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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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FY2019 Annual Report · Ryanair Holdings plc
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PAGE  CONTENTS 
assets   
assets   
  Financial Summary 

2 

3 

4 

6 

11 

15 

30 

37 

41 

43 

48 

50 

53 

59 

73 

96 

99 

  Key Statistics 

  Chairman’s Report 

  Group 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 

119 

  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions 

120 

  Financial Information 

126 

  Additional Information 

137 

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

142 

  Controls and Procedures 

145 

  Consolidated Financial Statements 

196 

  Company Financial Statements 

202 

  Directors and Other Information 

203 

  Appendix 

*See Index on page 50 to 52 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.  

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2 

 
3 

 
Chairman’s Report 

Dear Shareholders, 

Last year we made significant progress in growing Ryanair as Europe’s largest airline group. We aim to carry 200m guests 
per annum over the next 5 years.  Highlights of the year include: 

•  Traffic grew 9% to over 142m guests 
•  Avg. air fares were cut 6% to €37 
•  Revenue rose 6% to €7.6bn. as ancillary revenue increased by 11% per guest  
•  Ryanair Sun (“Buzz”) was launched and traded profitably in its first year  
•  We acquired 100% of Lauda, and transformed its fleet and operations 
•  We negotiated union agreements in most of our key markets 
•  We took delivery of 29 B737s and 16 A320s while investing in our business for future growth 
•  We took decisive actions to improve on-time-performance (despite record ATC disruptions) 
•  We continued to deliver our environmental targets and now publish CO2 data monthly  
•  Over €560m was returned to shareholders via share buy-backs 

At a time of excess capacity in the European short-haul market, Ryanair’s cost leadership, and strong balance sheet, means 
that we are well placed to take advantage of the growth opportunities that will arise as airlines consolidate and/or exit the 
market.    In  May,  your  Board  approved  a  further  €700m  share  buy-back  program  which  will,  depending  on  market 
conditions, run for 9 to 12 months.  Following this latest distribution, Ryanair will have returned €7bn to shareholders 
since 2008. 

The Board, in conjunction with management, are closely monitoring delivery delays to the Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft.  
Subject to FAA and EASA regulatory approval, we hope to receive our first “gamechanger” aircraft sometime between 
January and February 2020.  Ryanair is therefore planning summer 2020 capacity on the basis of having 30 MAX aircraft, 
rather than the 58 originally scheduled, which will slow down growth from approximately 7% to approximately 3% in 
fiscal year 2021 where we will now carry 157m guests instead of the 162m previously expected. 

As already announced, Michael O’Leary has agreed a new 5-year contract as Group CEO, which secures his services for 
the Group until at least July 2024.  We welcome his agreement to commit for a further 5-year period, which gives certainty 
to our shareholders.  Both Kyran McLaughlin and I have agreed to lead the Board until summer 2020, but we do not wish 
to be considered for re-election at the September 2020 AGM.  In order to ensure a smooth succession, Stan McCarthy 
(who joined the Board in May 2017) agreed to become Deputy Chairman from April 2019 and will transition to Chairman 
of  the  Board  next  year.    Stan  brings  enormous  international  experience  (as  a  former  CEO  of  Kerry  Group  plc)  and 
leadership skills to the development of Ryanair over the coming years. Louise Phelan (who joined the Board in December 
2012) has agreed to become Senior Independent Director when Kyran McLaughlin retires from the Board in summer 2020. 

I wish to thank the 16,800 highly skilled aviation professionals across the Ryanair Group who strive, on behalf of our 
142m guests, each year, to deliver the lowest fares, the best on-time performance and the greenest, cleanest air travel with 
an ever-improving customer experience for the benefit of our customers, our people and our shareholders.  

Yours sincerely, 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
David Bonderman 

Our 2019 AGM will be the last under the Chairmanship of David Bonderman. David became an investor in, and Director 
of, Ryanair in August 1996 when we operated just 12 aircraft, carried 3m passengers annually, and employed just over 
600 people. Under David’s leadership over the last 24 years Ryanair has grown to operate a fleet of over 450 aircraft, we 
carry 3m passengers each week, and we employ over 16,800 highly skilled aviation professionals. None of this would have 
been achieved without David’s experience, leadership and expertise. His guidance as Chairman was key to our flotation 
in May 1997, our first new aircraft order for 25 Boeing 737-800s, and every follow-on order since. He has guided the 
Board and Management of Ryanair over the last 24 years  with great wisdom and insight making us today the world’s 
largest  international  airline.  The  people,  passengers,  and  shareholders  of  Ryanair  owe  David  an  enormous  debt  of 
gratitude, and on their behalf, I say a very sincere thank you to David for his time, his help and his support over the last 
24 years. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with him.  

Michael O’Leary  
Group CEO  

5 

 
 
 
 
Dear Shareholders, 

Group Chief Executive’s Report 

We are pleased to present Ryanair’s 2019 Annual Report, which covers a year of significant challenges. Overcapacity in 
Europe and our continuing growth saw average  fares fall 6% but this stimulated traffic growth of 9% to 142m guests. 
Ancillaries performed well with spend up 11% per guest. We faced a number of cost challenges including higher oil prices, 
a step up in payroll costs under new 5 year pay deals for pilots and cabin crew, and an extraordinary jump in our EU261 
costs due to repeated ATC strikes and staff shortages through summer 2018. As a direct result of these lower air fares, our 
full year profits fell 39% to €885m (€1.02bn excl. Laudamotion start-up losses). This was a reasonable performance by a 
robust business model in difficult trading circumstances. Despite these headwinds, we delivered an industry leading 96% 
load factor, concluded union agreements with pilots and cabin crew in most of our major markets, and returned a further 
€560m to shareholders via share buy-backs.  

Revenue and Growth  
Over the past year the Ryanair Group has delivered traffic growth of 9% to 142m passengers, mainly thanks to a 6% cut 
in average fares to €37. This delivered price savings of over €310m to our guests. Ancillaries performed well as Ryanair 
Labs continues to improve the presentation of these services, and spend rose by 11% per guest to a total of €2.4bn. summer 
2018 was a very difficult period with a heat wave in Northern Europe, the distraction of the Soccer World Cup in Russia, 
significant overcapacity in the EU market and an unprecedented series of ATC strikes and staff shortages, which caused 
thousands of flight delays and cancellations for all airlines. We responded to these conditions by judicious base closures 
(Bremen & Eindhoven) and capacity cuts at other underperforming bases. We reallocated this capacity to new country 
markets in Jordan, Turkey and Ukraine. During the past winter season, overcapacity continued to exert downward pressure 
on fares, particularly in Germany, where Lufthansa was allowed to buy the failed Air Berlin, and it has used this capacity 
to engage in below cost selling despite its dominant market position in Germany. Demand and pricing in the U.K. has also 
been dampened by continuing concerns over Brexit and slowing economic growth.  

Cost Leadership  
Ryanair continues to deliver the lowest unit cost of any EU airline and the cost gap between us and our competitors has 
widened over the last  year. Despite this, our costs rose  16% in FY19 driven  mainly by higher oil prices (our fuel bill 
jumped 28%, up over €500m), our payroll jumped 28% (up over €200m) mainly due to 20% pilot pay increases, and our 
EU261 cost jumped 44% (up over €50m) due to repeated ATC staff shortages and strikes in summer 2018. Despite these 
increases, we remain significantly lower cost on a per passenger basis than any of our competitors, and this enables us to 
offer lower fares, while still delivering industry leading margins. We expect to deliver flat or slightly lower unit costs over 
the coming years, particularly as the Boeing MAX deliveries ramp up, these aircraft deliver 4% more seats but 16% lower 
fuel consumption. They form a critical component of our cost efficiency for the next 5 years.  

6 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Group Airlines  
The past year has witnessed considerable turmoil in the airline business. Higher oil prices and lower fares caused a wave 
of failures last winter including Primera, Small Planet, Azur, Germania, VLM, Cobalt, Flybmi and Wow. Both Alitalia 
and Thomas Cook are re-structuring and are currently for sale. We expect further failures this winter if oil prices remain 
elevated, and air fares continue to fall. The identity and timing of these failures is difficult to predict but we expect this 
trend of EU airline failures will accelerate in winter 2019.  

We have made good progress in developing our Group airlines. Buzz (formerly Ryanair Sun) operated 5 aircraft in the 
Polish charter market last year, but did so profitably. This summer, Buzz has grown to 7 aircraft in the charter market, and 
operates 17 of Ryanair’s scheduled aircraft all based in Poland. In April 2018, we acquired a 25% interest in Laudamotion 
and this rose to 100% in December 2018. Lauda suffered a very difficult first year of operations due to the late delivery of 
9, very expensive, lease aircraft from Lufthansa,  which meant they released their summer 2018 schedule at very short 
notice with seats being sold at very low prices, and caused Lauda to lose almost €140m in its first full year of operation. 
The team at Lauda, with the support of Ryanair, have now replaced these expensive Lufthansa aircraft with a fleet of 20 
lower cost A320 operating leases and this, together with significant growth in Vienna and a new base in Palma, will see 
Lauda significantly cut these losses in its second year. We believe Laudamotion is on track to be profitable in its 3 rd year 
of  activity,  which  will  be  a  very  significant  turnaround  in  a  short  period  of  time  by  the  small  management  team  in 
Laudamotion assisted by Ryanair’s low fare business model and buying power.  

In June 2019, we purchased Malta Air from the Government of Malta. This airline will take over and rebrand the 6 Ryanair 
aircraft currently based in Malta, but they  will also operate Ryanair’s 737 aircraft based in Germany, Italy and France 
which will allow our pilots and cabin crew in those countries to pay their taxes in their country of residence, as opposed 
to paying them in Ireland, which was required under Irish law while these aircraft were on the Irish AOC. Moving these 
crews to local taxation and local contracts of employment, is central to the agreements we reached with our people and 
our unions in each of these countries.  

