0.600 euro 

cent (€0.006). 

At an EGM 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 are converted to Ordinary Shares by the Company’s brokers 
for subsequent repurchase and cancellation by the Company.  

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As of June 30, 2018, the total number of options over Ordinary Shares outstanding under all of the Company’s 

share option plans was 30.1 million, representing 2.6% of the Company’s issued share capital at that date. 

Item 10. Additional Information 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 

Ryanair Holdings’ capital stock consists of Ordinary Shares, each having a par value of 0.600 euro cent. As of 
March 31, 2018, a total of 1,171,142,985 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.  

On October 27, 2015, the Company completed a capital reorganisation which involved the consolidation of its 
ordinary share  capital on a 39 for 40 basis  which resulted in the reduction of ordinary shares  in issue by 33.8 million 
ordinary shares to 1,319.3 million as at that date. The nominal value of an ordinary share was also reduced from 0.635 
euro cent each to 0.600 euro cent each under the reorganisation. All ‘B’ Shares and Deferred Shares issued in connection 
with the B scheme were either redeemed or cancelled during the period such that there were no ‘B’ Shares or Deferred 
Shares remaining in issue as at March 31, 2016. 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 

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 5-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 replaced all stock options plans previously approved by shareholders for 
all future grants, as these previously approved plans have expired.  

Under Option Plan 2013, 36 senior managers (including 7 of the current Executive Officers) and 10 of the current 
Non-Executive Board members were granted 10 million share options, in the aggregate, at a strike price of €6.25 in July 
2014. These options are exercisable between June 2019 and July 2022. They will only vest if certain targets in relation to 
net profit and/or share price are achieved and will only be available to managers/Directors who continue to be employed 
by  the  Company  through  April  30,  2019.  Also  under  Option  Plan  2013,  3.5  million  share  options  were  granted,  in 
aggregate,  to  Executive  Officers  at  a  strike  price  of  €6.74  in  October  2014.  These  options  are  exercisable  between 
September 2019 and October 2021. They will only vest if certain exceptional targets in relation to net profit and/or share 
price are achieved and will only be available to Executives who continue to be employed by the Company through July 
31, 2019. On November 11, 2014, 5 million options were granted to Mr. O’Leary under Option Plan 2013 as part of his 
new 5-year contract. These options which were granted at a strike price of €8.35 are exercisable between September 2019 
and  November  2021.  They  will  only  vest  if  certain  exceptional  targets  in  relation  to  net  profit  and/or  share  price  are 
achieved and will only be available if Mr. O’Leary continues to be employed by the Company through July 31, 2019. 
During fiscal year 2016, 30,000 options were granted under Option plan 2013 to new Non-Executive Board members at a 
strike price of €11.38. These options are exercisable between August 2019 and August 2021. They will only vest if certain 
exceptional  targets  in  relation  to  net  profit  and/or  share  price  are  achieved  and  will  only  be  available  to  those  Non-
Executive Board members who continue to be Directors through April 30, 2019. During the fiscal year 2017, 34 senior 
managers (excluding the Executive Officers) were granted 3 million share options, in aggregate, at a strike price of €12.00. 
These options, which are exercisable between August 2021 and August 2023, will only vest if certain targets in relation to 
net profit and / or share price are achieved and will only be available to managers who continue to be employed by the 
Company through March 31, 2021. 

127 

 
 
 
 
 
 
The aggregate of 30.1 million Ordinary Shares that would be issuable upon exercise in full of the options that 
were outstanding as of June 30, 2018 under the Company’s option plan represent approximately 2.6% of the issued share 
capital of Ryanair Holdings as of such date. Of such total, options in respect of an aggregate of 11.9 million 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.  

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.  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 (rounded down to the next whole number if it is a fractional number) 
retire and offer themselves for re-election at each annual general meeting of the Company. However, in compliance with 
the recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code, all Directors retire and present themselves for re-election 
by  the  shareholders  annually.  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. All 
Ryanair shareholders  may 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 three classes of shares, Ordinary 
Shares with a par value of 0.600 euro cent per share, B Shares with a nominal value of 0.050 cent per share and Deferred 
Shares with a nominal value of 0.050 cent per share.  The B Shares and the Deferred Shares were created at an EGM of 
the Company held on October 22, 2015 in connection with a return of value to shareholders arising from the sale of the 
Company’s  shareholding  in  Aer  Lingus  plc,  and  no  such  shares  remain  in  issue.    Accordingly,  the  Ordinary  Shares 
currently represent the only class of shares in issue and 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. 

128 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 licence, 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 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 provide that the Directors will not register any person as a holder of shares unless 
such person  has completed a  declaration indicating his/her  nationality and the  nature and extent of any  interest  which 
he/she holds in 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, over a 5 year period from fiscal year 2015 to 2019 in accordance with the terms of the contract. 
The contract was approved by the shareholders of the Company at an EGM on June 18, 2013. In April 2014, the Company 
agreed to purchase an additional 5 Boeing 737-800 next generation aircraft and in February 2015, the Company agreed to 
purchase an additional 3 Boeing 737-800 next generation. This brings the total number of 737-800 next generation aircraft 
on  order  to  183,  with  a  list  value  of  approximately  $14.4  billion.  At  March  31,  2018,  154  of  these  aircraft  had  been 
delivered. 

In September 2014, the Group entered into an agreement with Boeing to purchase 200 Boeing 737-MAX-200 
aircraft (100 firm orders and 100 aircraft subject to option), over a 5 year period from fiscal year 2020 to 2024 in accordance 
with the terms of the contract. The contract was approved by the shareholders of the Company at an EGM on November 
28, 2014. In June 2017, the Group agreed to purchase an additional 10 Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft. This brings the total 
number of 737-MAX-200 aircraft on order to 210, with a list value of approximately $21.5 billion (assuming all options 
are exercised). In April 2018, the Company announced that it has converted 25 Boeing 737-MAX-200 options into firm 
orders. This brings the Company’s firm order to 135 Boeing 737-MAX-200s with a further 75 options remaining. 

In  April 2018, the Company  purchased 24.9% of LaudaMotion. On July 12, 2018 the European Commission 
approved  Ryanair’s  proposed  acquisition  of  a  further  50.1%  interest  in  LaudaMotion,  clearing  the  way  for  Ryanair  to 
increase its holding to 75%.  

129 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

The 1992 Act prohibits financial transfers involving President Lukashenko, the Belarusian leadership and certain 
other officials of Belarus, the late Slobodan Milosevic and associated persons, certain persons indicted by the International 
Criminal Tribunal for the  former Yugoslavia, Burma  (Myanmar), 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 and activities 
in Sudan and South Sudan, Somalia, certain persons in Tunisia, Zimbabwe, certain activities, persons and entities in Syria 
and Iran, certain persons, entities and bodies in Ukraine, 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 
jeopardise the Company’s entitlement to continue to hold or enjoy the benefit of any licence, permit, consent or privilege 
which  it  holds  or  enjoys  and  which  enables  it  to  carry  on  business  as  an  air  carrier  (a  “Licence”).  In  particular,  EU 
Regulation 1008/2008 requires that, in order to obtain and retain an operating licence, an EU air carrier must be majority-
owned and effectively controlled by EU nationals. As described below, the Directors 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%.  

In  accordance  with  its  Articles,  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 Ordinary Shares of Ryanair Holdings 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.  

130 

 
 
 
 
 
 
In the event that, inter alia, (i) the refusal, withholding, suspension or revocation of any Licence or the imposition 
of any condition  which  materially inhibits the exercise of any  Licence (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, (iii) an Intervening Act may 
occur as a  consequence of the level of non-EU ownership of Ordinary  Shares or (iv) 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).  

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 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 
automatically 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. 

131 

 
 
 
 
 
The Permitted Maximum is currently set at 49.9%. This maximum level can be reduced at any time if it becomes 
necessary for the Directors to exercise their 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.  

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 
EGM held on April 19, 2012, the Company obtained a 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  each 
subsequent Annual General Meeting up to and including fiscal year 2018.   

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  July  19,  2018,  EU  nationals  owned  at  least  52.8%  of  Ryanair  Holdings’  Ordinary  Shares  (assuming 
conversion of all outstanding ADRs into Ordinary Shares. In the context of the proposed departure of the UK from the EU 
in March 2019 or January 2021, in line with the Company’s Articles, the Directors intend to restrict the voting rights of 
all non-EU stockholders in the event of a hard or no-deal Brexit, so as to ensure that the Company is majority owned and 
effectively  controlled  by  EU  shareholders  at  all  times,  to  comply  with  its  licences.  This  would  result  in  non-EU 
shareholders not being able to vote on shareholder resolutions. 

Irish Tax Considerations  

TAXATION 

The following is a discussion of certain Irish tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of 
Ordinary Shares or ADRs. 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.  

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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. 

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; 

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•  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. ADR 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.  

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 ADRs. 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 ADRs.  

134 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Irish Capital Acquisitions Tax. A gift or inheritance of the Ordinary Shares or ADRs 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 ADRs 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 ADRs 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 ADRs by persons purchasing such ADRs or on any 
subsequent transfer of ADRs. 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 ADRs 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 ADRs 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 ADRs or 
ADRs 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 ADRs or ADRs 
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. 

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations  

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 beneficial owner of the Ordinary Shares or ADRs who 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 tax advice or 
a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase the Ordinary 
Shares or the ADRs, including the alternative minimum tax and Medicare tax on net investment income. 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, tax-
exempt organizations 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 
(measured by vote or value), U.S. Holders whose “functional currency” is not U.S. dollars or persons that hold the Ordinary 
Shares  or  the  ADRs  as  a  synthetic  security  or  as  part  of  an  integrated  investment  (including  a  “straddle”  or  hedge) 
consisting of the Ordinary Shares or the ADRs and one or more other positions.  

135 

 
 
 
 
 
 
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), its legislative history, 
existing and proposed regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. 
These authorities are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. In addition, this summary assumes the deposit 
agreement, and all other related agreements, will be performed in accordance with their terms. 

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, in the case of Ordinary 
Shares, or when received by the Depositary, in the case of ADRs. Such dividends will 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 should be included 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, in the case of Ordinary Shares, or the Depositary, in the case of 
ADRs. 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  with  respect  to  the  Ordinary  Shares  or  ADRs  will  be  taxable  at  the  preferential  rates  for  “qualified 
dividends” if (i) the Company 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 is paid, and is not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a passive 
foreign investment company (a “PFIC”). The Convention between the Government of the United States of America and 
the Government of Ireland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to 
Taxes on Income and Capital Gains, dated as of July 28, 1999 (the “U.S.-Ireland Income Tax Treaty”) has been approved 
for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules. 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 fiscal 
2017 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 fiscal 2018 taxable year.  

Dividends received by U.S. Holders generally will constitute foreign source and “passive category” income for 
U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Subject to limitations under U.S. federal income tax law concerning credits or deductions 
for foreign taxes, any Irish taxes withheld from cash dividends on the Ordinary Shares or ADRs will be treated as a foreign 
income tax eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (or at a U.S. Holder’s election, may 
be deducted in computing taxable income if the U.S. Holder has elected to deduct all foreign income taxes for the taxable 
year). The rules with respect to foreign tax credits are complex and 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 

should not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.  

136 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxation of Capital Gains   

Upon a sale or other disposition of the Ordinary Shares or ADRs, U.S. holders will recognize gain or loss for 
U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized 
on the disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis, determined in U.S. dollars, in the Ordinary Shares or ADRs. Generally, 
such gains or losses will be capital gains or losses, and will be long-term capital gains or losses if the Ordinary Shares or 
ADRs have been held for more than one  year. Short-term capital gains are subject to U.S. federal taxation at ordinary 
income rates. Gains realized by a U.S. Holder generally should constitute income from sources within the United States 
for  foreign  tax  credit  purposes  and  generally  should  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 should not result in the 

realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding 

Dividends paid on, and proceeds from, the sale or other disposition of the Ordinary Shares or ADRs that are made 
within  the  United  States  or  through  certain  U.S.  related  financial  intermediaries  generally  will  be  subject  to  information 
reporting  and  may  also  be  subject  to  backup  withholding  unless  the  holder  (i)  provides  a  correct  taxpayer  identification 
number  and  certifies  that  it  is  not  subject  to  backup  withholding  or  (ii)  otherwise  establish  an  exemption  from  backup 
withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be allowed as a refund or credit against 
a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue 
Service. 

DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY 

Copies of Ryanair Holdings’ Articles may be examined at its registered office and principal place of business at 

its Dublin Office, Airside Business Park, Swords, County Dublin, K67 NY94, 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.  

137 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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 swaps, 
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 737s. Ryanair is also exposed to the risk that the counterparties to its derivative 
financial  instruments  may  not  be  creditworthy.  If  a  counterparty  was  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, 2018. 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. 

138 

 
 
 
 
 
FUEL PRICE EXPOSURE AND HEDGING 

Fuel costs constitute a substantial portion of Ryanair’s operating expenses (approximately 35% and 37% of such 
expenses in fiscal years 2018 and 2017, 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 Availability Affect 
the  Company’s  Results”  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 2018 Compared with Fiscal Year 2017—Fuel and Oil.” As of July 19, 2018, Ryanair had entered into forward jet 
fuel (jet kerosene) contracts covering approximately 90% of its estimated requirements for the fiscal year ending March 
31, 2019 at prices equivalent to approximately $583 per metric ton. In addition, the Company had entered into forward jet 
fuel hedging contracts covering approximately 19% of its estimated requirements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 
2020 at prices equivalent to approximately $690 per metric ton with respect to its expected fuel purchases beyond that 
period. 

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 losses or gains on outstanding forward agreements at March 31, 2018 and 2017, 
based on their fair values, amounted to a €209.8 million gain and a €58.2 million gain (gross of tax), respectively. Based 
on Ryanair’s fuel consumption for fiscal year 2018, a change of $1.00 in the average annual price per metric ton of jet fuel 
would have caused a change of approximately €3.0 million in Ryanair’s fuel costs. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk 
Factors—Risks Related to the Company—Changes in Fuel Costs and Availability Affect the Company’s Results.”  

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 fiscal years 2017 and 2018, 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 fiscal year 2018, the Company recorded a positive fair-value adjustment of €132.6 million 
(net of tax), and in fiscal year 2017 the Company recorded a positive fair-value adjustment of €654.8 million (net of tax) 
within accumulated other comprehensive income in respect of jet fuel forward contracts. 

139 

 
 
 
 
FOREIGN CURRENCY EXPOSURE AND HEDGING 

In recent years, Ryanair’s revenues have been denominated primarily in two currencies, the euro and the U.K. 
pound  sterling.  The  euro  and  the  U.K.  pound  sterling  accounted  for  approximately  66%  and  24%,  respectively,  of 
Ryanair’s total revenues in fiscal year 2018 (2017: 65% and 25% respectively). 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 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 practically 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 fiscal years 2018 and 2017, 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. At March 
31, 2018, the total unrealized loss relating to these contracts amounted to €182.8 million, compared to a €176.2 million 
unrealized gain at March 31, 2017. 

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 fiscal year 2018, the Company recorded a negative 
fair-value adjustment of €729.2 million (net of tax) within accumulated other comprehensive income in respect of these 
contracts, as compared to a negative fair-value adjustment of €56.4 million in fiscal year 2017.  

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 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  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, 2018, the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements (including cross currency swaps) relating 
to this U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate debt was represented by a loss of €6.7 million (gross of tax) compared to a 
gain  of  €7.9  million  (gross  of  tax)  in  fiscal  2017.  In  fiscal  year  2018,  the  Company  recorded  a  negative  fair-value 
adjustment of €12.8 million (net of tax), compared to a positive fair-value adjustment of €15.6 million (net of tax) in fiscal 
year 2017, within accumulated other comprehensive income in respect of these contracts.  

Hedging associated with capital expenditures. During fiscal years 2018 and 2017, the Company also held 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. At March 31, 2018, the total unrealized 
loss relating to these contracts amounted to €413.7 million, compared to €150.8 million unrealized gain at March 31, 2017.  