We believe this new Group structure gives Ryanair more flexibility to implement local contracts and local taxation for our 
people, but also delivers lower operating costs for the Group. Laudamotion offers the Group future growth opportunities 
on Airbus aircraft, while Ryanair, Buzz and Malta Air will continue to grow using Boeing aircraft. Each of these 4 airlines 
will compete with each other for the allocation of aircraft and capital over the coming years, which will deliver superior 
returns for the Group and our shareholders. 

Always Getting Better (AGB) 2019 
Our AGB Customer Experience program continues to deliver real benefits for our guests. We invested heavily last year to 
improve  punctuality  and  resilience  despite  the  challenges  of  frequent  ATC  staff  shortages  and  strikes.  We  replaced 
underperforming handling providers at Stansted, in Spain and Poland, and we invested in additional ground equipment 
and more spare aircraft. These efforts have already delivered a 10% point improvement in our on-time performance in the 
first 6 months of 2019 over 2018, with a remarkable 80% reduction in the number of cancelled flights during the same 
period.  

In February 2019 Ryanair launched its 2019 Customer Care Improvements to enhance our customer proposition. This 
campaign is driven by the principle of “More Choice, Lower Fares & Great Care” and introduces a number of new value-
add initiatives including:  

•  Lowest Fares - Credit to the customer’s “MyRyanair” account if they find a cheaper fare within 3 hours;  

•  Punctuality - We deliver 90% OTP (excl. ATC) or we cut 5% off the following month’s air fares;  

7 

 
 
 
 
•  Customer Care Charter - We process EU261 claims within 10 days and customer support moves to year round 

24/7 availability, 7 days a week; and, 

•  Care Improvements - New 48-hour grace period for changes to bookings. 

Brexit  
The challenge of Brexit, and in particular the risk of a “no deal” Brexit remains worryingly high. We hope that Brexit will 
be delivered by agreement between the U.K. and the European Union, which will minimise disruption to both the U.K. 
and the EU economy. However, Brexit is causing considerable political uncertainty in the U.K., it has damaged investment, 
economic activity, and consumer confidence, and has been a major contributor to the weakness of air fares and consumer 
demand for flights from/to the U.K.  

We welcome the fact that the U.K. and EU have put in place temporary measures, which will allow flights to continue 
without disruption for a period of 9 months after a “no deal” Brexit. However, this will not remove longer term challenges 
over flight rights and/or ownership restrictions until a trade agreement covering aviation is concluded. As an EU airline, 
we believe Ryanair will be less affected by a no deal Brexit than U.K. based airlines, but we still expect adverse trading 
consequences. We have put in place the necessary legal measures both to restrict non-EU shareholder voting rights, and 
restrict  non-EU  share  sales  for  a  short  period  of  months  (after  a  hard  Brexit),  so  we  will  ensure  that  Ryanair  remains 
majority owned and controlled within the European Union, and therefore we expect all our 4 AOC’s in Ireland, Poland, 
Austria and Malta will continue to operate freely.  

Boeing 737 MAX Delays    
We regret the delivery delay of our first 5 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which were expected in spring 2019. The grounding 
of the MAX, and our expectation that we will now not receive the first of these aircraft until January or February 2020, 
means  we are  planning  for summer 2020 on the basis of 30 new aircraft deliveries rather than the original plan of 58 
deliveries. We expect this will slow our growth from 10m to 5m incremental guests in FY21 and we are working through 
plans for judicious base cuts and closures in winter 2019 to accommodate this curtailed summer 2020 fleet and schedule. 

We  remain  a  big  supporter  of  the  Boeing  MAX  aircraft.  They  have  flown  successfully  for  some  18  months  in  North 
America and Europe, and so we expect their grounding to be temporary, while Boeing and the Regulatory Agencies work 
to deliver absolute confidence in the safety of these superb aircraft. The MAX 200 delivers 4% more seats, but at 16% 
lower fuel consumption than our existing B737 fleet. These are truly game changing numbers, and will be critical to our 
ability to lower costs and pass on more savings in the form of lower fares to our customers for the next 5 years.  

Our Environment  
Over the last year, Ryanair has invested heavily in our Environmental Programs. We have committed to going plastic free 
within 5 years, we have launched an industry leading offset program as part of our booking process, we have moved to 
paperless systems most notably electronic flight bags in the cockpit, and we are investing billions of dollars in new, more 
efficient aircraft that will carry more guests but at significantly lower fuel consumption and noise emissions.  

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ryanair is proud of its green heritage. We are independently ranked as the 
greenest,  cleanest  airline  in  Europe.  We  are  the  first  airline  to  publish 
monthly emissions figures,  which have fallen some 20% over the last 10 
years, and will, we expect, fall by a further 15% over the next decade. We 
are also investing substantial sums with climate action partners in Africa, 
Portugal and Ireland.  

These efforts were recently verified by Eurocontrol, who have confirmed 
that Ryanair, despite carrying considerably more passengers than any other 
EU airline, ranks only 5th in CO₂ emissions (see table below). Passengers 
flying  on  Ryanair  have  already  chosen  to  minimise  their  impact  on  the 
environment  by  switching  from  other,  less  environmentally  efficient 
airlines. We oppose environmental taxes on aviation firstly, because they 
don’t work (the funds are simply grabbed by Government for general use), 
but  more  importantly,  because  it  is  a  tax  on  poor  people  and  on  the 
peripheral  regions  of  Europe.  Citizens  in  Ireland,  the  U.K.,  Malta  and 
Cyprus  do  not  have  alternative  train  or  bicycle  options.  Citizens  of 
peripheral EU countries, such as the Baltic States, Portugal and Spain, must 
fly  if  they  wish  to  integrate  with  the  rest  of  the  European  Union. 
Environmental taxes discourages this free movement of Europe’s citizens, 
while  doing  nothing  to  cut  emissions.  Aviation  is  already  Europe’s  most 
efficient form of mass transport and the European Union should encourage 
its citizens to fly more and drive less, as that would make a real difference 
to the environment and our planet.  

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In FY19, Ryanair paid over €540m in environmental taxes 
to Europe’s Governments. This figure will rise to €630m in 
FY20.  At  more  than  €4  per  passenger  ticket,  Ryanair’s 
customers  are  already  paying  a  disproportionate  and 
regressive  amount  of  environmental  taxes.  If  Europe’s 
Governments really want to tackle emissions on air travel 
then  they  can  do  so  by  eliminating  Air  Traffic  Control 
(ATC)  delays  and  rerouting  which  currently  account  for 
more than 10% of aviation CO₂ emissions in Europe.  

Our People  
Last year, Ryanair created 2,200 new jobs as our headcount grew to over 16,840 highly skilled aviation professionals. We 
promoted  more  than  1,000  team  members  to  more  senior  positions.  Our  new  Group  Airlines  in  Buzz  (880  people), 
Laudamotion (800 people) and Malta Air (270 people) will create new opportunities for internal promotions, and also 
create mobility for our talented professionals to develop their careers in all aspects of the airline business.  

By 2024, we expect our Group airlines to carry over 200m guests p.a., and this will allow us to create a further 5,000 jobs 
within the Group while sustaining more than 150,000 support jobs in airports across Europe. Our people remain one of 
our most important assets, and we continue to invest heavily in recruitment  and training so that we hire the best talent 
available, but also try to reach the highest possible standards both professionally and in the delivery of Ryanair’s customer 
experience, while we bring low fare competition and choice to new and existing markets across Europe.  

Our Shareholders 
Last year was a challenging one for our shareholders. Despite the decline in the share price, which was better than and/or 
in line with industry peers, we delivered further share buy-backs of over €560m. In March 2019, we announced another 
€700m share buy-back. When this latest buy-back is completed, we will, over the last decade, have bought and retired 
some 31% of Ryanair’s equity at an average price of just over €10.  

We remain confident that the cyclical factors, which have affected our earnings and profitability over the last year, namely 
higher oil prices, over capacity and lower air fares, will work its way out of the system over the next year or two and those 
shareholders who continued to support our business, will be rewarded with better returns. Rest assured, we will continue 
to strive to grow our low fare airline group safely, and in the best interest of our customers, our people and our shareholders. 
Thank you all for your continuing support. 

Michael O’Leary  
Group CEO  

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report 

Introduction 

The  Directors  present  their  Annual  Report  and  financial  statements  of  Ryanair  Holdings  plc  (“the  Company”), 
incorporated in the Republic of Ireland, and its subsidiaries (with the Company and the subsidiaries being together “the 
Group”) for the year ended March 31, 2019. 

Review of business activities and future developments in the business 

The  Company  operates  a  low  fares/low  cost,  short  haul  airline  business  and  plans  to  develop  this  activity  by 
expanding its successful formula on new and existing routes. Information on the Company is set out on pages 73 to 96. 
A review of the Company’s operations for the year is set out on pages 96 to 110. 

Results for the year 

Results for the year are set out in the consolidated income statement on page 147 and in the related notes. 

Principal risks and uncertainties 

Details of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company are detailed on pages 59 to 73. 

Key performance indicators 

The key performance indicators of the business are set out on pages 58; 73 to 96; and 96 to 110. 

Financial risk management 

Details of the Company’s financial risk management policies and exposures to market risk are set out in Note 11 

on pages 169 to 179. 

Share capital 

The number of ordinary shares in issue at March 31, 2019 was 1,133,395,322 (2018: 1,171,142,985; and 2017:  
1,217,870,999).  Details of the classes of shares in issue and the related rights and obligations are set out in Note 15 on 
pages 182 to 184. 

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, 2019, the Company had a team of 16,840 aviation professionals, compared to 14,583 at March 31, 

2018 and 13,026 at March 31, 2017.  