140 

 
 
 
 
Under  IFRS,  the  Company  generally  accounts  for  these  contracts  as  cash-flow  hedges.  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, 2018, the total unrealized gains relating to these contracts amounted to €413.7 million, while at 
March 31, 2017 unrealized gains amounted to €150.8 million. Under IFRS, the Company recorded  a negative fair-value 
adjustment of €573.1 million and fair-value adjustments of €132.0 million for cash-flow hedges in fiscal years 2018 and 
2017, respectively. No fair-value adjustments were recorded with respect to fair-value hedges in fiscal years 2018 and 
2017 as the Company did not enter in to any fair value hedges. 

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, 2018 would have no impact on the income 
statement (net of tax) (2017: €nil; 2016: €0.1 million). The same movement of 10% in foreign currency exchange rates 
would have a positive €866.1 million impact (net of tax) on equity if the rate fell by 10% and negative €708.6 million 
impact (net of tax) if the rate increased by 10%. (2017: €336.1 million positive or €410.7 million negative; 2016: €567.6 
million positive or €464.4 million negative). 

INTEREST RATE EXPOSURE AND HEDGING 

The Company’s purchase of 175 of the 431 Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the fleet as of March 31, 2018 has been 
funded by financing in the form of loans supported by a loan guarantee from Ex-Im Bank (with respect to 153 aircraft), 
JOLCOs (16 aircraft) and commercial debt (6 aircraft). In addition, the Company has raised unsecured debt via capital 
market  bond  issuances.  The  Company  had  outstanding  cumulative  borrowings  under  the  above  facilities  of  €3,963.0 
million with a weighted average interest rate of 1.41% at March 31, 2018. 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, 2018. At March 31, 2018, the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements relating to this debt 
was represented by a loss of €6.7 million (gross of tax), as compared with a gain of €15.7 million at March 31, 2017. See 
Note 10 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 €2.6 million. 

Interest  rate  risk.  Based  on  the  levels  of  and  composition  of  year-end  interest  bearing  assets  and  liabilities, 
including  derivatives,  at  March  31,  2018,  a  plus  one-percentage-point  movement  in  interest  rates  would  result  in  a 
respective increase of €3.1 million (net of tax) in net interest income and expense in the income statement  and a minus 
one-percentage-point movement in interest rates would result in a respective increase of €15.4 million (net of tax) in net 
interest income and expense in the income statement (2017: €25.8 million; 2016: €29.3 million). 

141 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 issuances resulting from a distribution of 
common shares or rights or other property. 

  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 if securities distributed to the holder of 
ADSs had been shares and the shares had been 
deposited for issuance of ADSs. 

  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 Ryanair’s 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 transmissions (when expressly provided for 

in the deposit agreement). 

  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,  2017  to  June  30,  2018  the  Depositary  collected  annual  depositary  services  fees  equal  to 

approximately $1.7 million from holders of ADSs, net of fees paid to the Depositary by the Company. 

142 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies 

None. 

PART II 

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,  2018,  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, 2018, 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. 

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, 2018, based on the criteria established in the 2013 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, 2018. 

Our  independent  registered  public  accounting  firm,  KPMG,  has  issued  an  auditor’s  report  on  the  Company’s 

internal control over financial reporting, which is included in its entirety below. 

143 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during fiscal year 2018 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, 2018, 2017 and 2016:  

Audit fees 
Audit related fees 
Tax fees 
Total fees 

Year Ended March 31,  

      2018 

      2017 

      2016 

(millions) 

  € 
  € 
  € 
  € 

 0.4   €   0.4   €   0.4 
 0.1   €   0.0   €   0.0 
 0.2   €   0.5   €   0.3 
 0.7   €   0.9   €   0.7 

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. 

Audit related fees comprise fees for financial due diligence services. 

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. 

144 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

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 fiscal year 2018.  

Month / Period 

April 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017 
May 1, 2017 to May 31, 2017 
June 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017 
July 1, 2017 to July 31, 2017 
August 1, 2017 to August 31, 2017 
September 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017 
October 1, 2017 to October 31, 2017 
November 1, 2017 to November 30, 2017 
December 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 
January 1, 2018 to January 31, 2018 
February 1, 2018 to February 28, 2018 
March 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 
Total (Year-end) 
Post Year-end (b) 

  Total Number of 
  Ordinary Shares   
Purchased (a) 

  Average Price 
Paid Per 
  Ordinary Share 

(Millions) 

(€) 

 —   
 —   
 10.9   
 8.3   
 6.6   
 9.2   
 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   
 4.9   
 6.9   
 46.7   
20.1   

 — 
 — 
 18.65 
 18.21 
 18.45 
 17.65 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 16.27 
 16.22 
 17.75 
15.93 

(a)  The Ordinary Share purchases in the table above have 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. 

(b)  From April 1, 2018 to July 19, 2018 the Company bought back 20.1 million ordinary shares, at a total cost of €320.1 
million,  for  cancellation.  Cumulatively  these  buy-backs  are  equivalent  to  1.7%  of  the  issued  share  capital  of  the 
Company at March 31, 2018.  

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. 

145 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART III 

Item 17. Financial Statements 

Not applicable. 

Item 18. Financial Statements 

RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC 
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Page 

Consolidated Balance Sheet of Ryanair Holdings plc at March 31, 2018, March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 

147 

Consolidated Income Statement of Ryanair Holdings plc for the Years ended March 31, 2018, March 31, 2017 
and March 31, 2016 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income of Ryanair Holdings plc for the Years ended March 31, 2018, 
March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity of Ryanair Holdings plc for the Years ended March 
31, 2018, March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows of Ryanair Holdings plc for the Years ended March 31, 2018, March 31, 
2017 and March 31, 2016 

Notes 

148 

149 

150 

151 

152 

146 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-current assets 

Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Derivative financial instruments 

Total non-current assets 
Current assets 
Inventories 
Other assets 
Trade receivables 
Derivative financial instruments 
Restricted cash 
Financial assets: cash > 3 months 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total current assets 
Total assets 
Current liabilities 
Trade payables 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 
Current maturities of debt 
Current tax 
Derivative financial instruments 

Total current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 

Provisions 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deferred tax 
Other creditors 
Non-current maturities of debt 

Total non-current liabilities 
Shareholders’ equity 
Issued share capital 
Share premium account 
Other undenominated capital 
Retained earnings 
Other reserves 

Shareholders’ equity 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

Consolidated Balance Sheet 

                 At March 31,       At March 31,       At March 31,  

  Note  

2018 
€M 

2017 
€M 

2016 
€M 

 2  
 3  
 4  

 5  
 6  
 7  
 4  
 8  

 9  
 10  
 11  
 4  

 12  
 4  
 11  
 13  
 10  

 14  
 14  

 15  

 8,123.4  
 46.8  
 2.6  
 8,172.8  

 7,213.8  
 46.8  
 23.0  
 7,283.6  

 3.7  
 235.5  
 57.6  
 212.1  
 34.6  
 2,130.5  
 1,515.0  
 4,189.0  
 12,361.8  

 3.1  
 222.1  
 54.3  
 286.3  
 11.8  
 2,904.5  
 1,224.0  
 4,706.1  
 11,989.7  

 249.6  
 2,502.2  
 434.6  
 36.0  
 190.5  
 3,412.9  

 138.1  
 415.5  
 395.2  
 2.8  
 3,528.4  
 4,480.0  

 294.1  
 2,257.2  
 455.9  
 2.9  
 1.7  
 3,011.8  

 138.2  
 2.6  
 473.1  
 12.4  
 3,928.6  
 4,554.9  

 6,261.5 
 46.8 
 88.5 
 6,396.8 

 3.3 
 148.5 
 66.1 
 269.1 
 13.0 
 3,062.3 
 1,259.2 
 4,821.5 
 11,218.3 

 230.6 
 2,112.7 
 449.9 
 20.9 
 555.4 
 3,369.5 

 149.3 
 111.6 
 385.5 
 32.5 
 3,573.1 
 4,252.0 

 7.0  
 719.4  
 3.0  
 4,077.9  
 (338.4)  
 4,468.9  
 12,361.8  

 7.3  
 719.4  
 2.7  
 3,456.8  
 236.8  
 4,423.0  
 11,989.7  

 7.7 
 719.4 
 2.3 
 3,166.1 
 (298.7) 
 3,596.8 
 11,218.3 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 
July 20, 2018 

Michael O’Leary 
Chief Executive 

147 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
    
    
   
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Income Statement 

  Note  

Year 
ended  

Year 
ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2017 
€M 

Year 
ended  

2016 
€M 

2018 
€M 

Operating revenues 
Scheduled revenues 
Ancillary revenues 

Total operating revenues – continuing operations 
Operating expenses 

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

Total operating expenses 
Operating profit – continuing operations 
Other income/(expense) 

Gain on disposal of available for sale financial asset 
Finance expense 
Finance income 
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) 
Total other income/(expenses) 
Profit before tax 

Tax expense on profit 

Profit for the year – all attributable to equity holders of parent 

Basic earnings per ordinary share (€) 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (€) 
Number of ordinary shares (in Ms) 
Number of diluted shares (in Ms) 

 16  
 16  
 16  

 5,134.0  
 2,017.0  
 7,151.0  

 4,868.2  
 1,779.6  
 6,647.8  

 4,967.2 
 1,568.6 
 6,535.8 

 (1,902.8)  
 (938.6)  
 (738.5)  
 (701.8)  
 (561.0)  
 (410.4)  
 (148.3)  
 (82.3)  
 (5,483.7)  
 1,667.3  

 —  
 (60.1)  
 2.0  
 2.1  
 (56.0)  
 1,611.3  
 (161.1)  
 1,450.2  
 1.2151 
 1.2045 
 1,193.5 
 1,204.0 

 (1,913.4)  
 (864.8)  
 (633.0)  
 (655.7)  
 (497.5)  
 (322.3)  
 (141.0)  
 (86.1)  
 (5,113.8)  
 1,534.0  

 —  
 (67.2)  
 4.2  
 (0.7)  
 (63.7)  
 1,470.3  
 (154.4)  
 1,315.9  
   1.0530  
   1.0464  
   1,249.7  
   1,257.5  

 (2,071.4) 
 (830.6) 
 (585.4) 
 (622.9) 
 (427.3) 
 (292.7) 
 (130.3) 
 (115.1) 
 (5,075.7) 
 1,460.1 

 317.5 
 (71.1) 
 17.9 
 (2.5) 
 261.8 
 1,721.9 
 (162.8) 
 1,559.1 
 1.1626 
 1.1563 
 1,341.0 
 1,348.4 

 17  

 1  

 19  

 11  

 21  
 21  
 21  
 21  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 
July 20, 2018 

Michael O’Leary 
Chief Executive 

148 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
           
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
   
 
    
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
    
    
   
 
  
 
  
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income: 
Items that will never be reclassified to profit or loss: 

Net actuarial gain from retirement benefit plans 

Items that are or may 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 
Available for sale financial asset: 
Disposal of available-for-sale financial asset 

Total other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year, net of income tax 
Total comprehensive income for the year – all attributable to equity holders of parent  

     Year ended       Year ended       Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2017 
€M 

2018 
€M 

2016 
€M 
 1,559.1 

 1,450.2   

 1,315.9   

 —   
 —   

 —   
 —   

 0.4 
 0.4 

 (809.5)   
 108.4   
 119.5   
 (581.6)   

 —   
 (581.6)   
 (581.6)   
 868.6   

 927.1   
 109.7   
 (514.3)   
 522.5   

 —   
 522.5   
 522.5   
 1,838.4   

 365.7 
 (39.6) 
 (935.2) 
 (609.1) 

 (291.4) 
 (900.5) 
 (900.1) 
 659.0 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 
July 20, 2018 

Michael O’Leary 
Chief Executive 

149 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
     
     
   
  
     
     
   
  
 
  
  
     
     
   
  
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
   
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity 

  Ordinary   

      Issued 
  Share 

Share 
  Premium 

  Retained 

  Other Reserves 

Other 

        Shares        Capital       Account        Earnings       

      Treasury       Hedging 

Other 
  Undenominated   
Capital 
€M 

Balance at March 31, 2015 
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 financial 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 capital reorganisation 
Share-based payments 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares 
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary shares 
Treasury shares cancelled 
Dividend paid 
Transfer of exercised and expired share-based awards 
Balance at March 31, 2016 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income 
Net movements in cash-flow reserve 
Total other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income 
Transactions with owners of the Company, recognised directly in equity 
Share-based payments 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares 
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary shares 
Treasury shares cancelled 
Balance at March 31, 2017 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income 
Net movements in cash-flow reserve 
Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 
Total comprehensive income 
Transactions with owners of the Company, recognised directly in equity 
Share-based payments 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares 
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary shares 
Balance at March 31, 2018 

  M 
      1,377.7 
 — 

€M 
 8.7   
 — 

€M 
 718.6   
 — 

€M 

 2,706.2   
 1,559.1 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 

 0.3 
 (33.8)     
 — 
 — 
 (53.2)     
 (0.3)     

 — 
 — 
      1,290.7 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 (72.3)     
 (0.5)     

      1,217.9 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 (46.7)     

      1,171.2 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 (0.7) 
 — 
 — 
 (0.3) 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 7.7 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 (0.4) 
 — 
 7.3 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 (0.3) 
 7.0 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 

 0.8 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 719.4 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 719.4 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 719.4 

 0.4 
 — 
 — 
 0.4 
 1,559.5 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 (698.8) 
 — 
 (3.2) 
 (397.9) 
 0.3 
 3,166.1 
 1,315.9 

 — 
 — 
 1,315.9 

 — 
 (1,017.9) 
 — 
 (7.3) 
 3,456.8 
 1,450.2 

 — 
 — 
 1,450.2 

 — 
 (829.1) 
 — 
 4,077.9 

 1.3 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 0.7 
 — 
 — 
 0.3 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 2.3 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 0.4 
 — 
 2.7 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 0.3 
 3.0 

€M 
 (3.2)   
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 (7.3) 
 — 
 3.2 
 — 
 — 
 (7.3) 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 7.3 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 

€M 

 308.5   
 — 

      Reserves         Total 
€M 
 4,035.1 
     1,559.1 

€M 
 295.0 
 — 

 — 
 (609.1) 
 — 
 (609.1) 
 (609.1) 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 (300.6) 
 — 

 522.5 
 522.5 
 522.5 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 221.9 
 — 

 (581.6) 
 (581.6) 
 (581.6) 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 (359.7) 

 — 
 — 
 (291.4)     
 (291.4)     
 (291.4)     

 0.4 
 (609.1) 
 (291.4) 
 (900.1) 
 659.0 

 — 
 — 
 5.9 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 (0.3)     
 9.2 
 — 

 0.8 
 — 
 5.9 
 (706.1) 
 — 
 — 
     (397.9) 
 — 
     3,596.8 
     1,315.9 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 522.5 
 522.5 
     1,838.4 

 5.7 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 14.9 
 — 

 5.7 
    (1,017.9) 
 — 
 — 
     4,423.0 
     1,450.2 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 (581.6) 
 (581.6) 
 868.6 

 6.4 
 — 
 — 
 21.3 

 6.4 
 (829.1) 
 — 
     4,468.9 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

150 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
       
 
     
 
     
 
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
     
 
  
 
  
   
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
     
 
  
 
  
 
  
     
 
  
 
  
     
 
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
     
 
  
 
  
 
  
     
 
  
 
  
     
 
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Note    Year ended       Year ended       Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2017 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2018 
€M 

Operating activities 

Profit after tax 
Adjustments to reconcile profit after tax to net cash provided by 
operating activities 
Depreciation 
Retirement costs 
(Increase)/decrease in inventories  
Tax expense on profit 
Share-based payments 
(Increase)/decrease in trade receivables 
(Increase) in other current assets 
(Decrease)/increase in trade payables 
Increase in accrued expenses 
(Decrease) in other creditors 
(Decrease) in provisions 
Gain on disposal of available for sale financial asset 
Decrease in finance income 
Increase/(decrease) in finance expense 
Income tax paid 