Substantial interests in share capital 

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

capital, are set out on page 119. At March 31, 2019 the free float in shares was 95.3%. 

11 

Directors and Company Secretary 

The names of the Directors are listed on pages 111 and 112. The Company Secretary is listed on page 116. Details 

of the appointment and re-election of Directors are set out on page 16.  

Interests of Directors and Company Secretary  

The Directors and Company Secretary who held office at March 31, 2019 had no interests other than those outlined 

in Note 19(d) on page 188 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 27 on page 194. Details of total 
remuneration paid to the Directors is set out in Note 19 on pages 187 to 189. 

Executive Director’s service contract 

In February 2019, Michael O’Leary signed a 5-year contract as Group CEO, commencing on April 1, 2019, which 
commits him to the Company until July 31, 2024.  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 121. 

Share buy-back 

 In the year ended March 31, 2019 the Company bought back 37.8m ordinary shares at a total cost of €561m.  These 
buy-backs were equivalent to approximately 3.2% of the Company’s issued share capital at March 31, 2018. All of these 
repurchased shares were cancelled at March 31, 2019.  

In the year ended March 31, 2018 the Company bought back 44.7m shares at a total cost of €790m under its share 
buy-back program and 2.0m shares underlying ADRs at a total cost of €39m under its €150m “Evergreen” ADR buy-
back program.  These buy-backs 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.   

As a result of the share buy-backs, in the year ended March 31, 2019, share capital decreased by 37.8m ordinary 
shares (46.7M ordinary shares in the year ended March 31, 2018) with a nominal value of €0.2m (€0.3m in the year 
ended March 31, 2018) and the capital redemption reserve increased by a corresponding €0.2m (€0.3m in the year ended 
March 31, 2018). The capital redemption reserve is required to be created under Irish law to preserve permanent capital 
in the Parent Company.  

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. 

12 

 
 
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 41 to 42. They 

have also considered the going concern position of the Company and their conclusion is set out on page 28. 

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, 2019 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 117 to 118 for details of employee and labor relations.  
See pages 93 to 95 for details on environmental policies.  
See page 143 for details of Ryanair’s Code of Ethics. 

Air safety 

Commitment to air safety is a priority of the Company. See page 83 for details. 

Critical accounting policy 

Details of the Company’s critical accounting policy is set out on page 99. 

Subsidiary companies 

Details of the principal subsidiary undertakings are disclosed in Note 27 on page 194. 

Political contributions 

During the financial  years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 the Company  made no political contributions 

which require disclosure under the Electoral Act, 1997. 

Corporate Governance Statement 

The Corporate Governance Statement on pages 15 to 29 forms part of the Directors’ Report. 

Post balance sheet events 

Details of significant post balance sheet events are set out in Note 26 on page 194. 

Auditor 

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

continue in office. 

13 

Annual General Meeting 

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on September 19, 2019 in the CityNorth Hotel and Conference 

Centre, Gormanstown, Co. Meath, K32 W562, Ireland. 

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 
July 26, 2019 

Michael O’Leary 
Group Chief Executive 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Report 

Ryanair has its primary listing on Euronext Dublin, 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, 
2019.  This Report also covers the disclosure requirements set out in the Irish Corporate Governance Annex to the Listing 
Rules of Euronext Dublin, 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 Euronext Dublin’s website, www.euronext.com. In July 2018, the Financial 
Reporting Council released the 2018 U.K. Corporate Governance Code (The “2018 Code”). The 2018 Code applies to 
accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, and therefore will be applicable to Ryanair for the year ended 
March 31, 2020. 

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 Group CEO and the Senior Management team. There is 
a clear division of responsibilities between the Chairman and the  Group 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 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 Group 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 page 111), the Board considers that these do not 
interfere with the discharge of his duties to Ryanair.  Mr. Bonderman has notified the Company that he plans to retire from 
the Board in summer 2020 and he will not seek reelection at the September 2020 AGM. 

Deputy Chairman 

The Board appointed Stan McCarthy as Deputy Chairman from April 1, 2019. Mr. McCarthy has served as a Director 

since May 2017.  

Senior Independent Director 

The  Board has appointed Kyran McLaughlin as the  Senior Independent Director.  Mr McLaughlin is available to 
shareholders who have concerns that cannot be addressed through the Chairman, Group CEO or CFO and leads the annual 
Board review of the performance of the Chairman. Mr. McLaughlin has advised the Company that he plans to retire from 
the Board in summer 2020 and he will not seek reelection at the September 2020 AGM. He will be replaced as Senior 
Independent Director by Ms. Louise Phelan in summer 2020. 

15 

 
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. 

Membership 

The Board consists of one Executive and eleven Non-Executive Directors. It is the practice of Ryanair that a majority 
of the Board will be Non-Executives, each considered by the Board to be independent, and the Chairman is Non-Executive.  
The Board considers the current size, composition and diversity of the Board to be appropriate, and 33% of the current 
board are female.  The composition of the Board and the principal Board Committees are set out in the table below as of 
June  30,  2019.  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,  diversity,  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.  

(i) 

Roisin Brennan was appointed to the Board in May 2018. 

Appointment 

Directors are appointed following selection by the Nomination Committee and approval by the Board and must be 
elected by the shareholders at the following Annual General Meeting. 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. Roisin Brennan was appointed to the Board in May 2018. Ryanair recognises the benefits 
of diversity, including gender diversity. Ryanair’s Articles of Association require that all of the Directors retire and offer 
themselves for re-election within a three-year period.  All Directors will be offering themselves for re-election at the AGM 
on September 19, 2019. 

16 

 
 
Dick Milliken is Chairman of the Audit Committee, Howard Millar is Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 

(“Remco”) and Michael Cawley is Chairman of the Nomination Committee (“Nomco”). 

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 has concluded 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.  

17 

 
Other relevant factors 

Non-Executive Directors hold share options over a small quantity of shares as set out on page 188. 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  substantial  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 generally 
encouraged by 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 2019 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 

18 

 
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.  

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, 2019 the Board convened meetings on 13 
occasions. Individual attendance at these meetings is set out in the table on page 24. Detailed Board papers are circulated 
in advance so that Board members have adequate time and information to be able to participate fully at the meeting. 

The holding of detailed 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 19. 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 modest Directors’ fees and, from time to time, a 

modest number of share options. Full details are disclosed in Note 19(b) and 19(d) on pages 188 to 189. 

Executive Director Remuneration 

The  Group  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  base  salary  dependent  upon  the  achievement  of  certain  financial  and  personal 
targets. It is considered that the significant shareholding of the Group CEO as well as share options granted as part of 
his contract extension, acts to align his interests with those of shareholders and gives him a keen incentive to perform to 
the highest levels. Full details of the Executive Director’s remuneration are set out in Note 19(a) on page 187. 

Share Ownership and Dealing 

Details of the Directors’ interests in Ryanair shares are set out in Note 19(d) on page 188. 

The Board has adopted a code of dealing, to ensure compliance with the Listing Rules of Euronext Dublin 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  Group  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)). 

19 

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 twelve Directors. The Group CEO is the only Executive Director. The eleven Non-
Executive Directors include Chairman David Bonderman and Deputy Chairman Stan McCarthy. Biographies of all current 
Directors are set out on pages 111 to 112. 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. 

Diversity Report 

The Board is supportive of the Lord Davies’ Report and Hampton-Alexander Review target for women to represent 
33% of boards by 2020, and is pleased that as at March 31, 2019, 33% of Directors were  female. Following the Board 
changes effective from the 2020 AGM, this percentage will increase further. Diversity is a key criteria for the Board as 
part of its renewal and succession plans, and the Board appoints members based on merit without discriminating on age, 
gender, race, colour, religious or social beliefs, sexual orientation, disability or any other factors. 

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.  Kyran  McLaughlin  (Chairman),  David 
Bonderman, Stan McCarthy, 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 3 Non-Executive Directors who are independent for the purposes of the 
listing  rules  of  the  NASDAQ  and  the  U.S.  federal  securities  laws:  Dick  Milliken  (Chairman),  Emer  Daly  and  Roisin 
Brennan.  The  Board  has  determined  that  Dick  Milliken  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, 2019. Individual attendance at these meetings is set 
out in the table on page 24. The CFO, 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. 

20 

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, Annual Report and Form 20-F 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; 

21 

•  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 19 on page 187; 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  Group  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 99, 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 €3.2bn at March 31, 2019 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 28. 

22 

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, 2019 and has ensured that 
the Directors are aware of their responsibilities and fully comply with this provision. 

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, 2019, taking into account the fees paid to KPMG, and are satisfied with their effectiveness, objectivity and their 
independence. 

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, Euronext Dublin 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. 

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 
measured against the annual budget. The Board of Directors as a whole determines the remuneration and bonuses of the 
Group CEO, who is the only Executive Director. Howard Millar (Chairman), Stan McCarthy and 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 

Michael Cawley (Chairman), David Bonderman and 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; 

23 

•  establishing processes for the identification of suitable candidates for appointment to the Board; and 

•  overseeing succession planning for the Board and senior management. 

The role and responsibilities of the Nomination Committee are set out in its written terms of reference, which are 
available  on  the  Company’s  website,  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 and Security Committee 

The Board of Directors established the Air Safety and Security Committee in March 1997 to review and discuss air 
safety and related issues. The Safety and Security Committee reports to the full Board of Directors each quarter. The Safety 
and Security Committee is composed of a main board Director, Mike O’Brien and the Ryanair DAC Accountable Manager, 
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, 2019: 

(i)  Roisin Brennan was appointed to the Board in May 2018. 

24 

 
 
 
 
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  Group  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 2018 and were presented to the Board at the September 2018 Board meeting in respect of the year under 
review. The May 2019 evaluations will be presented to the Board at the September 2019 Board meeting. 