Net cash provided by operating activities 
Investing activities 

Capital expenditure (purchase of property, plant and equipment) 
Disposal of available for sale asset 
(Increase)/decrease in restricted cash 
Decrease in financial assets: cash > 3 months 

Net cash (used in) investing activities 
Financing activities 

Net proceeds from shares issued 
Shareholder returns 
Proceeds from long term borrowings 
Repayments of long term borrowings 

Net cash (used in) by financing activities 
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

 1,450.2  

 1,315.9  

 1,559.1 

 561.0  
 —  
 (0.6)  
 161.1  
 6.4  
 (3.3)  
  (14.1)  
 (44.5)  
 241.1  
 (9.6)  
 (0.1)  
 —  
 0.7  
 3.8  
 (118.9)  
 2,233.2  

 497.5  
 —  
 0.2  
 154.4  
 5.7  
 11.8  
 (76.0)  
 63.5  
 144.7  
 (20.1)  
 (11.0)  
 —  
 2.4  
 (0.2)  
 (161.6)  
 1,927.2  

 427.3 
 0.2 
 (1.2) 
 162.8 
 5.9 
 (6.0) 
 (11.2) 
 34.1 
 175.0 
 (23.3) 
 (31.8) 
 (317.5) 
 1.4 
 (1.0) 
 (127.5) 
 1,846.3 

   (1,470.6)  
 —  
 (22.8)  
 774.0  
 (719.4)  

 (1,449.8)  
 —  
 1.2  
 157.8  
 (1,290.8)  

 (1,217.7) 
 398.1 
 (6.3) 
 542.3 
 (283.6) 

 —  
 (829.1)  
 65.2  
 (458.9)  
23    (1,222.8)  
 291.0  
 1,224.0  
 1,515.0  

 —  
 (1,017.9)  
 793.4  
 (447.1)  
 (671.6)  
 (35.2)  
 1,259.2  
 1,224.0  

 0.8 
 (1,104.0) 
 — 
 (384.9) 
 (1,488.1) 
 74.6 
 1,184.6 
 1,259.2 

Included in the cash flows from operating activities for the year are 
the following amounts: 

Interest income received 
Interest expense paid 

 2.9  
(56.1)  

 6.6  
(69.5)  

 19.3 
(70.9) 

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 fiscal year 
2018 are set out below. These have been applied consistently for all periods presented, except as otherwise stated. 

Business activity 

Ryanair  DAC  and  its  subsidiaries  (“Ryanair  DAC”)  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 DAC. 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 DAC.  

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, 
2018.    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 Act 2014.  

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, have been issued by the IASB, and have also been endorsed 
by the EU. These standards are effective for the first time for the financial year beginning on or after January 1, 
2017 and therefore have been applied by the Group for the first time in these consolidated financial statements;  

•  Amendments to IAS 7: “Disclosure Initiative” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 

1, 2017) 

•  Amendments to IAS 12: “Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses” (effective for fiscal 

periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017) 

•  Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2014-2016 Cycle: “Amendments to IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in 

Other Entities” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017) 

The adoption of these new or amended standards did not have a material impact on our financial position 

or results from operations in the year ended March 31, 2018. 

152 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 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,  2018,  Ryanair  had  €8.1  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  program,  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. 

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.  

153 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

Basis of consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of Ryanair Holdings plc and its 
subsidiary undertakings as of March 31, 2018. 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.  

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of qualifying assets, which are 
assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use, are capitalised, until 
such time until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use. Investment income earned on 
the temporary investment of specific borrowings pending their expenditure on qualifying assets is deducted from 
the borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation.  

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 

154 

Rate of 
Depreciation   

 5 % 
20-33.3 % 
 20 % 
 33.3 % 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2018 
400 (a) 

Useful Life 

Residual Value 

  23 years from date of    15% of current market value of new 

manufacture 

   aircraft, determined periodically 

(a)  The Company operated 431 aircraft as of March 31, 2018, of which 31 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. 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. 

155 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

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. 

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.  The  credit  quality  of  Ryanair  and  counterparties  are  considered  in  setting  fair  value.  
Recognition of any resultant gain or loss depends on the nature of the item being hedged. 

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. 

156 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 but less than one year 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. 

157 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  split  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 hotel, travel insurance 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,  the  gain  on  disposal  of 
and/or 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. 

158 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

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. 

Retirement benefit 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. 

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. 

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, retirement benefit 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. 

159 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.  

Dividend distributions are recognised as a liability in the period in which the dividends are approved by 

the Company’s shareholders. 

Prospective accounting changes, new standards and interpretations not yet adopted 

The  following  new  or  revised  IFRS  standards  and  IFRIC  interpretations  will  be  adopted  for  the 
purposes  of  the  preparation  of  future  financial  statements,  where  applicable.  Those  that  are  not  as  yet  EU 
endorsed are flagged. More detailed transitional impacts for IFRS 15, IFRS 9 and IFRS 16 are included below. 
While  under  review,  we  do  not  anticipate  that  the  adoption  of  the  other  new  or  revised  standards  and 
interpretations will have a material impact on our financial position or results from operations. 

• 

IFRS 15: “Revenue from Contracts with Customers including Amendments to IFRS 15” (effective for 
fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018) 

• 

IFRS 9: “Financial Instruments” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018) 

•  Clarifications  to  IFRS  15:  “Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers”  (effective  for  fiscal  periods 

beginning on or after January 1, 2018) 

•  Amendments  to  IFRS  2:  ”Classification  and  Measurement  of  Share-based  Payment  Transactions” 

(effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018) 

•  Amendments to IFRS 4: Applying IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” with IFRS 4: “Insurance Contracts” 

(effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018) 

•  Annual  Improvements  to  IFRS  2014-2016  Cycle  (effective  for  fiscal  periods  beginning  on  or  after 

January 1, 2018) 

160 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
• 

IFRIC  Interpretation  22:  “Foreign  Currency  Transactions  and  Advance  Consideration”  (effective  for 
fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018) 

• 

IFRS 16: “Leases” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019) 

•  Amendments to IAS 40: “Transfers of Investment Property” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or 

after January 1, 2018) 

• 

IFRIC 23: “Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2019)* 

•  Amendments  to  IFRS  9:  “Prepayment  Features  with  Negative  Compensation”  (effective  for  fiscal 

periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019) 

•  Amendments  to  IAS  28:  “Long-term  interests  in  Associates  and  Joint  Ventures”  (effective  for  fiscal 

periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019)* 

•  Annual improvements to IFRS Standards 2015-2017 Cycle (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or 

after January 1, 2019)* 

•  Amendments  to  IAS  19:  “Plan  Amendment,  Curtailment  or  Settlement”  (effective  for  fiscal  periods 

beginning on or after January 1, 2019)* 

•  Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards (effective for fiscal periods 

beginning on or after January 1, 2020)* 

• 

IFRS 17: “Insurance Contracts” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2021)* 

* These standards or amendments to standards are not as yet EU endorsed. 

IFRS 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers 

IFRS 15 is effective for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018.  The standard establishes a five-
step model to determine when to recognise revenue and at what amount.  Revenue is recognised when the good 
or service has been transferred to the customer and at the amount to which the entity expects to be entitled.  

Ryanair has reviewed the impact of applying IFRS 15 on all of its revenue streams.  For the majority of 
our revenue, the manner in which we currently recognise revenue is consistent with the requirements of IFRS 15.  
For certain ancillary revenue streams however, the recognition of revenue will be deferred under IFRS 15 to the 
flight date where it is currently recognised on the date of booking.  

This change in the timing of revenue recognition will mean that an increased amount of revenue will be 

recognised in the second half of the year under IFRS 15. 

Ryanair will apply the standard using the cumulative effect method.  On adoption of the standard, the 
adjustment to retained earnings at April 1, 2018 was a reduction of €274.5 million.  There will be a corresponding 
increase in deferred revenue within liabilities. 

161 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IFRS 9: Financial Instruments 

IFRS 9 is effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018.  The standard introduces a 
new model for the classification and measurement of financial assets, a new impairment model based on expected 
credit losses and a new hedge accounting model to more closely align hedge accounting with risk management 
strategy and objectives. This standard replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. 

Financial assets, excluding derivatives, will be accounted for at amortised cost, fair value through other 
comprehensive income or fair value through profit or loss depending on the nature of the contractual cash flows 
of the asset and the business model in which it is held.  Ryanair has completed a review of its financial assets and 
is satisfied that all of them will continue to be held at amortised cost.  No material transition adjustment to carrying 
values is anticipated.  

Ryanair has reviewed the impact of applying the new impairment model to its financial assets.  There 

will not be a material increase in provisions as a result of applying the new requirements.  

Ryanair does not expect any change from the hedge accounting provisions of IFRS 9.  

IFRS 16: Leases 

IFRS 16 introduces a single, on-balance sheet, lease accounting model for lessees.  A lessee recognises 
a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset and a lease liability representing its obligation 
to make lease payments. There are optional exemptions for short-term leases and leases of low value items. 

The standard is effective for Annual Report periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. Early adoption 
is permitted for entities that apply IFRS 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers at or before the date of initial 
application of IFRS 16. Ryanair does not intend to early adopt IFRS 16. 

We are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated financial 

statements and related disclosures but do not expect the impact to be material. 

162 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.           Property, plant and equipment 

  Aircraft 

€M 

     Hangar and      Plant and      Fixtures and       Motor       
  Buildings 

  Equipment   
€M 

Fittings 
€M 

  Vehicles   
€M 

Total 
€M 

Year ended March 31, 2018 
Cost 

At March 31, 2017 
Additions in year 
Disposals in year 
At March 31, 2018 

Depreciation 

At March 31, 2017 
Charge for year 
Eliminated on disposal 
At March 31, 2018 

Net book value 

At March 31, 2018 

Year ended March 31, 2017 
Cost 

At March 31, 2016 
Additions in year 
Disposals in year 
At March 31, 2017 

Depreciation 

At March 31, 2016 
Charge for year 
Eliminated on disposal 
At March 31, 2017 

Net book value 

At March 31, 2017 

Year ended March 31, 2016 
Cost 

At March 31, 2015 
Additions in year 
Disposals in year 
At March 31, 2016 

Depreciation 

At March 31, 2015 
Charge for year 
Eliminated on disposal 
At March 31, 2016 

Net book value 

At March 31, 2016 

€M 

 77.8  
 7.6  
 (2.7)  
 82.7  

 28.6  
 3.6  
 (2.7)  
 29.5  

€M 

 70.8  
 7.0  
 —  
 77.8  

 25.1  
 3.5  
 —  
 28.6  

 10,045.2  
 1,452.7  
 (194.4)  
 11,303.5  

 2,898.7  
 547.0  
 (194.4)  
 3,251.3  

 8,666.4  
 1,432.0  
 (53.2)  
 10,045.2  

 2,467.7  
 484.2  
 (53.2)  
 2,898.7  

 36.7  
 4.0  
 —  
 40.7  

 29.6  
 3.3  
 —  
 32.9  

 56.7  
 6.0  
 —  
 62.7  

 46.7  
 6.6  
 —  
 53.3  

 4.0  
 0.3  
 —  
 4.3  

 10,220.4 
 1,470.6 
 (197.1) 
 11,493.9 

 3.0  
 0.5  
 —  
 3.5  

 3,006.6 
 561.0 
 (197.1) 
 3,370.5 

 32.4  
 4.3  
 —  
 36.7  

 26.7  
 2.9  
 —  
 29.6  

 50.6  
 6.1  
 —  
 56.7  

 40.2  
 6.5  
 —  
 46.7  

 3.6  
 0.4  
 —  
 4.0  

 8,823.8 
 1,449.8 
 (53.2) 
 10,220.4 

 2.6  
 0.4  
 —  
 3.0  

 2,562.3 
 497.5 
 (53.2) 
 3,006.6 

 8,052.2  

 53.2  

 7.8  

 9.4  

 0.8  

 8,123.4 

  Aircraft 

€M 

     Hangar and      Plant and      Fixtures and       Motor       
  Buildings 

  Equipment   
€M 

Fittings 
€M 

  Vehicles   
€M 

Total 
€M 

 7,146.5  

 49.2  

 7.1  

 10.0  

 1.0  

 7,213.8 

  Aircraft 
€M 

     Hangar and      Plant and      Fixtures and       Motor       
  Buildings 

  Equipment   
€M 

Fittings 
€M 

  Vehicles    Total 
€M 

€M 

€M 

 67.4  
 3.4  
 —  
 70.8  

 21.7  
 3.4  
 —  
 25.1  

 7,538.1  
 1,203.8  
 (75.5)  
 8,666.4  

 2,127.7  
 415.5  
 (75.5)  
 2,467.7  

 29.5  
 2.9  
 —  
 32.4  

 24.0  
 2.7  
 —  
 26.7  

 44.1  
 6.5  
 —  
 50.6  

 34.8  
 5.4  
 —  
 40.2  

 2.5  
 1.1  
 —  
 3.6  

 7,681.6 
 1,217.7 
 (75.5) 
 8,823.8 

 2.3  
 0.3  
 —  
 2.6  

 2,210.5 
 427.3 
 (75.5) 
 2,562.3 

 6,198.7  

 45.7  

 5.7  

 10.4  

 1.0  

 6,261.5 

163 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
At March 31, 2018, aircraft with a net book value of  €2,934.9 million (2017: €3,442.4 million; 2016: 
€3,570.9  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, 2018, the cost and net book value of aircraft included advance payments on aircraft of 
€558.4 million (2017: €687.0 million; 2016: €687.1 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, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was  €267.2 

million, €362.8 million, and €452.7 million respectively.  

During the fiscal year 2018, €3.1 million (2017: €1.4 million; 2016: €9.4 million) of borrowing costs 
were capitalized as part of property, plant and equipment.   Borrowing costs have been capitalized at a rate of 
1.125% (2017: 1.125%; 2016: 1.482%). 

3.           Intangible assets 

Landing rights 

At March 31,  

      2018        2017        2016 
€M 
 46.8 

€M    
    46.8     46.8   

€M    

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 6% for 2018, 4% for 2017 and 4% for 2016. 

4.           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 July 
19, 2018, the Company had hedged approximately 90% (2017: 90%, 2016: 95%) of its estimated fuel exposure 
for the next fiscal year and approximately 19% of its estimated fuel exposure for the fiscal year 2020. 

164 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. Additional numerical information on these swaps and on other derivatives held by the 
Company is set out below and in Note 10 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.  

Derivative  financial  instruments,  all  of  which  have  been  recognised  at  fair  value  in  the  Company’s 

balance sheet, are analysed as follows: 

Non-current assets 
Gains on cash-flow hedging instruments – maturing after one year 

Current assets 
Gains on cash flow hedging instruments – maturing within one year 

Total derivative assets 
Current liabilities 
Losses on cash flow hedging instruments – maturing within one year 

Non-current liabilities 
Losses on cash flow hedging instruments – maturing after one year 

Total derivative liabilities 
Net derivative financial instrument position at year-end 

All of the above gains and losses were unrealised at the period-end. 