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 Group CEO, CFO, Head of Investor Relations, and other senior managers participate in these events.  

During  the  year  ended  March  31,  2019  the  Company  held  discussions  with  a  substantial  number  of  institutional 
investors, analysts, The Investor Forum, ESG advisors incl. (MSCI, Sustainalytics and ISS-Ethics) and proxy advisor firms 
(incl. ISS, Glass Lewis and PIRC). 

The Board is kept informed of the views of shareholders through the Executive Director and Senior 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, Deputy Chairman, Senior Independent 
Director and/or Chairs of other Board Committees 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 Group 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 128. In accordance with Irish company 
25 

law,  the  Company  specifies  record  dates  for  general  meetings,  by  which  date  shareholders  must  be  registered  in  the 
Register  of  Members  of  the  Company  to  be  entitled  to  attend.    Record  dates  are  specified  in  the  notes  to  the  Notice 
convening the meeting.   

Shareholders may exercise their right to vote by appointing a proxy 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  at  9  a.m.  on  September  19,  2019  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. At the 2018 AGM, discretionary proxies representing approximately 3.4% of shares were voted 
in favour of all resolutions by the meeting’s Chairman. The Company will continue to report such discretionary proxy 
voting in future Annual Reports. 

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 

26 

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 Group 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; 

•  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, 2019 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 15 on pages 182 to 184. 

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. 

27 

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.   

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 121. 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 Group 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 41 and the reporting responsibilities of the auditor are set out 
in their report on page 43. 

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 (with both standard & Poor’s and Fitch ratings), the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company, as outlined 
in the Principal Risks and Uncertainties section starting on page 59, 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. 

28 

 
 
Compliance Statement 

Ryanair has complied, throughout the year ended March 31, 2019, 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 as 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 26, 2019 

Michael O’Leary 
Group Chief Executive 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Environmental and Social Report 

Ryanair’s  Environmental  and  Social  Policy  facilitates  our  growth  objectives  while  reducing  our  environmental 
impact. 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 and social policy.  For a detailed description of corporate governance 
procedures and structures in place within the Group, please refer to the Corporate Governance statement on page 15.  

1. Environmental Policy and Carbon Emissions 

Ryanair’s low fare, customer friendly growth is being delivered in an environmentally sustainable way with 
industry leading load factors and through investing in new aircraft and engine technology while adopting the most 
efficient operations to give Ryanair the lowest CO2 per passenger km of any major EU airline. Since launching its 
Environmental  Policy  document  in  March  2018,  Ryanair  has  been  committed  to  ambitious  future  environmental 
targets that build on our impressive achievements to date, including commitments to address climate change.  

Europe’s Greenest & Cleanest Airline 

As  well as being Europe’s favourite airline, with the best 
customer service, Ryanair is Europe’s cleanest, greenest major 
airline because we:   

•  Operate only point-to-point routes with industry-leading 

(96%) load factors;  

•  Continuously  invest  in  fuel-efficient  new  aircraft  and 

improved engine technology; 

•  Conduct the most efficient operational procedures in the 

industry; 

•  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.  

Aviation is the most efficient form of mass point-to-point 
transport,  accounting  for  just  2%  of  EU  man-made  CO2 
emissions. Even 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 group, 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 for an aviation sector that 
emits a net 50% less CO2 against 2005 levels. 

30 

 
 
 
Ryanair is a member of the United Nations Global Compact initiative, which advocates that: 

1.  Business should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges; 
2.  Business should undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and 
3.  Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. 

Environmental Priorities 

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 aircraft (expected to 
arrive in fiscal year 2020) 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 60 grams of CO2 per passenger km by 2030, which is 10% 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; 
•  Work with our environmental partners to invest voluntary customer carbon offsets in nature based projects; 
•  Work to remove all non-recyclable plastics from our operations over a 5 year timeframe; and 
• 

Continue to report monthly CO2 emissions (Ryanair was the first EU airline to do so). 

Our Climate Targets 

To deliver on our environmental commitment, Ryanair has announced a 2030 carbon efficiency target and an 

absolute climate target for 2050.  

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. 

31 

  
 
 
•  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. 

Ryanair’s five-year plan to eliminate non-recyclable plastics 

•  Ryanair is committed to minimising our environmental impact, and over 
a  five-year  timeframe,  we  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 and 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. 

Carbon Offset Scheme  

In  2018  we  introduced  a  voluntary  option  within  our  booking  process  which  allows  customers  to  make  a 
donation to offset their carbon emissions. The funds raised from these voluntary customer donations (over 2 % of 
our customers contributed €1m in fiscal year 2019 alone) are distributed annually to our environmental partners 
for investment in nature-based projects in Africa, Ireland and Portugal.  

Environmental Taxes  

In  fiscal  year  2019,  Ryanair  paid  more  than  €540m  in  environmental taxes and  this  will  rise to  €630m  in 

fiscal year 2020 (approximately 11% of the average ticket price at €4.12 per passenger).  

ETS and CORSIA 

Market  Based  Measures:  Ryanair  has  participated in the  EU  Emissions  Trading  System  (ETS)  since  2012 
and will continue to comply fully with current and future emissions regulations.  As a short -haul airline operating 
almost  entirely  within  the  EU,  84%  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.  

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

32 

 
 
 
 
3.  Deliver fuel efficient operations and report on the savings from these activities; 
4.  Engage aircraft manufacturers on the need for ambitious low emissions aircraft designs; 
5.  Monitor the opportunities and risks posed by the emerging low carbon aviation fuels market; 
6.  Monitor the opportunities and risks posed by the implementation of the ICAO CORSIA system; 
7. 

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; and 

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

Noise, Emissions and Fuel Efficiency 

Ryanair is committed to reducing emissions and noise through investments in “next generation” aircraft and engine 
technologies. We are installing winglets on our aircraft that save fuel by reducing drag and new light weight seats that 
lower fuel consumption by reducing weight. Ryanair cuts noise and emissions through optimised flight operations, these 
initiatives include: 

•  Our  “one  engine  taxi”  policy  means  we  turn  off  one  engine  when  taxiing-in  on  the  runway  which  reduces 

emissions and noise. 

•  Our aircraft fly at a low ‘Cost Index’ which means slower speeds that result in reduced fuel burn and emissions.  
•  Continuous Descent Operations (CDO) keep our aircraft higher for longer before descending at a continuous rate 
to the runway for landing. This results in less time at lower altitudes which means less fuel is burnt, less emissions 
are produced and noise is reduced by avoiding the use of engine thrust. 

•  Continuous Climb Operations (CCO) optimise our aircrafts take off profile to climb to the most fuel efficient 
level with optimal air speed and optimal engine thrust settings resulting in significant fuel economy and reduced 
noise and emissions. 

•  Our fleet is equipped and our crew are trained to use Performance Based Navigation (PBN) to ensure we fly the 

most accurate flight paths for greater fuel efficiency and noise abatement. 

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-200 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  routinely 

delivering over 99% compliance and No.1 for Continual Descent Arrival at 7 U.K. airports 

•  100% of Ryanair aircraft meet ICAO Environmental Protection NOx Standard (Chapter 6) 
•  100% of Ryanair aircraft meet ICAO Environmental Protection Noise Standard (Chapter 4)  

Boeing 737- MAX-200 (“Gamechanger”) 

The Boeing 737-MAX aircraft, which are due to start delivering in fiscal year 2020, represent the newest generation 
of Boeing's 737 aircraft. It is a short-to-medium range aircraft and seats 197 passengers (4% more than the 189 seat Boeing 
737-800NG fleet). Ryanair has 135 firm orders and 75 options for the Gamechanger. 

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

33 

 
Dublin Head Office 

In 2014 Ryanair moved into a new 100,000 sq. ft. office building in Airside Business Park, Co. Dublin, Ireland which 
houses its Irish operations including Ryanair Labs, the state-of-the-art digital and IT innovation hub. A further 120,000 
sq. ft. energy efficient facility is currently under construction within the Ryanair Campus at Airside and will be completed 
in the first half of 2020. 

Other initiatives include: 

•  The use of solar panels to heat water in the building; 
•  Moving to a paperless office, to reduce the need for printing; 
•  Electronic flight bags mean that our cockpits are already paperless 
•  Recycling paper, toner, computer equipment and other waste; 
•  A canteen with a focus on healthy food and nutrition; 
•  Discounted gym membership for staff, to promote exercise and a healthy work/life balance; and 
•  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. 

2.   Safety and Quality 

Ryanair has an industry leading 34-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 16,800 skilled aviation professionals; 
•  an industry leading Safety Management System; 
•  a Board Air Safety and Security Committee to review and discuss air safety and related issues; 
• 

launched its current Safety Strategy in December 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. 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; 

installed 7 Fixed Base simulators in its training centers, with another 3 on order; 
installed 1 Boeing MAX simulators, with another 4 on order; 
the industry’s first full size Boeing NG maintenance training aircraft based at London Stansted;  

•  state of the art simulator training centers in the U.K., Italy and Dublin, including 11 Full Motion simulators; 
• 
• 
• 
•  acquired a Boeing 737-700 aircraft for pilot training; 
•  equipped most 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.  

34 

 
 
 
•  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.  

3.  Social and People Management 

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  and  cabin  crew  trade  unions  for  collective 
bargaining  purposes.  Since  then,  Ryanair  has  concluded  agreements  with  trade  unions  in  its  major  markets.  Ryanair 
considers its relations with its people to be good. 

Job Creation, Economic Growth & Integration 

Ryanair  has  more  than  16,800  aviation  professionals  from  over  60  different  nationalities  who  crew  and  support 
Ryanair’s aircraft fleet. Last year over 1,000 of its people were promoted and we created approximately 2,200 new jobs. 
Ryanair has also created over 100,000 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. 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. 