      2018 
€M 

At March 31,  
      2017 
€M 

      2016 
€M 

 2.6   
 2.6   

 23.0   
 23.0   

 88.5 
 88.5 

 212.1     286.3   
 212.1     286.3   
 214.7     309.3   

 269.1 
 269.1 
 357.6 

    (190.5)   
    (190.5)   

 (1.7)     (555.4) 
 (1.7)     (555.4) 

 (2.6)     (111.6) 
    (415.5)   
 (2.6)     (111.6) 
    (415.5)   
    (606.0)   
 (4.3)     (667.0) 
    (391.3)     305.0     (309.4) 

165 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
     
     
   
  
 
  
  
     
     
   
  
 
  
  
  
     
     
   
 
  
     
     
   
 
 
 
 
The table above includes the following derivative arrangements: 

Interest rate swaps (b) 
Less than one year (c) 
Between one and five years 
After five years 

Foreign currency forward contracts (b) 
Less than one year 
Between one and five years 
After five years 

Commodity forward contracts (d) 
Less than one year 
Between one and five years 

Net derivative position at year end 

     Fair value      Fair value      Fair value 
  2016 (a)  
  2017 (a)  
€M 
€M 

  2018 (a)  
€M 

 (0.7)  
 (6.0)  
 —  
 (6.7)  

 (187.4)  
 (407.0)  
 —  
 (594.4)  

 209.8  
 —  
 209.8  
 (391.3)  

 1.6  
 6.3  
 —  
 7.9  

 224.8  
 11.9  
 2.2  
 238.9  

 58.2  
 —  
 58.2  
 305.0  

 (10.4) 
 (0.5) 
 2.7 
 (8.2) 

 266.6 
 28.7 
 — 
 295.3 

 (542.6) 
 (53.9) 
 (596.5) 
 (309.4) 

(a)  The derivative arrangements in the above table have been netted for disclosure purposes only.  The amounts 

included on the Balance Sheet are gross amounts. 

(b)  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 10 to the consolidated financial 
statements. 

(c)  €1.0 million interest rate swap financial liabilities falling due within one year, is net of €0.3 million derivative 
financial assets, falling due within one year, in respect of cross currency interest rate swaps (see Note 10 to 
the consolidated financial statements).   

(d)  €209.8 million commodity forward contracts relate solely to jet fuel derivative financial assets (see Note 10 

of the consolidated financial statements).    

The Company enters in to derivative transactions with a number of different counterparties with which 
there are International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) master agreements in place. As the Company 
does not intend to settle derivatives net, nor is any collateral posted for derivative transactions, no netting has been 
applied to the derivative balances. Of the Company’s total derivative assets of €214.7 million, €25.1 million are 
available for offset against derivative liabilities under master netting arrangements. 

Interest rate swaps are primarily used to convert a portion of the Company’s floating rate exposures on 
borrowings 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  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. 

166 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. Ryanair recognises the cost associated with the purchase of carbon credits as part of the EU ETS as an 
expense in the income statement. This expense is recognised in line with fuel consumed during the fiscal year as 
the Company’s carbon emissions and fuel consumption are directly linked. 

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.  

167 

 
 
 
 
 
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:  

Commodity forward contracts 
Reclassification adjustments for (gains)/losses recognised in fuel and oil operating 
expenses, net of tax 
Interest rate swaps 
Reclassification adjustments for (gains)/losses recognised in finance expense, net 
of tax 
Foreign currency forward contracts 
Reclassification adjustments for (gains) recognised in fuel and oil operating 
expenses, net of tax 

Year ended March 31,  

      2018 
€M 

      2017 
€M 

      2016 
€M 

    117.8     (504.6)     (891.4) 

 2.3   

 1.1   

 (15.4) 

 (0.5)   

 (28.4) 
    119.6     (514.3)     (935.2) 

 (10.8)   

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,  

      2018 
€M 

      2017 
€M 

      2016 
€M 

    108.4     109.7     (39.6) 
    108.4     109.7     (39.6) 

168 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
     
     
   
  
     
     
   
  
  
     
     
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
     
     
   
 
 
The  following  tables  indicate  the  periods  in  which  cash  flows  associated  with  derivatives  that  are 
designated as cash-flow hedges were expected to occur and to impact on profit or loss, as of March 31, 2018, 
2017 and 2016: 

     Expected     

    Net 
  Carrying    Cash 
     Amount       Flows        2019 
€M 

€M 

€M 

      2020 
€M 

      2021        2022 
€M 

  €M   

     Thereafter 
€M 

At March 31, 2018 
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 

 (6.7) 
 (181.4) 

 (6.7) 
  (181.4) 

 (0.7) 
  (153.4) 

 (0.2) 
   (28.4) 

   (0.6) 
 0.4 

 (1.0) 
 — 

 (4.2) 
 — 

 (413.0) 
 209.8 
 (391.3) 

  (413.0) 
   209.8 
  (391.3) 

   (34.0) 
 — 
  (188.1) 

   (75.5) 
 — 
  (104.1) 

  (82.9) 
 — 
  (83.1) 

   (99.7) 
 — 
  (100.7) 

   (120.9) 
 — 
   (125.1) 

     Expected      

      Net 
  Carrying    Cash 
  Amount    Flows 

€M 

€M 

  2018 
€M 

  2019 
€M   

  2020 

  €M   

2021 
€M 

  Thereafter 
€M 

At March 31, 2017 
Interest rate swaps 
U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
Commodity forward contracts 

At March 31, 2016 
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 

 7.9 
 238.9 
 58.2 
 305.0 

 7.5 
  238.9 
 58.2 
  304.6 

 1.5 
  224.8 
   58.2 
  284.5 

   0.2 
   6.4 
   — 
   6.6 

   1.9 
   2.9 
 — 
   4.8 

   1.5 
   1.7 
 — 
   3.2 

 2.4 
 3.1 
 — 
 5.5 

     Expected      

      Net 
  Carrying    Cash 
  Amount    Flows 

€M 

€M 

2017 
€M 

  2018 
€M 

  2019 
  €M   

  2020 
€M   

  Thereafter 
€M 

 (8.2) 
 44.9 

 26.2 
 54.7 

 (2.1) 
 86.3 

 4.0 
  (37.1) 

   2.8 
   2.3 

   3.8 
   2.0 

 17.7 
 1.2 

 250.4 
 (596.5) 
 (309.4)  

   241.7 
  (596.5) 
 (273.9)  

   180.3 
  (542.5) 
 (278.0)  

  61.4 
  (54.0) 
 (25.7)  

   — 
   — 
 5.1  

   — 
   — 
 5.8  

 — 
 — 
 18.9 

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. 

5.           Inventories 

Consumables 

      2018 
€M 
 3.7   

At March 31,  
      2017 
€M 
 3.1   

      2016 
€M 
 3.3 

In  the  view  of  management,  there  are  no  material  differences  between  the  net  realisable  value  of 

inventories and the balance sheet amounts. 

169 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
6.           Other assets  

Prepayments 
Interest receivable 

All amounts fall due within one year. 

7.           Trade receivables 

Trade receivables 
Allowance for impairment 

All amounts fall due within one year. 

      2018 
€M 

At March 31,  
      2017 
€M 

      2016 
€M 

    235.2     221.1     145.1 
 3.4 
    235.5     222.1     148.5 

 1.0   

 0.3   

      2018 
€M 
 57.7   
 (0.1)   
 57.6   

At March 31,  
      2017 
€M 
 54.4   
 (0.1)   
 54.3   

      2016 
€M 
 66.2 
 (0.1) 
 66.1 

There has been no change to the allowance for impairment during the year (2017: Nil; 2016: Nil).  There 

were no bad debt write-offs in the year (2017: Nil; 2016: Nil). 

No individual customer accounted for more than 10% of our accounts receivable at March 31, 2018, at 

March 31, 2017 or at March 31, 2016. 

At March 31, 2018, €0.8 million (2017: €0.8 million; 2016: €0.6 million) of our total accounts receivable 
balance were past due, of which €0.2 million (2017: €0.2 million; 2016: €0.1 million) was impaired and provided 
for and €0.6 million (2017: €0.6 million; 2016: €0.5 million) was considered past due but not impaired. 

170 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.           Restricted cash 

Restricted cash consists of €34.6 million (2017: €11.8 million; 2016: €13.0 million) placed in escrow 

accounts for certain legal cases and appeals (which accounts for the majority of the balance). 

9.         Accrued expenses and other liabilities 

Accruals 
Indirect tax and duties 
Unearned revenue 

Indirect tax and duties comprises: 

PAYE (payroll taxes) 
Other tax (principally air passenger duty in various countries) 

At March 31,  
      2017 
€M 
 348.0   
 576.4   

      2018 
€M 
 445.5   
 648.4   

      2016 
€M 
 422.8 
 516.0 
    1,408.3     1,332.8     1,173.9 
    2,502.2     2,257.2     2,112.7 

At March 31,  
      2017 
€M 
 9.5   

      2018 
€M 
 15.7   

      2016 
€M 
 12.9 
    632.7     566.9     503.1 
    648.4     576.4     516.0 

10.         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 4 to the consolidated financial statements. 

171 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
(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, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows: 

At March 31, 2018 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Financial asset: cash > 3 months 
Restricted cash 
Derivative financial instruments: 
- U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
- Interest rate swaps 
- Jet fuel derivative contracts 
Trade receivables 
Other assets 
Total financial assets at March 31, 2018 

At March 31, 2017 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Financial asset: cash > 3 months 
Restricted cash 
Derivative financial instruments: 
- U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
- Interest rate swaps 
- Jet fuel derivative contracts 
Trade receivables 
Other assets 
Total financial assets at March 31, 2017 

At March 31, 2016 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Financial asset: cash > 3 months 
Restricted cash 
Derivative financial instruments: 
- U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
- Interest rate swaps 
- Jet fuel derivative contracts 
Trade receivables 
Other assets 
Total financial assets at March 31, 2016 

  Loans and  
  Receivables  
€M 

Cash- 
Flow 
 Hedges   
€M 

Total 

  Carrying   Total Fair 

Value 
€M 

Value 
€M 

 1,515.0   
 2,130.5   
 34.6   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 57.6   
 0.3   
 3,738.0   

 —     1,515.0   
 —     2,130.5   
 34.6   
 —   

 — 
 — 
 — 

 4.6   
 0.3   
 209.8   
 —   
 —   

 4.6   
 0.3   
 209.8   
 57.6   
 0.3   
 214.7     3,952.7   

 4.6 
 0.3 
 209.8 
 — 
 — 
 214.7 

  Loans and  
  Receivables  
€M 

Cash-   
Flow 
 Hedges   

      €M 

Total 

  Carrying   Total Fair 

Value 
€M 

Value 
€M 

 1,224.0   
 2,904.5   
 11.8   

 —     1,224.0   
 —     2,904.5   
 11.8   
 —   

 — 
 — 
 — 

 —   
 —   
 —   
 54.3   
 1.0   
 4,195.6   

 239.4   
 11.7   
 58.2   
 —   
 —   

 309.3 

 239.4   
 11.7   
 58.2   
 54.3   
 1.0   
  4,504.9   

 239.4 
 11.7 
 58.2 
 — 
 — 
 309.3 

Cash- 
Flow 

  Loans and  
   Receivables    Hedges    

€M 

€M 

Total 

  Carrying   Total Fair 

Value 
€M 

   Value 

€M 

 1,259.2   
 3,062.3   
 13.0   

 —     1,259.2   
 —     3,062.3   
 13.0   
 —   

 — 
 — 
 — 

 —   
 —   
 —   
 66.1   
 3.4   
 4,404.0   

 346.4   
 8.0   
 3.2   
 —   
 —   

 346.4   
 8.0   
 3.2   
 66.1   
 3.4   
 357.6     4,761.6   

 346.4 
 8.0 
 3.2 
 — 
 — 
 357.6 

172 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
The Company has not disclosed the fair value of the financial instruments: cash and cash equivalents, 
financial assets: cash > 3 months with maturities less than 1 year, 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. 

The carrying values and fair values of the Company’s financial liabilities by class and category were as 

follows: 

Liabilities 
at 

Total 

  Amortised  
Cost 

Cash-
Flow 
  Hedges   

  Carrying  
Value 

Total Fai
r 
Value 

At March 31, 2018 

Current and non-current maturities of debt 
Derivative financial instruments: 

-U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
-Jet fuel derivative contracts 
-Interest rate swaps 

Trade payables 
Accrued expenses 

€M 

€M 

€M 

€M 

 3,963.0   

 —   

3,963.0   

4,061.0 

 —   
 —   
 —   
 249.6   
 445.5   

 599.0   
 —   
 7.0   
 —   
 —   

 599.0   
 —   
 7.0   
 249.6   
 445.5   

 599.0 
 — 
 7.0 
 — 
 — 

Total financial liabilities at March 31, 2018 

 4,658.1   

 606.0   

5,264.1   

4,667.0 

At March 31, 2017 

Current and non-current maturities of debt 
Derivative financial instruments: 

-U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
-Jet fuel derivative contracts 
-Interest rate swaps 

Trade payables 
Accrued expenses 

 4,384.5   

 —   

4,384.5   

4,474.4 

 —   
 —   
 —   
 294.1   
 348.0   

 0.5   
 —   
 3.8   
—   
—   

 0.5   
 —   
 3.8   
 294.1   
 348.0   

 0.5 
 — 
 3.8 
  — 
— 

Total financial liabilities at March 31, 2017 

 5,026.6   

 4.3   

5,030.9   

4,478.7 

At March 31, 2016 

Current and non-current maturities of debt 
Derivative financial instruments: 

-GBP currency forward contracts 
-Jet fuel derivative contracts 
-Interest rate swaps 

Trade payables 
Accrued expenses 

 4,023.0   

—   

4,023.0   

4,115.1 

—   
—   
—   
 230.6   
 422.8   

 51.1   
 599.7   
 16.2   
—   
—   

 51.1   
 599.7   
 16.2   
 230.6   
 422.8   

 51.1 
 599.7 
 16.2 
— 
— 

Total financial liabilities at March 31, 2016 

 4,676.4   

 667.0   

5,343.4   

4,782.1 

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. 

173 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
   
  
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
   
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
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 fair 
value, taking into account current market inputs and rates. The Company’s credit risk and counterparty’s credit 
risk is taken into account when establishing fair value. (Level 2) 

Derivatives – currency forwards and aircraft fuel contracts: A comparison of the contracted rate to 
the  market rate for contracts providing a similar risk profile at March 31, 2018 has been used to establish fair 
value. The Company’s credit risk and counterparty’s credit risk is taken into account when establishing 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, 2018 that affect the fair value of the Company’s Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. 

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. 

174 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At March 31, 2018 
Assets measured at fair value 
Cash-flow hedges – U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – jet fuel derivative contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – interest rate swaps 

Liabilities measured at fair value 
Cash-flow hedges – U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – jet fuel derivative contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – interest rate swaps 

Liabilities not measured at fair value 
Long-term debt 

  Level 1  
      €M 

Level 2    Level 3  

€M 

      €M 

Total 
€M 

 —   
 —   
   —   
 —   

 4.6   
 209.8   
 0.3   
 214.7   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 599.0   
 —   
 7.0   
 606.0   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 4.6 
 209.8 
 0.3 
 214.7 

 599.0 
 — 
 7.0 
 606.0 

 —     4,061.0   
 —     4,881.7   

 —     4,061.0 
 —     4,881.7 

During the year ended March 31, 2018, 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. 

At March 31, 2017 
Assets measured at fair value 
Cash-flow hedges – U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – jet fuel derivative contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – interest rate swaps 

Liabilities measured at fair value 
Cash-flow hedges – U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – jet fuel derivative contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – interest rate swaps 

Liabilities not measured at fair value 
Long-term debt 

  Level 1  
      €M 

Level 2    Level 3  

€M 

      €M 

Total 
€M 

   —   
   —   
   —   
 —   

 239.3    —   
 58.2    —   
 11.8    —   
 —   
 309.3   

 239.3 
 58.2 
 11.8 
 309.3 

   —   
   —   
   —   
 —   

 0.5    —   
 —    —   
 3.8    —   
 —   
 4.3   

 0.5 
 — 
 3.8 
 4.3 

   —     4,474.4    —     4,474.4 
 4,788.0 

 —     4,788.0   

 —  

During the year ended March 31, 2017, 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 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
At March 31, 2016 
Assets measured at fair value 
Cash-flow hedges – U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – jet fuel derivative contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – interest rate swaps 

Liabilities measured at fair value 
Cash-flow hedges – GBP currency forward contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – jet fuel derivative contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – interest rate swaps 

Liabilities not measured at fair value 
Long-term debt 

  Level 1  
      €M 

Level 2    Level 3  

€M 

      €M 

Total 
€M 

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 346.4    —   
 3.2    —   
 8.0    —   
 —   

 357.6   

 51.1    —   
 599.7    —   
 16.2    —   
 —   
 667.0   

 346.4 
 3.2 
 8.0 
 357.6 

 51.1 
 599.7 
 16.2 
 667.0 

 —     4,115.1    —     4,115.1 
 —     5,139.7 
 —     5,139.7   

During the year ended March 31, 2016, 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. 

(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 arrangements in place: 

Jet fuel forward contracts – fair value 

At March 31,  
2017   

2018   

      €M 

2016 
€M 

      €M 
    209.8   
    209.8   

 58.2     (596.5) 
 58.2     (596.5) 

All  of  the  above  commodity  contracts  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,  2018,  the  Company  had  total  borrowings  of  €3,963.0  million  (2017:  €4,384.5  million; 
2016:  €4,023.0  million)  from  various  financial  institutions  and  the  debt  capital  markets.  Financing  for  the 
acquisition of 153 Boeing 737-800 “next generation” aircraft (2017: 174; 2016: 194) was provided on the basis 
of guarantees granted by the Export-Import Bank of the United States. The guarantees are secured with a first 
fixed mortgage on the delivered aircraft. The remaining long-term debt relates to three unsecured Eurobonds, two 
for €850 million and one for €750 million, 16 aircraft held under finance leases (2017: 22; 2016: 26) and 6 aircraft 
financed by way of other commercial debt (2017: 6; 2016: 6).   

176 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
The  maturity  profile  of  the  Company’s  financial  liabilities  (aircraft  provisions,  trade  payables  and 

accrued expenses) at March 31, 2018 was as follows: 

  Weighted  
average   
rate 
(%) 

2019   
€M 

2020   

2021   

      €M 

      €M 

2022 
€M 

  Thereafter  
€M 

Total 
€M 

Fixed rate 
Secured long term debt 
Unsecured long term debt 
Debt swapped from floating to fixed 
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 

 2.56 %     84.8   
 1.33 %     24.0   
 0.37 %     14.0   
 1.45 %    122.8   
 2.97 %     66.6   
 189.4   

 46.9   
 59.9  
 24.0   
 24.0   
 14.9   
 14.4   
 98.3   
 85.8   
 (2.8)     115.5   
 95.5     201.3   

 48.1   
 350.4 
 110.7   
 867.0     1,627.7     2,566.7 
 74.4 
 15.3   
 930.4     1,754.2     2,991.5 
 179.3 
 930.4     1,754.2     3,170.8 

 15.8   

 —   

 —   

 196.4     193.4     174.6   
 (14.0)     (14.4)     (14.9)   
 0.85 %    182.4     179.0     159.7   
 1.14 %     62.8   
 62.6   
 0.90 %    245.2     200.5     222.3   

 719.7 
 (74.4) 
 645.3 
 146.9 
 792.2 
 434.6     296.0     423.6     1,033.9     1,774.9     3,963.0 

 118.8   
 (15.3)   
 103.5   
 —   
 103.5   

 36.5   
 (15.8)   
 20.7   
 —   
 20.7   

 21.5   

All of the above debt maturing after 2022 will mature between fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2025. 

The  maturity  profile  of  the  Company’s  financial  liabilities  (aircraft  provisions,  trade  payables  and 

accrued expenses) at March 31, 2017 was as follows: 

Fixed rate 
Secured long term-debt 
Unsecured long term-debt 
Debt swapped from floating to fixed 

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 

  Weighted  
average   
rate 
(%) 

2018 
€M 

2019 
€M 

2020 
€M 

2021 
€M 

  Thereafter   Total 
€M 

€M 

 1.91 % 
 1.37 %  
 2.59 % 

 96.2 
 13.5 
 60.1 

    71.7 
    13.2 
    61.7 

 46.6    
 13.2    
 63.3    

 33.4 
 13.2 
 64.9 

 105.9     353.8 
    2,462.1   2,515.2 
 143.4     393.4 

1.57 %   169.8 
 59.5 
 2.74 % 
229.3 

  146.6 
    66.7 
  213.3 

   123.1     111.5 
 (2.9)     116.0 
   120.2     227.5 

   2,711.4   3,262.4 
 —     239.3 
    2,711.4   3,501.7 

  214.9 

216.0 
(60.1)     (61.7)    

   212.3     193.8 

(63.3)    

(64.9)    

 0.49 %  155.9 

  153.2 

   149.0     128.9 

 222.0   1,059.0 
(143.4)   (393.4) 
 78.6     665.6 

Finance leases 
Total floating rate debt 
Total financial liabilities 

 1.01 %  
 70.7 
 0.84 %  226.6 
455.9 

    62.6 
  215.8 
  429.1 

 21.3    

 62.6 
   170.3     191.5 
   290.5     419.0 

 —     217.2 
 78.6     882.8 
    2,789.9   4,384.5 

All of the above debt maturing after 2021 will mature between fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2025. 

177 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
     
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
     
     
     
     
     
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
     
   
  
   
  
      
   
  
     
   
  
     
  
  
   
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
 
 
The  maturity  profile  of  the  Company’s  financial  liabilities  (aircraft  provisions,  trade  payables  and 

accrued expenses) at March 31, 2016 was as follows: 

  Weighted  
average   
rate 
(%) 

2017 
€M 

2018 
€M 

2019 
€M 

2020 
      €M 

  Thereafter  
€M 

Total 
€M 

Fixed rate 
Secured long term-debt 
Unsecured 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 

 97.1   
 2.68 %   
 1.48 %   
 7.1   
 3.23 %     144.9   
 2.15 %     249.1   
 41.8   
 2.83 %   
 290.9   

 96.1   
 7.1   
 234.0   
 337.2   
 62.5   
 399.7   

 46.6   

 450.8 
 139.3   
 71.7   
 7.1     1,699.1     1,727.5 
 7.1   
 827.0 
 204.7   
 157.7   
 236.5     139.4     2,043.1     3,005.3 
 66.6   
 281.2 
 303.1     139.4     2,153.4     3,286.5 

 110.3   

 85.7   

 —   

 329.5   

 237.0   
 248.6     170.4   
 293.9     1,279.4 
 (144.9)     (234.0)     (157.7)     (85.7)   
 (827.0) 
 (204.7)   
 84.7   
 90.9   
 452.4 
 89.2   
 62.6   
 21.3   
 284.1 
 62.6   
 736.5 
 153.5     106.0   
 151.8   
 456.6     245.4     2,305.2     4,023.0 

 95.5   
 70.7   
 166.2   
 565.9   

 92.1   
 0.41 %   
 1.09 %   
 66.9   
 0.71 %     159.0   
 449.9   

All of the above debt maturing after 2020 will mature between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2025. 
The following provides an analysis of changes in borrowings during the year: 

      2018 
€M 
    4,384.5  
 65.2  
 (458.9)  
 (27.8)  
    3,963.0  
 434.6  
    3,528.4  
    3,963.0  

At March 31,  
      2017 
€M 
 4,023.0  
 793.4  
 (447.1)  
 15.2  
 4,384.5  
 455.9  
 3,928.6  
 4,384.5  

      2016 
€M 
 4,431.6 
 — 
 (384.9) 
 (23.7) 
 4,023.0 
 449.9 
 3,573.1 
 4,023.0 

Balance at start of year 
Loans raised for general corporate purposes– euro 
Repayments of amounts borrowed 
Foreign exchange loss/(gain) on conversion of U.S. dollar loans 
Balance at end of year 
Less than one year 
More than one year 

178 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
     
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
The maturities of the contractual undiscounted cash flows (including estimated future interest payments 

on debt) of the Company’s financial liabilities are as follows:  

At March 31, 2018 
Long term debt and finance leases: 
-Fixed rate debt (excluding swapped 
debt) 
-Swapped to fixed rate debt 
- Fixed rate debt       1.54% 
- Floating rate debt   0.90% 

Total 

Total 

  Carrying   Contractual  
  Cash flows  
€M 

Value 
€M 

2019 
€M 

2020 
      €M 

2021 
      €M 

2022 
€M 

  Thereafter 
€M 

    3,096.4   
 74.4   
    3,170.8   
 792.2   
    3,963.0   

 3,144.9   
 74.7   
 3,219.6   
 799.3   
 4,018.9   

 82.3     189.3   
 15.0   
 14.5   
 96.8     204.3   
 202.3     224.3   

 929.4     1,765.7 
 178.2   
 15.7 
 15.4   
 14.1   
 944.8     1,781.4 
 192.3   
 247.4  
 20.9 
 104.4   
 439.7     299.1     428.6     1,049.2     1,802.3 

Derivative financial instruments 
- Interest rate swaps 
- Currency forward contracts 
- Commodity forward contracts 
Trade payables 
Accrued expenses 
Total at March 31, 2018 

 7.0   
 599.0   
 —   
 249.6   
 445.5   
    5,264.1   

 2.3   

 6.5   
 599.0   
 —   
 249.6   
 445.5   

 1.1 
 121.1 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 5,319.5     1,326.6     406.0     512.7     1,149.7     1,924.5 

 1.3   
 189.5     105.6   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 1.0   
 83.1   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 0.8   
 99.7   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 249.6   
 445.5   

At March 31, 2017 
Long term debt and finance leases: 
-Fixed rate debt (excluding swapped 

debt) 

-Swapped to fixed rate debt 
- Fixed rate debt       1.65% 
- Floating rate debt   0.84% 

Total 

Total 

  Carrying   Contractual  
  Cash flows  
€M 

Value 
€M 

2018 
€M 

2019   

2020   

2021    Thereafter 

      €M 

      €M 

      €M 

€M 

    3,108.3   
 393.4   
    3,501.7   
 882.8   
    4,384.5   

 3,302.3   
 416.5   
 3,718.8   
 892.3   
 4,611.1   

 83.1     186.1     2,645.4 
 205.1     182.6   
 77.1   
 143.8 
 65.3   
 65.0   
 65.3   
 282.2     247.9     148.1     251.4     2,789.2 
 230.1     218.6     172.2     192.4   
 79.0 
 512.3     466.5     320.3     443.8     2,868.2 

Derivative financial instruments 
- Interest rate swaps 
- Currency forward contracts 
- Commodity forward contracts 
Trade payables 
Accrued expenses 
Total at March 31, 2017 

 3.8   
 0.5   
 —   
 294.1   
 348.0   
    5,030.9   

 4.9   
 0.3   
 —   
 294.1   
 348.0   

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
— 
 5,258.4     1,156.2     468.9     321.3     443.8     2,868.2 

 1.7   
 0.1   
 —   
 294.1   
 348.0   

 1.0   
 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 2.2   
 0.2   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

179 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
 
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
 
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
 
At March 31, 2016 
Long term debt and finance leases: 
-Fixed rate debt (excluding swapped 

debt) 

-Swapped to fixed rate debt 
- Fixed rate debt       2.20% 
- Floating rate debt   0.71% 

Derivative financial instruments 
- Interest rate swaps 
- Currency forward contracts 
- Commodity forward contracts 
Trade payables 
Accrued expenses 
Total at March 31, 2016 

Interest rate re-pricing 

Total 

Total 

  Carrying   Contractual  
  Cash flows  
€M 

Value 
€M 

2017 
€M 

2018   

2019   

2020    Thereafter 

      €M 

      €M 

      €M 

€M 

    2,459.5   
 827.0   
    3,286.5   
 736.5   
    4,023.0   

 2,678.4   
 849.9   
 3,528.3   
 746.2   
 4,274.5   

 80.4     2,031.9 
 188.4     199.9     177.8   
 161.9     237.6     159.4   
 205.0 
 86.0   
 350.3     437.5     337.2     166.4     2,236.9 
 162.5     168.9     155.4     107.2   
 152.2 
 512.8     606.4     492.6     273.6     2,389.1 

 16.2   
 51.1   
 599.7   
 230.6   
 422.8   
    5,343.4   

 14.9   
 51.1   
 599.7   
 230.6   
 422.8   

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 5,593.6     1,720.4     716.9     493.6     273.6     2,389.1 

 11.1   
 0.6   
 542.5   
 230.6   
 422.8   

 2.8   
 50.5   
 57.2   
 —   
 —   

 1.0   
 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

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 7 and 12 years). 

The Company holds significant cash balances that are invested on a short-term basis. At March 31, 2018, 
all of the Company’s cash and liquid resources attracted a weighted average interest rate of -0.01% (2017: 0.04%; 
2016: 0.19%). 

Financial assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash > 3 months 
Restricted cash 
Total financial assets 

March 31, 2018 

March 31, 2017 

March 31, 2016 

  Within   

  Within   

1 year 
€M 

Total 
€M 

1 year 
€M 

  Within   
1 year 
€M 

Total 
€M 

Total 
€M 

    1,515.0     1,515.0     1,224.0     1,224.0     1,259.2     1,259.2 
    2,130.5     2,130.5     2,904.5     2,904.5     3,062.3     3,062.3 
 13.0 
    3,680.1     3,680.1     4,140.3     4,140.3     4,334.5     4,334.5 

 11.8   

 13.0   

 34.6   

 34.6   

 11.8   

Interest rates on cash and liquid resources are generally based on the appropriate EURIBOR, LIBOR or 

bank rates dependent on the principal amounts on deposit. 

180 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
 
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(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 4 to the consolidated 
financial statements.  

The following table shows the net amount of monetary assets of the Company that are not denominated 
in  euro  at  March  31,  2018,  2017  and  2016.  Such  amounts  have  been  translated  using  the  following  year-end 
foreign currency rates in 2018: €/£:0.8756; €/$:1.2321 (2017: €/£: 0.8555; €/$:1.0691; 2016: €/£: 0.7916; €/$: 
1.1385). 

Monetary assets 

U.K. pounds sterling cash and liquid 
resources 
U.S. Dollar cash and liquid resources 

March 31, 2018 

March 31, 2017 

  March 31, 2016 

  GBP 
  U.S.$ 
      £M        $M 

euro  
  equiv. 
      €M 

  GBP    U.S.$ 
      £M        $M        €M        £M        $M        €M 

  euro  
  euro  
  equiv.    GBP    U.S.$    equiv. 

    12.2  
 —  
    12.2  

 —   

 13.9     8.0  
 168.0     136.3   
 —  
 168.0     150.2     8.0  

 —   

 9.4     4.0  
 10.6     10.0   
 —  
 10.6     19.4     4.0  

 —   
 4.7   
 4.7   

 5.1 
 4.2 
 9.3 

The  following  table  shows  the  net  amount  of  monetary  liabilities  of  the  Company  that  are  not 
denominated in euro at March 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Such amounts have been translated using the following 
year-end foreign currency rates in 2018: €/$1.2321 (2017: €/$1.0691; 2016: €/$: 1.1385). 

Monetary liabilities 

U.S dollar long term debt 

  March 31, 2018 
euro  
  equiv. 
      €M 

  U.S.$ 
      $M 

  March 31, 2017 
euro  
  equiv. 
      €M 

  U.S.$ 
      $M 

  March 31, 2016 
euro  
  equiv. 
      €M 

  U.S.$ 
      $M 

 246.1     199.8  
 246.1     199.8  

 288.8     270.1  
 288.8     270.1  

 330.5     290.3 
 330.5     290.3 

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, 2018 was €0.3 million (2017: 
€11.3 million; 2016: €1.8 million) which has been classified within current assets (2017: current assets; 2016: 
current assets), specifically derivative assets/liabilities falling due within one year (see Note 4 to the consolidated 
financial statements). 