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 Irish charity partner and Fundación Pequeño 
Deseo  as  its  official  European  partner  for  2019.    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.  
Between  2008  and  2019,  the  Ryanair  contributed  over  €8m  to  designated 
charities across Europe. 

This  foundation  sponsors  the  Ryanair  Professor  of  Entrepreneurship  (a 
€1.5m commitment over 5-years) at Trinity College Dublin’s Business School. 
Ryanair also has a 3-year Premier Corporate Partnership with the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin. The partnership, 
which runs until 2020, enables Ryanair to support the arts under its “Always Getting Better” (“AGB”) program.  

4. 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 Group 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 Group 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. 

35 

 
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 
endeavour to only use suppliers that adhere to these principles and provide a safe and healthy working  environment for 
their employees. 

Anti-Bribery and Corruption   

Ryanair  has  an  anti-bribery  and  corruption  policy  which  does  not  condone  bribery  or  corruption  in  any  form. 
Employees  must  not  give  or  offer  anything  of  material  value  to  any  customer  or  supplier  as  an  inducement  to  obtain 
business or favourable treatment. Similarly, employees must not accept anything with a monetary value for themselves or 
others, in return for giving favourable treatment to customers or suppliers.  

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 Management of the Company and to administer the Company’s stock options plans as described 
on page 126.  The members of Remco are Howard Millar (Chairman), Julie O’Neill and 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 Group 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  Group  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 U.K. 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  EU  airline 
comparatives) and a bonus scheme which allows senior managers to earn up to a maximum of 100% of their base pay 
each year by way of performance related bonus. In selecting annual performance targets, Remco takes into account the 
Group’s strategic objectives, short and long-term business priorities. The Group CEO and each senior manager’s bonus 
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 the Group CEO and 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 traffic targets, ancillary revenue growth, cost control, customer 
service metrics, and operational performance (including punctuality). Historically, senior managers have rarely received 
100% of their bonus entitlement, the average in recent years (when budgeted PAT has been achieved) is between 70% 
to 90%. As part of the Company’s cost saving initiatives, and in recognition of the reduced profitability in fiscal year 
2019, the senior management team (excluding the Group CEO who has agreed to a 50% reduction in both his base pay 
and annual performance bonus for the 5-year term of his new Group CEO contract) accepted a pay freeze for fiscal year 
2020. 

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 Group CEO. 

The  total  remuneration  paid  to  senior  management  (defined  as  the  Executive  team  reporting  to  the  Board  of 
Directors) is set out in Note 27 of the consolidated Financial Statements.  Company policy in respect of granting share 
options is dealt with in section 6 below. 

The Group CEO is the only Executive Director of the Board. In the year ended March 31, 2019, the Group CEO’s 
base  pay  was  unchanged  at  €1.058m  per  annum.  His  maximum  bonus  was  fixed  at  €990,000  of  which  he  received 
€768,000 or 78% of the maximum entitlement. As the airline only achieved 65% of its budgeted PAT he received 65% 
of the €495,000 payable by reference to achieving budgeted PAT. He also received 90% of the €495,000 payable by 
reference to the Board’s assessment of the CEO’s personal performance against a written list of 9 performance objectives 
for the year to March 31, 2019. These performance objectives, which were both strategic and operational, included traffic 
growth,  customer  service,  cost  control,  operational  efficiency  (including  punctuality)  and  other  targets.  The  Group 
CEO’s pay and bonus, compared against the CEO pay of other large European airlines, is set out below. 

37 

The Company does not provide the Group CEO with any pension contributions which is in keeping with the low-

cost ethos of the airline. 

3. Group CEO New 5-year Contract 

In February 2019 Ryanair announced that Michael O’Leary had signed a new five-year contract as Group CEO 
commencing April 1, 2019 and expiring on July 31, 2024. As part of this contract the Group CEO has agreed to a 50% 
cut in base pay from approximately, €1m to €500,000 per annum, a 50% cut to his maximum annual bonus (to €500,000) 
and, inline with best practice in the updated Corporate Governance Code, he does not receive any pension benefits from 
Ryanair. This new contract also includes 10m share options, which are exercisable at a price of €11.12 if the net income 
of Ryanair Holdings plc exceeds €2bn in any year up to 2024 and/or the share price of Ryanair Holdings plc exceeds 
€21 for a period of 28 days between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2024. These ambitious profit and share price targets 
means that the Group CEO is fully aligned with, and committed to delivering superior returns for shareholders over the 
next 5 years. The Group CEO is subject to a covenant not to compete with the Company within the E.U. for two years 
after the termination of his employment. The options grant contains malus and clawback provisions and does not contain 
provisions providing for compensation on termination.  

The maximum annual accounting cost of the Group CEO’s remuneration is €2.8m over the 5-year term, comprising 
of base pay of €500,000 per annum, maximum performance bonus of up to €500,000 per annum and a €1.8m charge for 
10m share options granted. This maximum payout will only arise if the Group CEO is awarded 100% of his performance 
bonus and that the long-term  share option vesting targets of a €21 share price  and/or €2bn net income are achieved. 
Ryanair Group CEO’s remuneration is considerably lower than many other European airline CEOs and less than Mr 
O’Leary was paid in fiscal year 2016, 2017 and 2019. 

4. Performance 

Profit after tax for the fiscal year 2019 declined by 39% to €885m, due to a weak fare environment (6% fall in 
average airfares), excess capacity in European short-haul, one-off 20% pilot pay increases to combat high pilot turnover 
in late 2017/early 2018, higher EU261 compensation costs due to record ATC staff shortages/strikes in summer 2018, 
fuel costs which rose by €450m for the full year, and year-one start up losses in Laudamotion. 

38 

 
 
5. Non-Executive Directors 

Details of remuneration paid to Non-Executive Directors is set out in Note 19 (b) on page 188 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 are 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. 

6. Share Options  

A description of the Company’s share options scheme is available on page 126.  Details of the share options granted 

to Executive and Non-Executive Directors are set forth in Note 19(d) to the consolidated Financial Statements. 

Share options are granted occasionally (under Options Plan 2013), 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 will only be exercisable where 
exceptional profit or share price targets have been achieved over a 5-year period from date of grant. Managers 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, with the most recent grant (fiscal year 2019) setting performance vesting 
targets of a €21 share price and/or €2bn net income by fiscal year 2024. The fiscal year 2019 options grant contains 
malus and clawback provisions. 

As at March 31, 2019, Non-Executive Directors held a modest number of share options as set out on page 188. 
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 generally 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. 

Ryanair  fully  complies  with  the  Investment  Association’s  Principles  of  Remuneration  whereby  the  Company’s 

share options schemes do not exceed 10% of the issued share capital in any rolling 10 year period. 

Details of employee share option plans are set forth on pages 183 to 184 in Note 15(c) to the consolidated Financial 

Statements. 

7. LTIP 2019 

The  current  share  options  plan,  which  was  approved  by  shareholders  at  the  2013  AGM  (“Options  Plan  2013”), 
encouraged our people to think and act like long-term shareholders and prioritise sustainable returns. While this plan has 
been successful, following a broad review of our variable pay arrangements during the past year, it became clear that there 
is a need to put in place a more regular, formalized, long-term incentive arrangements for our senior managers. As such, 
at the 2019 AGM we will be putting forward for shareholder approval the 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP 2019”). 
Under this new framework, senior managers may be eligible to receive regular annual awards, typically of whole shares 
rather than share options, with vesting based on performance against stretching three-year targets. In light of the award of 
options in February 2019 to the Group CEO under Options Plan 2013, Remco has determined that no awards will be made 
to the Group CEO under the new incentive plan for the duration of his existing five-year contract out to July 2024. It is 
proposed that Non-Executive Directors be permitted to receive share awards (but not options) under the new plan but in 
line with good corporate governance, such awards will not be subject to performance conditions. 

39 

 
 
This more formal framework will over time provide senior managers with a schedule of overlapping awards, each 
aligned with key performance goals for their respective periods.  In this manner Remco considers that it will act as a more 
effective driver of sustainable returns than the current framework.  It is also recognized that the framework is more aligned 
with the general direction of the market, with arrangements in close peers, and with the expectations of many shareholders. 

The performance conditions attached to LTIP 2019 awards are currently expected to be an equal weighting of three-
year EPS growth and three-year relative TSR performance against airline peers.  EPS provides a direct measure of bottom-
line financial performance and is a key performance indicator for Ryanair, while TSR measures the Company’s relative 
performance against peers and reflects the overall shareholder experience.  

8. Directors’ Pension Benefits 

None of the Directors, including the Executive Director, receive any pension benefits as set forth in Note 19(c) to 

the consolidated Financial Statements. 

9. Directors’ Shareholdings 

The interests of each Director, that held office at the end of fiscal year 2019, in the share capital of the Company 

as at March 31, 2019, are set forth in Note 19(d) to the consolidated Financial Statements. 

10. 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 2016, 2017 and 2018 
AGMs are set out below:  

At the 2018 AGM discretionary proxies representing approximately 3.4% of shares were voted in favour of the 

resolutions by the meeting’s Chairman. 

The Company has actively engaged with shareholders, The Investor Forum, and the large ESG proxy advisor firms 

(ISS, Glass Lewis, MSCI, Sustainalytics, and PIRC) on corporate governance matters in recent years. 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Group 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 Group 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 Group 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 Group and Parent 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 whether applicable Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements;  
assess the Group and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to 
going concern; and 

• 

•  use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Group or Company or to cease 

operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.  

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 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 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. 