181 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(f)          Credit risk 

The Company holds significant cash balances, which are classified as either cash and cash equivalents 
or financial assets >3 months. 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 high investment grade credit rating from the 
main rating agencies, including Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings. 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 3 years. 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, 2018, €0.8 million (2017: €0.8 million; 2016: €0.6 million) of the Company’s total accounts 
receivable balance were past due, of which €0.2 million (2017: €0.2 million; 2016: €0.1 million) was impaired 
and provided for and €0.6 million (2017: €0.6 million; 2016: €0.5 million) was past due but not impaired. See 
Note 7 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 general corporate purposes including the acquisition 
of aircraft. The Company had cash and liquid resources at March 31, 2018 of €3,680.1 million (2017: €4,140.3 
million; 2016: €4,334.5 million). During the year, the Company funded €1,470.6 million in purchases of property, 
plant and equipment (2017: €1,449.8 million; 2016: €1,217.7 million). Cash generated from operations has been 
the  principal  source  for  these  cash  requirements,  supplemented  primarily  by  general  corporate  purposes  debt 
capital markets issuances. During the year, the Company funded €829.1 million in share buybacks (2017: €1,017.9 
million; 2016: €1,104.0 million (inclusive of a €398 million B Share Dividend)). Cash generated from operations 
has been the principal source for these cash requirements. 

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 fiscal year 2019. 

(h)         Guarantees 

Details of the Company’s guarantees and the related accounting have been disclosed in Note 22 to the 

consolidated financial statements. 

182 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(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, 2018, a plus or minus one-percentage-point movement in interest 
rates  would  result  in  a  respective  increase  or  decrease  of  €8.5  million  (net  of  tax)  in  net  interest  income  and 
expense in the income statement (2017: €25.8 million; 2016: €29.3 million) and a €0.5 million increase or decrease 
in equity (2017: nil; 2016: €4.8 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, 
2018  would  have  no  impact  on  the  income  statement  (net  of  tax)  (2017:  nil;  2016:  €0.1  million).  The  same 
movement of 10% in foreign currency exchange rates would have a positive €866.1 million impact (net of tax) on 
equity if the rate fell by 10% and a negative €708.6 million impact (net of tax) if the rate increased by 10% (2017: 
€336.1 million positive or €410.7 negative; 2016: €567.6 million positive or €464.4 million negative). 

11.         Deferred and current taxation 

The components of the deferred and current taxation in the balance sheet are as follows: 

Current tax liabilities 
Corporation tax provision 
Total current tax liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences on property, plant and 

equipment, derivatives and pensions   

Total deferred tax liabilities 
Total deferred tax liabilities (net) 
Total tax liabilities (net) 

Reconciliation of current tax 

At beginning of year 
Corporation tax charge in year 
Tax paid 
At end of year 

Reconciliation of deferred tax 

At beginning of year 
New temporary differences on property, plant and equipment, derivatives, 

pensions and other items 

At end of year 

At March 31,  
2017 
€M 

2018 
€M 

2016 
€M 

 36.0   
 36.0   

 2.9   
 2.9   

 20.9 
 20.9 

 395.2   
 395.2   
 395.2   
 431.2   

 473.1   
 473.1   
 473.1   
 476.0   

 385.5 
 385.5 
 385.5 
 406.4 

At March 31,  
2017 
€M 

2018 
€M 

2016 
€M 

 2.9   
 152.0   
 (118.9)   
 36.0   

 20.9   
 143.6   
 (161.6)   
 2.9   

 (0.8) 
 149.2 
 (127.5) 
 20.9 

At March 31,  
2017 
€M 

2018 
€M 

2016 
€M 

 473.1   

 385.5   

 462.3 

 (77.9)   
 395.2   

 87.6   
 473.1   

 (76.8) 
 385.5 

183 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
The charge in the year to March 31, 2018 consisted of temporary differences of a charge of €9.1 million 
for property, plant and equipment recognised in the income statement and a credit of €87.0 million for derivatives 
recognised in other comprehensive  income. The charge  in the  year to March 31, 2017 consisted of temporary 
differences of a charge of €10.5 million for property, plant and equipment and a charge of €0.3 million for other 
temporary  differences, both recognised in the  income  statement,  and a charge of  €76.6 million for derivatives 
recognised in other comprehensive  income. The charge  in the  year to March 31, 2016 consisted of temporary 
differences of a charge of €15.3 million for property, plant and equipment and a credit of €1.7 million for other 
temporary differences, both recognised in the income statement, and a credit of €90.2 million for derivatives and 
a credit of €0.1 million for pensions, both recognised in other comprehensive income.  

The components of the tax expense in the income statement were as follows: 

Corporation tax charge in year 
Deferred tax charge relating to origination and reversal of temporary 

differences 

  Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
  March 31,    March 31,    March 31,  

2018 
€M 
 152.0   

2017 
€M 
 143.6   

2016 
€M 
 149.2 

 9.1   
 161.1   

 10.8   
 154.4   

 13.6 
 162.8 

The  following  table  reconciles  the  statutory  rate  of  Irish  corporation  tax  to  the  Company’s  effective 

corporation tax rate: 

  Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2017 
      % 

2016 
      % 

2018 
      % 

Statutory rate of Irish corporation tax 
Adjustments for earnings taxed at lower rates 
Other differences 
Total effective rate of taxation 

 12.5   
 (2.9)   
 0.4   
 10.0   

 12.5   
 (2.2)   
 0.2   
 10.5   

 12.5 
 (0.1) 
 (0.8) 
 11.6 

Deferred tax applicable to items charged or credited to other comprehensive income were as follows: 

Defined benefit pension obligations 
Derivative financial instruments 
Total tax charge in other comprehensive income 

At March 31,  
2017 
€M 

2018 
€M 

 —   
 (87.0)   
 (87.0)   

 —   
 76.6   
 76.6   

2016 
€M 
 (0.1) 
 (90.2) 
 (90.3) 

The majority of current and deferred tax recorded in each of fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016 relates to 
domestic tax charges and there is no expiry date associated with these temporary differences. In fiscal year 2018, 
the Irish corporation tax rate remained at 12.5%. 

184 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
  
 
 
The principal components of deferred tax at each year-end were: 

Arising on capital allowances and other temporary differences 
Arising on derivatives 
Arising on pension 
Total 

2018 
€M 
 444.7   
 (48.9)   
 (0.6)   
 395.2   

At March 31,  
2017 
€M 
 435.6   
 38.1   
 (0.6)   
 473.1   

2016 
€M 
 424.6 
 (38.5) 
 (0.6) 
 385.5 

The Company recognised all required deferred tax assets and liabilities at March 31, 2018, 2017 and 
2016. No deferred tax has been provided for un-remitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries as there is no immediate 
intention  to  remit  these  to  Ireland.  No  temporary  differences  arise  on  the  carrying  value  of  the  tax  base  of 
subsidiary  companies  as  the  Company’s  trading  subsidiaries  are  resident  in  countries  with  which  Ireland  has 
concluded double taxation agreements. 

12.         Provisions  

Provision for aircraft maintenance on operating leased aircraft (a) 
Provision for pension obligation (b) 

      2018 
€M 
 133.2   
 4.9   
 138.1   

At March 31,  
      2017 
€M 
 133.3   
 4.9   
 138.2   

      2016 
€M 
 144.4 
 4.9 
 149.3 

(a) Provision for aircraft maintenance on operating leased aircraft 
At beginning of year 
Increase in provision during the year 
Utilisation of provision upon the hand-back of aircraft 
At end of year 

At March 31,  
2017 
€M 

2018 
€M 

2016 
€M 

 133.3   
 13.8   
 (13.9)   
 133.2   

 144.4   
 25.6   
 (36.7)   
 133.3   

 176.2 
 29.5 
 (61.3) 
 144.4 

During fiscal year 2018, the Company returned 2 aircraft held under operating lease to the lessors. 

The expected timing of the outflows of economic benefits associated with the provision at March 31, 

2018, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:  

At March 31, 2018 
Provision for leased aircraft maintenance 

At March 31, 2017 
Provision for leased aircraft maintenance 

  Carrying      
      Value        2019        2020        2021       2022      Thereafter 

€M 

   €M 

   €M 

   €M 

   €M 

€M 

 133.2     52.8     57.6     16.2     6.6   

 — 

  Carrying      
      Value        2018        2019        2020       2021      Thereafter 

€M 

   €M 

   €M 

   €M 

   €M 

€M 

 133.3     65.5     36.4     25.3     6.1   

 — 

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At March 31, 2016 
Provision for leased aircraft maintenance 

(b) Provision for pension obligation 
At beginning of year 
Movement during the year 
At end of year 

     Carrying      
      Value        2017        2018        2019        2020       Thereafter 

€M 

   €M 

   €M 

   €M 

   €M 

€M 

 144.4     69.4     18.7     29.7     21.2   

 5.4 

      2018 
€M 

At March 31,  
      2017 
€M 

      2016 
€M 

 4.9   
 —   
 4.9   

 4.9   
 —   
 4.9   

 4.6 
 0.3 
 4.9 

See Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements for further details.  

13.         Other creditors 

This consists of deferred gains arising from the sale and leaseback of aircraft. During fiscal year 2018, 2 
sale- and-leaseback aircraft were returned and Ryanair did not enter into sale-and-leaseback arrangements for any 
new Boeing 737-800 “next generation” aircraft (2017: nil; 2016: 8).  Total sale-and-leaseback aircraft at March 
31, 2018 was 31. 

14.         Issued share capital, share premium account and share options 

(a) 

Share capital 

Authorised/Share Capital reorganisation 

1,550,000,000 ordinary equity shares of 0.600 euro cent each 
1,368,000,000 'B' Shares of 0.050 euro cent each 
1,368,000,000 Deferred shares of 0.050 euro cent each 

Allotted, called-up and fully paid: 

1,171,142,985 ordinary equity shares of 0.600 euro cent each 
1,217,870,999 ordinary equity shares of 0.600 euro cent each 
1,290,739,865 ordinary equity shares of 0.635 euro cent each 

At March 31,  
2017 
€M 

2018 
€M 

2016 
€M 

 9.3   
 0.7   
 0.7   
 10.7   

 9.3  
 0.7  
 0.7  
 10.7 

 7.0   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 7.3   
 —   

9.3 
0.7 
0.7 
10.7 

 — 
 — 
 7.7 

During  fiscal  year 2016, the  Group returned  €398 million  to shareholders  via a B share scheme, and 
completed a capital reorganisation which involved the consolidation of its ordinary share capital on a  39 for 40 
basis. The Group’s shareholders approved the creation of two new authorised share classes being the ‘B’ Shares 
and Deferred Shares classes to effect this B share scheme and 1,353,149,541 ‘B’ Shares and 663,060,175 Deferred 
Shares were subsequently issued. Arising out of the ordinary share consolidation the number of ordinary equity 
shares in issue was reduced by 33,828,739 ordinary equity shares from 1,353,149,541 immediately prior to the 
implementation of the B Share scheme to 1,319,320,802 ordinary equity shares in issue upon completion of the B 
Share scheme and the nominal value of an ordinary equity share was reduced from 0.635 euro cent each to 0.6 
euro cent each. All ‘B’ Shares and Deferred Shares issued in connection with the B Share scheme were either 
redeemed or cancelled during the  year ended March 31, 2016 such that there  were  no ‘B’ Shares or  Deferred 
Shares remaining in issue as at March 31, 2016. 

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Other movement in the share capital balance year-on-year principally relates to the cancellation of 46.7 
million shares relating to share buy-backs (2017: 72.8 million; 2016: 53.5 million). There  were no new shares 
issued in fiscal year 2018. (2017: nil; 2016: 0.3 million)  

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 
Share premium arising from the exercise of 0.3 million options in fiscal year 
2016 
Balance at end of year 

2018 
€M 
 719.4 

At March 31,  
2017 
€M 
 719.4 

 —    

 719.4 

 — 
 719.4 

2016 
€M 
 718.6 

 0.8 
 719.4 

(c) 

Share options and share purchase arrangements 

The Company has adopted a number of share option plans, which allow current or future employees or 
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.   

Details of the share options outstanding are set out below:  

Outstanding at March 31, 2015 
Exercised 
Granted 
Forfeited 
Outstanding at March 31, 2016 
Granted 
Forfeited 
Outstanding at March 31, 2017 
Outstanding at March 31, 2018 

      Share Options      
M 

Weighted 
Average 

€ 

€ 
€ 
€ 
€ 

       Exercise Price 
 6.86 
 2.56 
 11.38 
 6.25 
 6.97 
 12.0 
 9.42 
 7.70 
 7.70 

€ 
€ 
€ 

€ 

 18.0  
 (0.3)  
 0.1  
 (0.5)  
 17.3  
 3.0  
 (0.2)  
 20.1  
 20.1  

The mid-market price of Ryanair Holdings plc’s ordinary shares on the Irish Stock Exchange at March 
31, 2018 was €16.00 (2017: €14.53; 2016: €14.17). The highest and lowest prices at which the Company’s shares 
traded on the Irish Stock Exchange in fiscal year 2018 were €19.39 and €14.55 respectively (fiscal year 2017 were 
€14.96 and €10.46 respectively; 2016: €15.35 and €10.47, respectively). There were  no  options exercisable at 
March 31, 2018 (2017: nil; 2016: nil). The average share price for fiscal year 2018 was €16.95 (2017: €13.28; 
2016: €13.06). 

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There were no options exercised during fiscal years 2018 and 2017. The weighted average share price 

(as of the dates of exercises) for all options exercised during fiscal year 2016 was €11.70.  

At  March  31,  2018  the  range  of  exercise  prices  and  weighted  average  remaining  contractual  life  of 

outstanding options are shown in the table below. 

Options outstanding 
      Weighted- 

Range of exercise 
 price (€) 
6.25-7.99 
8.00-12.00 

average 
remaining 

  Weighted- 
  Number 
  average 
  outstanding    contractual life    exercise  
       price (€) 
 6.39 
 9.69 

(years) 
 4.1 
 4.3 

 12.1 
  8.0 

       M 

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 €6.4 million to 
the income statement (2017: €5.7 million charge; 2016: €5.9 million charge) being recognised within the income 
statement in accordance with employee services rendered.  

15.         Other equity reserves  

The total share based payments reserve at March 31, 2018 was €21.3 million (2017: €14.9 million; 2016: 
€9.2 million). The treasury reserve amounted to €nil million at March 31, 2018 (2017: €nil; 2016: negative €7.3 
million).  The  total  cash-flow  hedge  reserve  amounted  to  negative  €359.7  million  at  March  31,  2018  (2017: 
positive €221.9 million; 2016: negative €300.6 million). Further details of the group’s derivatives are set out in 
Notes 4 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements.  

16.         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.   

188 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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: 

External revenues 

  Year ended      Year ended      Year ended    
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,     
2017 
€M 
 6,647.8  

2018 
€M 
 7,151.0   

2016 
€M 
 6,535.8  

Reportable segment profit after income tax 

 1,450.2   

 1,315.9  

 1,241.6 (i) 

Other segment information: 
Depreciation 
Finance expense 
Finance income 
Capital expenditure – cash 

Reportable segment assets 
Reportable segment liabilities 

 (561.0)   
 (60.1)  
 2.0   

 (497.5)  
 (67.2)  
 4.2  
    (1,470.6)     (1,449.8)  

 (427.3)  
 (71.1)  
 17.9  
 (1,217.7)  

  At March 31,     At March 31,     At March 31,  
2017 
€M 
 11,989.7   
 7,566.7   

2018 
€M 
 12,361.8   
 7,892.9   

2016 
€M 
 11,218.3 
 7,621.5 

(i)  Excludes the gain of €317.5 million on the sale of the Aer Lingus Shareholding recognised in the financial 

year ended March 31, 2016. 

Entity-wide disclosures: 

Geographical information for revenue by country of origin is as follows: 

Ireland 
United Kingdom 
Other European countries 

  Year ended        Year ended        Year ended  
  March 31,  
  March 31,  

  March 31,  

2018 
€M 
 500.6 
 1,644.7   
 5,005.7   
 7,151.0   

2017 
€M 
 739.0 
 1,690.3   
 4,218.5   
 6,647.8   

2016 
€M 
 672.9 
 1,843.9 
 4,019.0 
 6,535.8 

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Ancillary Revenues 

Ancillary revenues comprise revenues from non-flight scheduled operations, in-flight sales and Internet-

related services. 

 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.  

17.         Staff numbers and costs  

The  average  weekly  number  of  staff,  including  the  Executive  Director,  during  the  year,  analysed  by 

category, was as follows: 

Flight and cabin crew 
Sales, operations, management and administration 

  Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2017 
 11,150   
 1,288   
 12,438   

2018 
 12,334   
 1,469   
 13,803   

2016 
 9,777 
 1,149 
 10,926 

At  March  31,  2018  the  company  had  a  team  of  14,583  aviation  professionals  (2017:  13,026;  2016: 

11,458). 

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows: 

Staff and related costs 
Social welfare costs 
Other pension costs (a) 
Share based payments (b) 

  Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2017 
€M 
 599.5   
 23.0   
 4.8   
 5.7   
 633.0   

2018 
€M 
 701.5   
 24.8   
 5.8   
 6.4   
 738.5   

2016 
€M 
 551.9 
 23.1 
 4.5 
 5.9 
 585.4 

(a)  Costs in respect of defined-contribution benefit plans and other pension arrangements were €5.8 million in 
2018 (2017: €4.8 million; 2016: €4.2 million) while costs associated with the defined benefit plans included 
here  were  €nil  million in 2018 (2017:  €nil million; 2016: €0.3 million). (See  Note 20 to the  consolidated 
financial statements). 

(b)  In  the  year  ended  March  31,  2018  the  charge  in  the  income  statement  of  €6.4  million  for  share  based 
compensation  comprises  a  charge  for  the  fair  value  of  various  share  options  granted,  which  are  being 
recognised in the income statement in accordance with services rendered. 

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18.         Statutory and other information 

  Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2017 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2018 
€M 

Directors’ emoluments: 
-Fees 
-Share based compensation 
-Other emoluments 
Total Directors’ emoluments 
Auditor’s remuneration (including reimbursement of outlay):  
- Audit services (i) 
- Audit related services (ii) 
- Tax advisory services (iii) 
Total fees 
Included within the above total fees, the following fees were payable to 

other KPMG firms outside of Ireland: 

Audit related services 
Tax services 
Total fees 
Depreciation of owned property, plant and equipment 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment held under finance leases 
Operating lease charges, principally for aircraft 

 0.7   
 1.5   
 1.1   
3.3   

 0.4   
 0.1   
 0.2   
 0.7   

 0.6   
 1.5   
 2.0   
 4.1   

 0.4   
 0.0   
 0.5   
 0.9   

 0.6 
 1.6 
 1.9 
 4.1 

 0.4 
 0.0 
 0.3 
 0.7 

0.1   
 0.2   
 0.3   
 548.7   
 12.3   
 82.3   

0.0   
 0.2   
 0.2   
 478.7   
 18.8   
 86.1   

0.0 
 0.1 
 0.1 
 403.4 
 23.9 
 115.1 

(i)  Audit  services  comprise  audit  work  performed  on  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  In  2018,  €1,000 

(2017: €1,000; 2016: €1,000) of audit fees relate to the audit of the Parent Company.  

(ii)  Audit related services comprise financial due diligence services. 

(iii)  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 

Basic salary 
Bonus (performance and target-related) 
Share based compensation 

  Year ended       Year ended       Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2017 
€M 
 1.06   
 0.95   
 1.25   
 3.26   

2018 
€M 
 1.06   
—   
 1.25   
2.31   

2016 
€M 
 1.06 
 0.85 
 1.25 
 3.16 

During  the  years  ended  March  31,  2018,  2017,  and  2016  Michael  O’Leary  was  the  only  Executive 

Director. 

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(b)  Fees and emoluments – Non-Executive Directors 

Fees 
David Bonderman 
Michael Cawley 
Emer Daly (v) 
Michael Horgan (i) 
John Leahy (ii) 
Stan Mc Carthy (iv) 
Charles McCreevy 
Declan McKeon 
Kyran McLaughlin 
Howard Millar (iii) 
Dick Milliken 
Mike O’Brien (ii) 
Julie O’Neill 
James Osborne (vi) 
Louise Phelan 

Emoluments 
Share based compensation 
Total 

  Year ended       Year ended       Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2017 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2018 
€M 

 0.10   
 0.05   
 0.02  
 —   
 —   
 0.04  
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.08   
 0.05   
 0.02   
 0.05   
 0.66   

 0.27   
 0.93   

 0.10   
 0.05   
 —  
 —   
 0.02   
 —  
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.06   
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.63   

 0.27   
 0.90   

 0.10 
 0.05 
 — 
 0.04 
 0.04 
 — 
 0.05 
 0.05 
 0.05 
 0.02 
 0.05 
 — 
 0.05 
 0.05 
 0.05 
 0.60 

 0.30 
 0.90 

(i)  Michael Horgan resigned from the Board of Directors in September 2015. 
(ii)  John Leahy served on the Board of Directors between August 2015 and September 2016. Mike O’Brien was 

appointed to the Board in May 2016. 

(iii) Howard Millar was appointed to the Board of Directors effective in August 2015. 
(iv) Stan McCarthy was appointed to the Board of Directors effective in May 2017. 
(v)  Emer Daly was appointed to the Board of Directors effective in December 2017. 
(vi) James Osborne passed away in August 2017. 

(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, 2018 was €0.1 million (2017: €0.1 
million; 2016: €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, 2018, 
2017,  and  2016  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. 

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(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, 2018, 2017 and 2016 of the Directors in office at March 31, 2018 

and of their spouses and dependent children in the share capital of the Company are as follows: 

David Bonderman 
Michael Cawley 
Emer Daly 
Stan McCarthy 
Kyran McLaughlin 
Howard Millar 
Dick Milliken 
Michael O’Leary 
James Osborne 
Louise Phelan 

2018 
 7,535,454   
 756,198   
3,260  
 10,000  
 225,000   
 390,000   
 9,750   

No. of Shares at March 31,  
2017 
 7,535,454   
 756,198   
 —  
 —  
 225,000   
 390,000   
 9,750   

2016 (a) 
 7,535,454 
 756,198 
 — 
 — 
 225,000 
 390,000 
 9,750 
    46,096,725     50,096,725     50,096,725 
 302,500 
 6,825 

 302,500   
 6,825   

 —   
 6,825   

(a)  On October 27, 2015, the Company completed a capital reorganisation which involved the consolidation of 
its ordinary share capital on a 39 for 40 basis, thus reducing the shareholdings of all Directors in the fiscal 
year 2016 (before taking account of other additions or disposals of shares undertaken by Directors). 

 (ii) Share options 

The share options held by each Director in office at the end of fiscal year 2018 were as follows: 

David Bonderman (a) 
Michael Cawley (a) 
Charles McCreevy (a) 
Declan McKeon (a) 
Kyran McLaughlin (a) 
Howard Millar (c) 
Dick Milliken (a) 
Michael O’Leary (b) 
Julie O’Neill (a) 
James Osborne (a) 
Louise Phelan (a) 

2018 
 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   

No. of Options at March 31,  
2017 
 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   

2016 
 30,000 
 30,000 
 30,000 
 30,000 
 30,000 
 30,000 
 30,000 
    5,000,000     5,000,000     5,000,000 
 30,000 
 30,000 
 30,000 

 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   

 30,000   
 —   
 30,000   

(a)  These options were granted to these Directors at an exercise price of €6.25 (the market value at the date of 
grant) during fiscal year 2015 and are exercisable between June 2019 and July 2022 subject to the Director 
still being a Non-Executive Director of the Company through April 30, 2019. 

(b)  These options were granted to Mr. O’Leary during fiscal year 2015 at an exercise price of €8.345 (the market 
value at the date of grant) and are exercisable between September 2019 and November 2021 subject to him 
still being an employee of the Company through July 31, 2019. 

(c)  These options were granted to these Directors at an exercise price of €11.38 (the market value at the date of 
grant)  during  fiscal  year  2016  and  are  exercisable  between  August  2019  and  August  2021  subject  to  the 
Director still being a Non-Executive Director of the Company through April 30, 2019. 

193 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
In fiscal year 2018 the Company incurred total share-based compensation expense of €1.5 million (2017: 

€1.5 million; 2016: €1.6 million) in relation to Directors. 

19.         Finance expense  

Interest payable 
Interest arising on pension liabilities 

20.         Pensions 

  Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2017 
€M 
 67.2   
 —   
 67.2   

2018 
€M 
 60.1   
 —   
 60.1   

2016 
€M 
 70.9 
 0.2 
 71.1 

At March 31, 2018 the Company operated defined-contribution schemes. 

During  fiscal  year  2016  the  Company  closed  the  defined  benefit  plan  for  U.K.  employees  to  future 
accruals.  The net pension liability recognized in the consolidated balance sheet for the scheme at March 31, 2018 
was €4.1 million (2017: €4.1 million; 2016: €4.1 million).  Costs associated with the scheme during fiscal year 
2018 was €nil million (2017: €0.3 million; 2016: €0.3 million). 

The  amounts  recognised  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  in  respect  of  defined  benefit  plans  are  as 

follows: 

Present value of benefit obligations 
Fair value of plan assets 
Present value of net obligations 
Related deferred tax asset 
Net pension liability 

Defined-contribution schemes 

2018 
€M 
 (15.0)   
 10.3   
 (4.7)   
 0.6   
 (4.1)   

At March 31,  
2017 
€M 
 (15.0)   
 10.3   
 (4.7)   
 0.6   
 (4.1)   

2016 
€M 
 (15.0) 
 10.3 
 (4.7) 
 0.6 
 (4.1) 

The Company operates defined-contribution retirement plans in Ireland and the U.K. 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 €5.8 million in 2018 (2017: €4.8 million; 2016: €4.2 million). 

194 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21.         Earnings per share  

Basic earnings per ordinary share (€) 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (€) 
Number of ordinary shares (in Ms) used for EPS 
Basic 
Diluted (a) 

2018 
 1.2151   
 1.2045   

At March 31,  
2017 
 1.0530   
 1.0464   

2016 
 1.1626 
 1.1563 

 1,193.5   
 1,204.0   

 1,249.7   
 1,257.5   

 1,341.0 
 1,348.4 

(a)  Details of share options in issue have been described more fully in Note 14 to the consolidated financial 

statements.  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 fiscal year 2018, the weighted average number of shares in issue 
of 1,204.0 million includes weighted average share options assumed to be converted, and equal to a total of 10.5 
million shares.  For fiscal year 2017, the weighted average number of shares in issue of 1,257.5 million includes 
weighted average share options assumed to be converted, and equal to a total of 7.8 million shares. For fiscal year 
2016, the weighted average number of shares in issue of 1,348.4 million includes weighted average share options 
assumed to be converted, and equal to a total of 7.4 million shares.  

22.         Commitments and contingencies 

Commitments 

In March 2013, the Group entered into a contract with Boeing (the “2013 Boeing Contract”) whereby 
the Group agreed to purchase 175 Boeing 737-800 “next-generation” aircraft over a five year period from calendar 
2014 to 2018. This agreement was approved at an EGM of Ryanair Holdings plc on June 18, 2013.  There were 
29 aircraft deliveries remaining at March 31, 2018. 

In April 2014, the Group 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.  In March 2015, 
the Group announced the purchase of an additional 3 Boeing 737-800 aircraft for delivery in early 2016 on the 
same terms as the 2013 Boeing Contract.  This brings the total “firm” new deliveries to 183 aircraft. 

In September 2014, the Group agreed to purchase up to 200 (100 firm orders and 100 subject to option) 
Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft from The Boeing Corporation during the  period fiscal  year 2019 to fiscal  year 
2024  (the  “2014  Boeing  Contract”).  This  agreement  was  approved  at  an  EGM  of  Ryanair  Holdings  plc  on 
November 28, 2014. In June 2017, the Group agreed to purchase an additional 10 Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft. 
This brings the total number of 737-MAX-200 aircraft on order to 210, with a list value of approximately $21.5 
billion  (assuming  all  options  are  exercised).  In  April  2018,  the  Company  announced  that  it  has  converted  25 
Boeing 737-MAX-200 options into firm orders. This brings the Company’s firm order to 135 Boeing 737-MAX-
200s with a further 75 options remaining. 

195 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
  
     
     
   
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The table below details the firm aircraft delivery schedule at March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 for the 

Group pursuant to the 2013 and 2014 Boeing contracts. 

2013 Contract 
2014 Contract 
Total 

 154   
 —   
 154   

 29   
 —   
 29   

Firm 

  Aircraft 
  Aircraft 
  Delivered at    Deliveries 
  March 31,  
2018 

  Fiscal Year   
2019 

  Firm Aircraft   
  Deliveries 
  Post Fiscal 

Years 

      2018/2019 

  Firm Aircraft 
Deliveries 

  Basic 
  price per   
  aircraft 
(U.S.$ 

  Fiscal Years 
  2016-2018 at 

  Total 
  “Firm”   
     Aircraft       million)       March 31, 2017 
 104 
 183   
 78.49   
 — 
 135     102.50   
 104 
318  

 —   
 135   
 135   

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  Group  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. 

The “Basic Price” (equivalent to a standard list price for an aircraft of this type) for each aircraft governed 
by the 2014 Boeing contract will be increased by (a) an estimated U.S.$1.6 million per aircraft for certain “buyer 
furnished”  equipment  the  Group  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 as part of the Boeing 2013 Contract and the 2014 
Contract. These take the form of credit memoranda to the Group for the amount of such concessions, which the 
Group 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  Group  certain  allowances  in  addition  to  providing  other  goods  and  services  to  the  Group  on 
concessionary terms. These credit memoranda and allowances will effectively reduce the price of each aircraft to 
the Group. 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, 2018 and March 
31, 2017, the total potential commitment to acquire all 164 (2017: 179) “firm” aircraft, not taking such increases 
and decreases into account, will be approximately U.S. $16.1 billion (2017: U.S. $16.5 billion). 

196 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating leases 

The Company financed 76 of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft delivered between December 2003 and March 
2014 under 7-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 March 2018, 45 operating lease aircraft were returned to the lessor at the agreed maturity date of the 
lease. At March 31, 2018 Ryanair had 31 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. All 31 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 16 of the 31 remaining 
operating lease aircraft as at March 31, 2018, on pre-determined terms. As at March 31, 2018 the Company has 
exercised 10 of these options to extend. The following table sets out the total future minimum payments of leasing 
31 aircraft (2017: 33 aircraft; 2016: 43 aircraft), at March 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively: 

Due within one year 
Due between one and five years 
Due after five years 
Total 

Finance leases 

2018 

2016 

At March 31,  
2017 
  Minimum    Minimum    Minimum 
  payments 
  payments 
  payments 
€M 
€M 
€M 
 93.5 
 88.9   
 76.8   
 184.8 
 142.9   
 73.5   
 —   
 0.5 
 —   
 278.8 
 231.8   
 150.3   

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. Ryanair exercised this option for  6 of these aircraft in fiscal year 2018 (2017: 4; 
2016:  0).  6  aircraft  have  been  financed  through  euro-denominated  12  year  amortising  commercial  debt 
transactions. 

The  following  table  sets  out  the  total  future  minimum  payments  of  leasing  the  remaining  16  aircraft 

(2017: 22 aircraft; 2016: 26 aircraft) under JOLCOs at March 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively: 

2018 

At March 31,  
2017 

2016 

  Present 
  value of 

  Present 
  value of 
  Minimum    Minimum    Minimum    Minimum    Minimum    Minimum 
  payments    payments    payments    payments    payments    payments 

  Present 
  value of 

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 

€M 
 129.4   
 199.7   
 —   
 329.1   
 (2.9)   
 326.2   

€M 
 124.5   
 178.6   
 —   
 303.1   
 (2.7)   
 300.4   

€M 
 131.5   
 327.9   
 —   
 459.4   
 (2.9)   
 456.5   

€M 
 126.5   
 290.5   
 —   
 417.0   
 (2.7)   
 414.3   

€M 
 110.6   
 460.1   
 —   
 570.7   
 (5.4)   
 565.3   

€M 
 106.4 
 401.7 
 — 
 508.1 
 (5.0) 
 503.1 

Commitments resulting from the use of derivative financial instruments by the Company are described 

in Notes 4 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements. 