41 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Responsibility Statement as required by the Transparency Directive and U.K. 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 Group 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, 2019 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 26, 2019 

Michael O’Leary 
Group Chief Executive 

42 

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

Report on the audit of the financial statements 

Opinion 
We have audited the financial statements of Ryanair Holdings plc (‘the Company’) and subsidiaries (together, “the Group”) 
for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2019  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 Shareholder’s Equity, the Consolidated and Company Statements of Cash Flows, and related notes, including 
the summary of significant accounting policies set out 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  Parent  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, 2019 and of its profit for the year then ended; 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the  Company  Financial  Statements  give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  assets,  liabilities  and  financial  position  of  the 
Company as at March 31, 2019; 

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. 

Our separate opinion in relation to IFRS as issued by the IASB is unmodified 
As explained in note 1 on page 151 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, 2019 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 33 years ended March 31, 2019.  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  public  interest  entities.  No  non-audit  services 
prohibited by that standard were provided.   

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 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 (unchanged from 2018): 

Aircraft residual values, estimated useful lives, and estimated cost of major airframe and engine overhaul – carrying 
value of aircraft €8,912.5m (2018 - €8,052.2m). 

Refer  to  page  20  (Audit  Committee  Report),  pages  153  to  154  (accounting  policy)  and  pages  161  to  162  (financial 
disclosures) 

The key audit matter 

  How the matter was addressed in our audit 

engines 

including 

The  Group  has  aircraft  with  a  carrying  value  of 
(2018: 
€8,912.5m  as  at  March  31,  2019 
€8,052.2m) 
related 
and 
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  primarily 
comprising  of  owned  Boeing  737-800  ‘next 
generation’ aircraft, all of which are aged between 
one and 16 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 owned aircraft fleet, could have a material 
impact  on 
and 
the  depreciation 
consequently the profit for the year. 

charge 

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

and 

residual 

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

to 

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 invoiced costs. 

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. 

Our procedures in respect of this risk were performed as 
planned. We are satisfied that the Group’s judgements 
with  regard  to  estimates  of  aircraft  residual  values, 
useful  life  and  cost  of  major  airframe  and  engine 
overhaul were 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). 

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 €47.3m (2018: €80m). Materiality for the 
Company financial statements was set at €10m (2018: €15m).  

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  €2.4m  (Group)  and  €0.5m  (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 engagement team based in Dublin. 

We have nothing to report on going concern 
We are required to report to you if: 
•  we  have  anything  material  to  add  or  draw  attention  to  in  relation  to  the  Directors’  Statement  on  page  28  of  the 
Corporate Governance Report on the use of the going concern basis of accounting with no material uncertainties that 
may cast significant doubt over the Group and Company’s use of that basis for a period of at least twelve months from 
the date of approval of the financial statements; or 

• 

if the related statement under the Listing Rules is materially inconsistent with our audit knowledge. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

Other information 
The Directors are responsible for the preparation of the other information presented in the Annual Report together with 
the financial statements. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the 
financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon.  

The financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon do not comprise part of the other information. 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 report that, in those parts of the Directors’ Report specified for our 
consideration: 
•  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; and 

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 included in the Corporate Governance Report on page 28 
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 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

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 U.K. Corporate Governance Code: if the directors’ statement does not properly disclose 
a departure from provisions of the U.K. 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 15 to 29, 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  2006  and 
specified for our consideration, is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with 
the Act;  

•  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; and 

• 

the  Corporate  Governance  Report  contains  the  information  required  by  the  European  Union  (Disclosure  of  Non-
Financial and Diversity Information by certain large undertakings and groups) Regulations 2017. 

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

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 financial statements are in agreement with the accounting records. 

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 Act are not made. 

The Companies Act 2014 also requires us to report to you if, in our opinion, the Company has not provided the information 
required by section 5(2) to (7) of the European Union (Disclosure of Non-Financial and Diversity Information by certain 
large undertakings and groups) Regulations 2017 for the year ended March 31, 2019 as required by the European Union 
(Disclosure  of  Non-Financial  and  Diversity  Information  by  certain  large  undertakings  and  groups)  (amendment) 
Regulations 2018.  

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Listing Rules of the Euronext Dublin and U.K. Listing Authority require us to review: 
• 

the Directors’ Statement, set out on page 28, in relation to going concern and longer-term viability; 

• 

• 

the part of the Corporate Governance Report on page 29 relating to the Company’s compliance with the provisions of 
the U.K. 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. 

Respective responsibilities and restrictions on use 

Directors’ responsibilities 

As explained more fully in their statement set out on page  41, 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 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 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 and not just those 
directly affecting the financial statements. 

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on IAASA’s website at: 
https://www.iaasa.ie/getmedia/b2389013-1cf6-458b-9b8f-
a98202dc9c3a/Description_of_auditors_responsiblities_for_audit.pdf.  

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 26, 2019 

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, 2019 (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 = $1.228, or $1.00 = €0.891, the official rate published by the U.S. Federal 
Reserve Board in its weekly “H.10” release (the “Federal Reserve Rate”) on March 31, 2019. The Federal Reserve Rate 
for euro on July 19, 2019 was €1.00 = $1.122 or $1.00 = €0.891. 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 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 Union 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 

 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

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 2019 Compared with Fiscal Year 2018 
Fiscal Year 2018 Compared with Fiscal Year 2017 
Seasonal Fluctuations 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards 
Liquidity and Capital Resources 
Trend Information 
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions 
Inflation 

50 

53 

53 

53 
53 
54 
56 
58 
59 

73 
73 
74 
78 
79 
79 
80 
82 
82 
83 
84 
85 
86 
87 
88 
89 
96 

96 

96 
96 
98 
99 
99 
100 
100 
103 
105 
105 
105 
109 
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 
117 

119 
119 
119 

120 
120 
120 
122 

123 
123 

126 
126 
126 
127 
128 
129 
129 
131 
136 

137 
137 
138 
139 
140 

141 

142 

142 

142 
142 
142 
143 

143 

143 

143 

143 

144 

144 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 

144 

144 

145 

145 

145 

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 a low fare, low cost scheduled airline group 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, 2019, the Company offered over  short-haul flights per day serving over 
 airports across Europe, with a fleet of  Boeing 737 aircraft and 20 Airbus A320 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 2019 has been 
translated from Euro€ to U.S.$ using the Federal Reserve Rate on March 31, 2019. 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 
Shares in issue during the year 

      2019(a) 

2019 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

(in millions, except per-Ordinary Share data) 

Fiscal year ended March 31,  

  $   8,642.6   €   7,697.4   €   7,151.0   €   6,647.8   €   6,535.8   €   5,654.0 
  $  (7,501.0)   €  (6,680.6)   €  (5,483.7)   €  (5,113.8)   €  (5,075.7)   €  (4,611.1) 
  $   1,141.6   €   1,016.8   €   1,667.3   €   1,534.0   €   1,460.1   €   1,042.9 
 (56.3) 
 (62.2)   € 
  $ 
 (4.2) 
  $ 
 (14.9)   € 
 982.4 
  $   1,064.5   € 

 (53.2)   € 
 (55.4)   € 
 (13.3)   € 
 315.0   € 
 948.1   €   1,611.3   €   1,470.3   €   1,721.9   € 

 (58.1)   € 
 2.1   € 

 (63.0)   € 
(0.7)   € 

  $ 

 (70.8)   € 

 (63.1)   € 

 (161.1)   € 

 (154.4)   € 

 (162.8)   € 

 (115.7) 

  $ 

 993.7   € 

 885.0   €   1,450.2   €   1,315.9   €   1,559.1   € 

 866.7 

  $   0.8689   €   0.7739   €   1.2151   €   1.0530   €   1.1626   €   0.6259 

  $   0.8606   €   0.7665   €   1.2045   €   1.0464   €   1.1563   €   0.6246 

n/a  

n/a  

n/a  

n/a   €   0.2940   €   0.3750 

As of March 31,  

2019(a) 

2019 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

(in millions) 
  $   1,881.4   €   1,675.6   €   1,515.0   €   1,224.0   €   1,259.2   €   1,184.6 
  $  14,877.9   €  13,250.7   €  12,361.8   €  11,989.7   €  11,218.3   €  12,185.4 

  $   4,091.9   €   3,644.4   €   3,963.0   €   4,384.5   €   4,023.0   €   4,431.6 
  $   5,855.3   €   5,214.9   €   4,468.9   €   4,423.0   €   3,596.8   €   4,035.1 
 8.7 
 7.0   € 
  $ 

 6.8   € 

 7.7   € 

 7.3   € 

 7.6   € 

 1,143.6       1,143.6     

 1,193.5       1,249.7     

 1,341.0     

 1,384.7 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
    
 
Cash Flow Statement Data: 

Net cash inflow from operating activities 
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing 
activities 
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing 
activities 
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 
equivalents 

      2019(a) 

2019 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

Fiscal year ended March 31,  

(in millions) 

  $   2,265.2   €   2,017.5   €   2,233.2   €   1,927.2   €   1,846.3   €   1,689.4 

  $  (1,125.5)   €  (1,002.4)   € 

 (719.4)   €  (1,290.8)   € 

 (283.6)   €  (2,888.2) 

  $ 

 (959.4)   € 

 (854.5)   €  (1,222.8)   € 

 (671.6)   €  (1,488.1)   € 

 653.3 

  $ 

 180.3   € 

 160.6   € 

 291.0   € 

 (35.2)   € 

 74.6   € 

 (545.5) 

(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, 2019 of €1.00 = $1.1228 or $1.00 = €





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,  

2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 

Month ended 
January 31, 2019 
February 28, 2019 
March 31, 2019 
April 30, 2019 
May 31, 2019 
June 30, 2019 
Period ended July 19, 2019 

U.K. pounds sterling per €1.00(c) 

Year ended December 31,  

2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 

Month ended 
January 31, 2019 
February 28, 2019 
March 31, 2019 
April 30, 2019 
May 31, 2019 
June 30, 2019 
Period ended July 25, 2019 

     End of      Average      
  Period  

(b) 

Low 

  High 

    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 
    1.146     1.182     1.128     1.249 

    1.145     1.142     1.132     1.152 
    1.138     1.135     1.127     1.147 
    1.123     1.130     1.121     1.138 
    1.120     1.123     1.114     1.130 
    1.115     1.119     1.114     1.125 
    1.137     1.130     1.120     1.139 
   1.122    1.125    1.121    1.131 

  End of   Average  
      Period      

(b) 

      Low 

      High 

    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 
    0.898     0.885     0.863     0.908 

    0.873     0.885     0.864     0.903 
    0.857     0.872     0.854     0.882 
    0.861     0.858     0.849     0.868 
    0.861     0.862     0.853     0.868 
    0.885     0.871     0.850     0.885 
    0.895     0.891     0.884     0.897 
   0.895    0.897    0.892    0.903 

56 

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

Year ended December 31,  

2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 

Month ended 
January 31, 2019 
February 28, 2019 
March 31, 2019 
April 30, 2019 
May 31, 2019 
June 30, 2019 
Period ended July 19, 2019 

     End of      Average      
  Period  

(b) 

Low 

  High 

    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 
    0.784     0.748     0.698     0.798 

 0.794 
    0.761     0.775     0.759  
 0.782 
    0.753     0.768     0.751  
 0.769 
    0.767     0.759     0.753  
 0.775 
    0.767     0.767     0.759  
 0.792 
    0.792  
 0.761  
 0.778  
    0.787     0.789     0.785  
 0.797 
   0.800    0.799    0.791   0.806 

(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 , 2019, the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the euro was €1.00 = $1.122, or $1.00 = €
0.891 and the exchange rate between the U.K. pound sterling and the U.S. dollar was U.K. £1.00 = $1.249, or $1.00 = 
U.K. £0.800. As of July 25, 2019 the exchange rate between the U.K. pound sterling and the euro was U.K. £1.00 =  €
1.117, or €1.00 = U.K. £0.895. 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. 

2019 

13%  
83%  
37.03   
17.15   
54.17   
47.02   
1.79   

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
2016 
2017 
2018 

23%  
73%  
 39.40   
 15.48   
54.88   
 42.08   
 1.65   

23%  
73%  
 40.58   
 14.83   
55.41   
 42.62   
 1.83   

22%  
72%  
 46.67   
 14.74   
61.41   
  47.69   
  2.21   

2015 

18%  
72%  
 47.05  
 15.39  
62.44  
 50.92  
 2.34  

2019 
142.1   
96%  
774   

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
2016 
2017 
2018 
 106.4   
 120.0   
 130.3   
93%  
94%  
95%  
 762   
 770   
 775   

2015 
 90.6  
88%  
 776  
    789,771     725,044     675,482     609,501     545,034  
 189  
 9.03  
 9,394  
 31  

219   
9.02   
 16,840   
36   

 200   
 9.36   
 11,458   
 34   

 207   
 9.33   
 13,026   
 34   

 216   
 9.13   
 14,583   
 34   

Operating Data: 
Operating Margin 
Break-even Load Factor 
Average Booked Passenger Fare (€) 
Ancillary Rev. per Booked Passenger (€) 
Total 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 

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 2019 increased when compared to fiscal year 2018. 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  hedging  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. 

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 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Union’s General Data Protection regulation 2016/679 (the “GDPR”) (which became fully applicable on May 
25,  2018)  as  well  as  relevant  national  implementing  legislation  (Irish  Data  Protection  Act  2018),  which  introduced  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 traffic and yields from 
November to March (inclusive) (“winter”), 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. 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 
2019, Ryanair grounded approximately  aircraft (compared with 60 aircraft in fiscal year 2018) and the Company intends 
to again ground a similar number of aircraft in fiscal year 2020. 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.  

Currency Fluctuations Affect the Company’s Results. Although Ryanair is headquartered in Ireland, a significant 
portion  of  its  operations  are  conducted  in  the  U.K.  Consequently,  the  Group  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.  Ryanair’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  are not expected to eliminate 
currency risks. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” 

The continuing uncertainty associated with the  Brexit process could adversely  affect Ryanair’s business.  The 
withdrawal/transition  agreement  negotiated  by  the  EU  and  the  U.K.  government  has  not  been  approved  by  the  U.K. 
parliament. As an outcome from this impasse, the EU has granted an extension period to the Article 50 negotiation process, 
which will run until October 31, 2019 unless an agreement is concluded in the interim.  

There  remain  two  fundamental  steps  to  effect  an  orderly  exit  of  the  U.K.  from  the  EU:  (i)  agreement  on  the 
withdrawal/transition process, including an agreed political declaration on the future trading framework; and (ii) detailed 
agreement on the full set of future trading arrangements. The future arrangements between the EU and the U.K. could 
directly impact Ryanair’s business in a number of ways.   Arrangements which may impact Ryanair’s business include, 
inter alia, the status of the U.K. in relation to the EU’s open air transport market, freedom of movement between the U.K. 
and the EU, employment rules governing the relationship between the U.K. and the EU, 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. 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
As a result of no-deal contingency measures unilaterally implemented by both the EU and U.K., the risk of a 
cessation of flights between the U.K. and the EU27 in a no-deal scenario has been substantially reduced. In the event of 
market access restrictions between the U.K. and non-EU destinations (and in respect of U.K. domestic traffic), Ryanair 
expects to be  able to use its U.K. subsidiary Ryanair U.K. Limited (“Ryanair U.K.”),  which received an Air Operator 
Certificate  and Operating  Licence (“U.K. AOC”) from the U.K. Civil Aviation  Authority (“U.K. CAA”) in December 
2018. Alternatively, the Company may decide to cancel such routes.  

Ryanair is exposed to Brexit-related risks and uncertainties, as approximately 22% of revenue in fiscal year 2019 
came from operations in the U.K., although this was offset somewhat by approximately 18% of Ryanair’s non-fuel costs 
in fiscal year 2019 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 also 
requires 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. The Board 
of Directors has taken action to ensure continuing compliance with EU Regulation No. 1008/2008 if U.K. holders of the 
Company’s shares are no longer designated as EU nationals. 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 12% and 11% 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 2020, 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 €7 million. For additional information, please 
see “Item 3 – Currency Fluctuations Affect the Company’s Results”.  

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 expects 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  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 

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

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.  

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

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 470 aircraft in its fleet as at June 30, 2019 and has ordered an additional 210 737-MAX-200 
aircraft (including 135 firm and 75 option aircraft) for delivery post June 30, 2019 to fiscal year 2024 pursuant to contracts 
with  the  Boeing  Company  (““Boeing,”  and  such  contract,  the  “2014  Boeing  Contract”).  Ryanair  expects  to  have 
approximately 585 narrow body aircraft in its fleet by March 31, 2024, depending on the level of lease returns, Boeing’s 
ability to fulfill the 2014 Boeing Contract and aircraft disposals. For additional information on the Company’s  aircraft 
fleet and expansion plans, see “—A majority of Ryanair’s aircraft and certain parts are sourced from a single supplier; 
therefore, Ryanair would be materially and adversely affected if such supplier were unable to provide additional equipment 
or  support,”  and  “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 a 2013 purchase agreement with Boeing (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 €750m in 1.125% unsecured Eurobonds with a 6.5-year tenor in February 2017 that is 
guaranteed by Ryanair Holdings, and a €750m unsecured (5-year term) syndicated bank loan facility entered into in May 
2019.  Ryanair’s  ability  to  raise  unsecured  or  secured  debt  to  pay  for  aircraft  is  subject  to  potential  volatility  in  the 
worldwide financial markets.  Additionally, 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 and any failure to raise necessary amounts of unsecured or secured debt to pay for aircraft, 
would have a material adverse effect on its results of operations and financial condition.  

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 both S&P and 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 and a material adverse effect on its results of operations 
and financial condition. 

Ryanair has also entered into significant derivative transactions intended to hedge some of 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.” 

A majority of Ryanair’s aircraft and certain parts are sourced from a single supplier; therefore, Ryanair would 
be materially and adversely affected if such supplier were unable to provide additional equipment or support. Because 
Ryanair currently sources the majority of its aircraft and many related aircraft parts from Boeing, if Ryanair was unable to 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
acquire additional aircraft from Boeing, or if Boeing was unable or unwilling to make timely deliveries of aircraft or to 
provide adequate support for its products, Ryanair’s operations could be materially and adversely affected.  For example, 
in 2019 certain global aviation regulators and airlines grounded the Boeing 737-MAX-8 in response to accidents involving 
aircraft flown by Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines (the “Directives”).  It is unclear when or if such Directives will be lifted.   
As of March 31, 2019, Ryanair has up to 210 (135 firm and 75 options) Boeing 737-MAX-200 on order from Boeing 
under the 2014 Boeing Contract, and Ryanair had expected, given the planned delivery schedule, to operate approximately 
30 of such aircraft by summer 2020. In connection with the Directives, the initial delivery of the Boeing 737-MAX-200 
aircraft under the 2014 Boeing Contract has been delayed by Boeing, possibly to between January and February 2020 
(subject to U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and EASA certification).  There can be no assurances regarding 
when Ryanair’s deliveries of the Boeing 737-MAX-200 will commence. The long-term operational and financial impact 
of the Directives is uncertain and could negatively affect Ryanair based on a number of factors, including, among others, 
public perception of the safety of the Boeing 737-MAX-200 (and Boeing aircraft generally), the period of time the ordered 
aircraft are unavailable and the associated loss of anticipated flight capacity.  As such, the Directives and their impact on 
Boeing have caused, and are expected to continue to cause, significant disruption to Ryanair’s customers and financial 
costs to Ryanair. 