197 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
     
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Contingencies 

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 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.  

 Since  2002,  the  European  Commission  has  examined  the  agreements  between  Ryanair  and  various 
airports  to  establish  whether  they  constituted  illegal  state  aid.  In  many  cases,  the  European  Commission  has 
concluded that the agreements did not constitute state aid. In other cases, Ryanair has successfully challenged the 
EU commission finding that there was state aid.  In July and October 2014, the European Commission announced 
findings of state aid to Ryanair in its arrangements with Pau, Nimes, Angouleme, Altenburg and Zweibrücken 
airports, ordering Ryanair to repay a total of approximately €9.9 million of alleged aid.  In July and November 
2016, the European Commission announced findings of state aid to Ryanair in its arrangements with Cagliari and 
Klagenfurt  respectively,  ordering  Ryanair  to  repay  approximately  €12.6  million  of  alleged  aid.  Ryanair  has 
appealed  the  seven  “aid”  decisions  to  the  EU  General  Court.  These  appeal  proceedings  are  expected  to  take 
between two and four years.   

Ryanair is facing similar legal challenges with respect to agreements with certain other airports, notably 
Paris (Beauvais), La Rochelle, Carcassonne, Girona, Reus,  Târgu Mureș and Montpellier. These investigations 
are ongoing and Ryanair currently expects that they will conclude in late 2018, with any European Commission 
decisions appealable to the EU General Court. 

Ryanair is also facing an allegation that it has benefited from unlawful state aid in a German court case 

in relation to its arrangements with Frankfurt (Hahn). 

Adverse rulings in the above or similar cases 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  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. 

23.         Note to cash flow statement 

Net (debt)/funds at beginning of year 
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in year 
(Decrease) in financial assets > 3 months 
Decrease/(increase) in restricted cash 
Translation on U.S. dollar denominated debt 
Net cash flow from decrease/(increase) in debt 
Movement in net funds resulting from cash flows 
Net (debt)/funds at end of year 
Analysed as: 
Cash and cash equivalents, financial assets and restricted cash 
Total borrowings* 
Net funds/(debt) 

* 

includes both current and non-current maturities of debt 

198 

2018 
€M 

 (244.2)   
 291.0   
 (774.0)   
 22.8   
 27.8   
 393.7   
 (38.7)   
 (282.9)   

At March 31,  
2017 
€M 
 311.5   
 (35.2)   
 (157.8)   
 (1.2)   
 (15.2)   
 (346.3)   
 (555.7)   
 (244.2)   

2016 
€M 
 364.3 
 74.6 
 (542.3) 
 6.3 
 23.7 
 384.9 
 (52.8) 
 311.5 

 3,680.1   

 4,140.3   

 4,334.5 
    (3,963.0)     (4,384.5)     (4,023.0) 
 311.5 

 (244.2)   

 (282.9)   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
   
  
  
 
The following table outlines the changes in the carrying value of liabilities from financing activities (and their 

related hedges) between March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018: 

At March 31, 
2017 

      Cash flows 

Foreign 
exchange 
changes 

Fair value 
changes 

At March 31, 
2018 

 €M  
     (4,384.5) 

 €M  
         393.7  

 €M  
           27.8    

 €M  
              —  

 €M  
      (3,963.0) 

           11.8    
            (3.9)   

0.3 
              —  

                —  
                —  

           (12.1)  
             (2.8)   

              —  
(6.7)  

Long term debt 

Derivatives hedging long 
term debt 
- of which assets 
- of which liabilities 

24.         Shareholder returns 

In the year ended March 31, 2018 the Company bought back 46.7 million ordinary shares at a total cost 
of approximately  €829  million. This buyback  was equivalent to approximately  3.8% of the Company's issued 
share capital at March 31, 2018. All of these repurchased ordinary shares were cancelled at March 31, 2018. 

In the year ended March 31, 2017 the Company bought back 72.3 million ordinary shares at a total cost 
of approximately €1,018 million.  This buyback was equivalent to approximately 5.6% of the Company’s issued 
share capital at March 31, 2016. All of these repurchased ordinary shares were cancelled at March 31, 2017. 

In the year ended March 31, 2016 the Company bought back 53.7 million ordinary shares at a total cost 
of approximately €706.1 million.  This is equivalent to approximately 4.2% of the Company’s issued share capital 
at March 31, 2016. 53.2 million of these ordinary shares were cancelled at March 31, 2016. The remaining  0.5 
million ordinary shares were cancelled on April 1, 2016.  

As a result of the share buybacks, in the  year ended March 31, 2018, share capital decreased by 46.7 
million ordinary shares (72.8 million ordinary shares in the year ended March 31, 2017) with a nominal value of 
€0.3 million (€0.4 million in the year ended March 31, 2017) and the other undenominated capital reserve increased 
by a corresponding €0.3 million (€0.4 million in the year ended March 31, 2017). The other undenominated capital 
reserve is required to be created under Irish law to preserve permanent capital in the Parent Company.  

25.        Post-balance sheet events 

Between April 1, 2018 and July 19, 2018, the Company had bought back 20.1 million ordinary shares at 
a total cost of €320.1 million under its €750M share buyback which commenced in February 2018.  This was 
equivalent to 1.7% of the Company’s issued share capital at March 31, 2018.  All ordinary shares repurchased are 
cancelled. 

In April 2018, the Company announced that it has converted 25 Boeing 737-MAX-200 options into firm 
orders.  This brings the Company’s firm order to 135 Boeing 737-MAX-200s with a further 75 options remaining. 

In  April  2018,  the  Company  purchased  24.9%  of  LaudaMotion.    On  July  12,  2018  the  European 
Commission approved Ryanair’s proposed acquisition of a further 50.1% interest in LaudaMotion, clearing the 
way for Ryanair to increase its holding to 75%. 

199 

 
     
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26.         Subsidiary undertakings and related party transactions 

The following is the principal subsidiary undertaking of Ryanair Holdings plc: 

Name 

Effective date of 
  acquisition/incorporation   

Registered 
Office 

      Nature of 
Business 

Ryanair DAC (a) 

  23/08/1996 (acquisition)   Airside Business Park, 

  Airline operator 

Swords, Co. Dublin, 
Ireland 

(a)  Ryanair DAC 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 316(1) of the Irish Companies Act, 2014. 

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, 2018, 2017 and 2016. 

The  total  amount  of  remuneration  paid  to  senior  key  management  (defined  as  the  Executive  team 
reporting to the Board of  Directors) amounted to €9.7 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 (2017: 
€10.5 million; 2016: €10.3 million), the majority of which comprises short-term employee benefits. 

  Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2017 
€M 

2016 
€M 

2018 
€M 

Basic salary and bonus 
Pension contributions 
Share-based compensation expense 

27.         Date of approval 

 6.7   
 0.2   
 2.8   
 9.7   

 7.5   
 0.2   
 2.8   
 10.5   

 7.0 
 0.2 
 3.1 
 10.3 

The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on July 

20, 2018. 

200 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
Company Balance Sheet 

At March 31, 

Note 

2018 
€M 

2017 
€M 

2016 
€M 

Non-current assets 
Investments 

Current assets 
Loans and receivables from subsidiaries  
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Amounts due to subsidiaries 

Shareholders’ equity  
Issued share capital 
Share premium account 
Other undenominated capital reserve 
Retained earnings 
Other reserves  

Shareholders’ equity 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

29 

30 

31 

129.2 

117.4 

111.7 

1,385.3 
7.7 

920.2 
7.1 

1,189.5 
5.8 

          1,522.2 

          1,044.7 

1,307.0 

35.2 

35.2 

35.2 

7.0 
719.4 
3.0 
736.3 
21.3 

7.3 
719.4 
2.7 
265.3 
14.9 

7.7 
719.4 
2.3 
540.5 
1.9 

1,487.0 

1,009.6 

1,271.8 

1,522.2 

1,044.7 

1,307.0 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

On behalf of the Board 

D. Bonderman  
Director 

  July 20, 2018. 

M. O’Leary 
Director 

201 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
               
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Cash Flows 

Operating activities 
Profit for the year. 
Net cash provided by operating activities 

Investing activities 
(Increase) in investments 
(Increase)/decrease in loans to subsidiaries 

Net cash (used in)/from investing activities 

Financing activities 
Shareholders returns 

Net proceeds from shares issued 

Net cash (used in) financing activities 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  

Year ended 
March 31, 
2018 
€M 

Year ended 
March 31, 
2017 
€M 

Year ended 
March 31, 
2016 
€M 

1,300.1 
1,300.1 

(5.4) 
(465.0) 

(470.4) 

750.0 
750.0 

- 
269.2 

269.2 

1,199.7 
1,199.7 

- 
(93.6) 

(93.6) 

(829.1) 

(1,017.9) 

(1,104.0) 

-                   

                  - 

0.8 

(829.1) 

(1,017.9) 

(1,103.2) 

0.6 

7.1 

7.7 

1.3 

5.8 

7.1 

2.9 

2.9 

5.8 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

202 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity 

Ordinary 
Shares 
M 

- 
- 

the 

1,377.7 

- 
1,290.7 

(53.2) 
(0.3) 
- 

0.3 
(33.8) 
- 
- 

Balance at March 31, 2015 
Comprehensive income 
Profit for the year 
Total comprehensive income 
Transactions  with  owners  of 
Company, recognised directly in equity 
Issue of ordinary equity shares 
Share capital reorganization 
Share-based payments 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares 
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary  
Shares 
Treasury shares cancelled 
Dividend paid 
Transfer  of  exercised  and  expired  share 
based awards 
Balance at March 31, 2016 
Comprehensive income 
Profit for the year 
Total comprehensive income 
Transactions  with 
Company, recognised directly in equity 
Share-based payments 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares 
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary  
Shares 
Cancellation of treasury shares 
Balance at March 31, 2017 
Comprehensive income 
Profit for the year 
Total comprehensive income 
Transactions  with  owners  of 
Company, recognised directly in equity 
Issue of ordinary equity shares 
Share-based payments 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares 
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary  
(46.7) 
shares 
Balance at March 31, 2018……………..  1,217.9 

(72.3) 
(0.5) 

1,217.9 

owners 

the    

- 
- 
- 

the 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

of 

Share 
Issued 
Share 
Retained 
Premium 
Capital  Account  Earnings 
€M 
718.6 

€M 
440.4 

€M 

8.7 

- 
- 

- 
(0.7) 
- 
- 

(0.3) 
- 
- 

- 
7.7 

- 
- 

- 
- 

(0.4) 
- 

7.3 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

1,199.7 
1,199.7 

0.8 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
719.4 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

719.4 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
(698.8) 

- 
(3.2) 
(397.9) 

0.3 
540.5 

750.0 
750.0 

- 
(1,017.9) 

- 
(7.3) 

265.3 

1,300.1 
1,300.1 

- 
- 
(829.1) 

Other 
Undenom- 
inated 
Capital 
€M 

Other 
Reserves 
€M 

1.3 

0.4 

Total 
€M 
1,169.4 

- 
- 

- 
0.7 
- 
- 

0.3 
- 
- 

- 
2.3 

- 
- 

- 
- 

0.4 
- 

2.7 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

1,199.7 
1,199.7 

- 
- 
5.9 
(7.3) 

- 
3.2 
- 

0.8 
- 
5.9 
(706.1) 

- 
- 
(397.9) 

(0.3) 
1.9 

- 
1,271.8 

- 
- 

5.7 
- 

- 
7.3 

750.0 
750.0 

5.7 
(1,017.9) 

- 
- 

14.9 

1,009.6 

- 
- 

1,300.1 
1,300.1 

- 
6.4 
- 

- 
6.4 
(829.1) 

(0.3) 
7.0 

- 
719.4 

- 
736.3 

0.3 
3.0 

- 
21.3 

- 
1,487.0 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

203 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes forming part of the Company Financial Statements 

28         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, 2018.  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 Act, 2014.  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 
and other investments 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  Act, 2014.  On publishing parent entity  financial  statements  together  with 
group financial statements the Company is taking advantage of the exemption contained in Section 304 of the 
Companies Act, 2014 not to present its individual income statement,  statement of comprehensive income and 
related notes that form a part of these approved financial statements. 

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 14 (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  and  other  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 33 to these 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. 

29    Investments 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2018 
€M 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2017 
€M 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2016 
€M 

Balance at start of year 
Increase in investments 
New investments in subsidiaries by way of share option grant 
to subsidiary employees 
Balance at end of year 

117.4 
5.4 

6.4 
129.2 

117.7 
- 

5.7 
117.4 

105.8 
- 

5.9 
111.7 

30    Loans and receivables from subsidiaries 

Due from Ryanair DAC (subsidiary) 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2018 
€M 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2017 
€M 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2016 
€M 

1,385.3 
1,385.3 

920.2 
920.2 

1,189.3 
1,189.3 

All amounts due from subsidiaries are interest free and repayable upon demand. 

31   Amounts due to subsidiaries 

Due to Ryanair DAC (subsidiary) 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2018 

€M 

35.2 
35.2 

Year  ended  
March 31, 
2017 
€M 

Year  
ended  
March 31, 
2016 
€M 

35.2 
35.2 

35.2 
35.2 

At March 31, 2018, Ryanair Holdings plc had borrowings of €35.2 million (2017: €35.2 million; 2016: €35.2 

million) from Ryanair DAC. The loan is interest free and repayable on demand.  

205 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32    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. 

Amounts due to or from subsidiary undertakings (primarily Ryanair DAC) 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 30 
and  32  of  these  Company  financial  statements.  These  inter-company  balances  are  eliminated  in  the  group 
consolidation. 

The euro is the functional and presentation currency of the Company 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.  Ryanair has received a BBB+ (stable) credit rating from both Standard and Poor’s and 
Fitch Ratings.  Additionally the Company had guaranteed certain subsidiary company liabilities. Details of these 
arrangements are given in Note 33 of these Company financial statements. 

33    Contingencies 

 a)  The  Company  has  provided  €4,118.2  million  (2017:  €5,055.2  million;  2016:  €5,274.6  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 357 of the Companies Act, 2014, 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 requirement to annex their statutory 
financial statements to their annual returns. Details of the Group’s principal subsidiaries have been included at 
Note 26. The Irish subsidiaries of the Group covered by the Section 357 exemption are listed at Note 26 to the 
consolidated financial statements also. Eight additional Irish subsidiaries covered by this exemption, which are 
not listed as principal subsidiaries at Note 26 to the consolidated financial statements include Airport Marketing 
Services Limited. 

34    Dividends  

Please refer to Note 24 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

35  Post-balance sheet events 

Please refer to Note 25 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

36  Date of approval 

The Company financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on July 

20, 2018. 

206 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors 

Directors and Other Information 

D. Bonderman 
R. Brennan 
M. Cawley 
E. Daly 
S. McCarthy 
C. McCreevy 
D. McKeon 
K. McLaughlin 
H. Millar 
D. Milliken 
M. O’Brien 
M. O’Leary 
J. O’Neill 
L. Phelan 

Chairman 

Chief Executive 

Secretary 

J. Komorek 

Registered Office 

Auditors 

Principal Bankers 

Solicitors &Attorneys at Law 

Ryanair Dublin Office 
Airside Business Park 
Swords 
Co. Dublin 
K67 NY94 
Ireland 

KPMG – Chartered Accountants 
1 Stokes Place 
St. Stephens Green 
Dublin 2 
DO2 DE03 
Ireland 

Citibank Europe Plc 
1 North Wall Quay 
Dublin 1 
Ireland 

Philip Lee Solicitors 
7/8 Wilton Terrace 
Dublin 2 

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 have the meanings indicated below and refer only to Ryanair’s scheduled passenger service. 

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 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. 

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 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 Passengers Booked 

Represents the number of fare-paying passengers booked. 

Sectors Flown 

Represents the number of passenger flight sectors flown. 

208