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 
200m  passengers  per  annum  by  March  31,  2024,  an  increase  of  approximately  41%  from  the  approximately  142m 
passengers  booked  in  fiscal  year  2019.  However,  no  assurance  can  be  given  that  this  target  will  be  met.  If  growth  in 
passenger traffic and Ryanair’s revenues do not keep pace with the planned expansion of its fleet, Ryanair could suffer 
from overcapacity and its results of operations and financial condition (including its ability to fund scheduled purchases 
of the new aircraft and related debt repayments) could be materially adversely affected. 

The continued expansion of Ryanair’s fleet and operations 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 have a material 
adverse effect on 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  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 

63 

 
 
 
 
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” below. 

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  Collective  Labour 
Agreements (“CLA’s”) with Trade Unions in most of its major markets. The CLA’s concluded to date vary by country but 
include agreements on recognition, seniority, base transfers, promotions, pay and rostering arrangements. Negotiations 
with unions representing both pilots and cabin crew throughout Europe are continuing and further CLA’s are expected to 
be concluded this year.   

As of March 31, 2019, over 99% 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 people productivity model which may have an adverse 
effect on customer sentiment and profitability.  

Ryanair is currently in the process of transitioning from Irish to local contracts of employment in a number of EU 
countries which could impact on costs, productivity and complexity of the business. Any subsequent decision to switch to 
lower cost locations could result in redundancies and a consequent deterioration in labour relations.  

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 (“Part 145”) established by the European Aviation Safety Agency (“EASA”). The Company also assigns its 
passenger, aircraft and ground handling services at airports (other than Dublin, London Stansted and certain airports in 
Poland,  Spain  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 Group CEO, and key financial, commercial, 
operating, IT and maintenance personnel.  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 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 
including  Travelport  (which  operates  the  Galileo  and  Worldspan  GDS)  and  Sabre  (collectively,  the  “GDSs”)  (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.  

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 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, and Ryanair’s agreements from 2009 with Frankfurt (Hahn) airport. 
The investigations seek to determine whether the agreements constitute illegal state aid under EU law. The investigations 
are currently expected to be completed in 2019, with the European Commission’s decisions being appealable to the EU 
General Court. Between 2010 and 2019, investigations into Ryanair’s agreements with the Bratislava, Tampere, Marseille, 
Berlin  (Schönefeld),  Aarhus,  Dusseldorf  (Weeze),  Brussels  (Charleroi),  Alghero,  Stockholm  (Västerås)  and  Lübeck 
airports, and into Ryanair’s agreements prior to 2009 with Frankfurt (Hahn) 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 €22.5m of alleged state aid.  Ryanair appealed these seven “aid” decisions to the 
EU General Court. In late 2018, the General Court upheld the Commission’s findings regarding Ryanair’s arrangements 
with  Pau,  Nimes,  Angouleme  and  Altenburg  airports,  and  overturned  the  Commission’s  finding  regarding  Ryanair’s 
arrangement with Zweibrücken airport.  Ryanair has appealed these four negative findings to the European Court of Justice.  
These appeals are expected to take at least two years. The appeal proceedings before the General Court regarding Ryanair’s 
arrangements with Cagliari and Klagenfurt airports are also expected to take approximately two 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 a material 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  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 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
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 and 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,  Switzerland  and  the  U.S..  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  Holding’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 a material adverse effect on Ryanair’s cash flows, financial position and results of operations.  

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. 

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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 (currently October 31, 2019). 
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 have a material adverse 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 associated with the Company’s restructuring. Over the course of fiscal year 2019 and into fiscal year 2020, 
the Company has undergone a corporate restructuring which resulted in the transition from a single airline operating model 
(i.e. Ryanair DAC) to an airline modeled through five entities: Ryanair DAC, Ryanair Sun (to be rebranded as Buzz in 
late 2019), Laudamotion GmbH (“Laudamotion”), Ryanair U.K. and, in June 2019, Malta Air Limited (“Malta Air” and, 
collectively the “Airline Entities”).   

The  cost  of  implementing  these  plans  has  been  material,  and  the  Company  may  continue  to  incur  additional 
material expenses in relation thereto. In addition, the implementation of the changes involves a number of risks related to 
both the revised structure and also the process of transition to such new structure. For example: 

•  Increased  costs  and  complexity  related  to  establishing  and  maintaining  intra-company  agreements  for 

management, funding, shared services and customer support between the Airline Entities; 

•  Increased  costs  and  complexity  related  to  compliance  with  the  applicable  regulatory  authorities  and  legal 

regimes governing each Airline Entity; 

•  Operational  risks  related  to  the  addition  of  Airbus  aircraft  to  the  Company’s  predominantly  Boeing  fleet, 

including impacts related to expanding the Company’s aircraft maintenance programs; 

• Development and implementation of consistent and efficient operating models across the Airline Entities; and 
•  Potential  accounting  consequences,  including  tax  costs,  as  a  result  of  asset  transfers  in  connection  with  the 

restructuring.  

As  a  result,  the  implementation  of  the  restructuring  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company's 

business, its financial condition, results of operations and prospects. 

Entry into service of the Boeing 737-MAX-200. Ryanair has 135 Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft on firm order 
from Boeing. These aircraft were originally due to commence delivery in April 2019. However, an airworthiness directive 
from the FAA has grounded the Boeing 737-MAX-8 aircraft until further notice. Due to its larger seat density and the 
addition of two additional emergency doors, the Boeing 737-MAX-200 will require a unique certification permit from the 
FAA and EASA prior to its release to service. There can be no assurance that the 737-MAX-8 and the 737-MAX-200 will 
receive FAA and EASA regulatory approval or on what date any such approval will be granted.    

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There also can be no assurance that EASA will not, now or in the future, apply additional maintenance and/or, 
simulator  training  in  relation  to  the  operation  of  the  737-MAX-200  aircraft,  that  will  materially  increase  the  cost  of 
operating this aircraft type.  In addition, should any negative public perception develop in relation to the safety of the 
Boeing 737-MAX aircraft series, Ryanair’s growth plans and profitability could be materially adversely affected. 

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 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 effect on its 
financial results. 

The Introduction of Government/Environmental Taxes on Travel Could Damage Ryanair’s Ability to Grow and 
Could Have a Material Adverse Impact on Operations. Travel taxes are levied on a per passenger basis in a number of 
Ryanair markets. In the U.K., Air Passenger Duty (APD) is charged at £13 per adult passenger. In Germany there is an air 
passenger tax of €7.50. Similar taxes exist in Morocco (€9), Norway (NOK80), Sweden (SEK60), Italy (municipal taxes 
of €6.50) and Austria (€3.50). These taxes are levied as a flat amount per departing passenger and account for a higher 
percentage when applied to low fares. In Ryanair’s experience the imposition of travel taxes reduces the growth potential 
of a market as fares do not increase by the amount of the tax. In most markets transfer passengers are exempt from these 
taxes  and  as  a  result  they  distort  the  market  by  giving  an  unfair  subsidy  to  inefficient  high  cost  airlines  who  operate 
connecting flight networks. 

Other governments have also introduced or may introduce similar taxes, including additional environmental air 
travel levies such as the proposed French departure tax of €1.50 for flights within the EU announced in July 2019. 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 adverse effect on 
Ryanair’s financial 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  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 could have a material adverse effect on 
demand  for  Ryanair’s  services,  its  costs,  customers,  suppliers  and/or  the  Irish,  EU,  U.S.  or  world  economy  or  certain 
sectors thereof and, thus, Ryanair’s business and financial results.  

The Company is Substantially Dependent on Discretionary Air Travel. Because a substantial portion of airline 
travel (both business and personal) is discretionary and because Ryanair is substantially dependent on discretionary air 
travel, any prolonged general reduction in airline passenger traffic 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 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
costs could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s profitability or financial condition. As a consequence, any 
future aircraft safety incidents (particularly involving other low-fare airlines or aircraft models flown by Ryanair), changes 
in public opinion regarding the  environmental impacts of air travel, terrorist attacks  in  Europe, the U.S. or elsewhere, 
significant military actions by the United States or EU nations, or any related economic downturn may have a material 
adverse effect on demand for air travel and thus on Ryanair’s business, operating results, and financial condition. See “—
The Company is Dependent on the Continued Acceptance of Low-fares Airlines.” 

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. 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 narrowing 
the definition of the term “extraordinary circumstances”, thus allowing increased consumer claims for compensation. In 
September  2015,  the  Court  of  Justice  of  the  EU,  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. Further, 
in  April  2018,  the  Court  of  Justice  of  the  EU  found  in  Krusemann  v  TUIfly  that  “wildcat”  strikes  which  stem  from 
restructuring measures taken by an air carrier do not constitute extraordinary circumstances. Ryanair considers that the 
union-led strikes which it experienced during 2018 can be differentiated from the Krusemann case, because it believes the 
union-led strikes were beyond Ryanair’s control and did not stem from a decision taken by Ryanair, but there is a risk that 
courts may find differently. 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 re-routing obligations cease.  

Environmental Regulation such as EU Regulation of Emissions Trading Will Increase Costs.  Many aspects of 
Ryanair’s operations are subject to increasingly stringent national and international laws, regulations and levies protecting 
the  environment,  including  those  relating  to  carbon  emissions,  clean  water,  management  of  hazardous  materials  and 
climate change. Compliance with existing and future environmental laws, regulations and levies can require  significant 
expenditures, and violations can lead to significant fines, penalties and reputational damage. 

In  particular,  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 2019 
and has continued to rise in the fiscal year 2020. 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. 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

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  effect  on  the  Company’s  financial 
performance. 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. In past years, 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  (regardless  of  Ryanair’s  own  safety  record),  and  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on 
Ryanair’s financial condition and results of operations.  In particular, an accident or other safety-related incident involving 
an aircraft operated by another airline of the same model or manufacturer as operated by Ryanair could have a material 
adverse effect on Ryanair if such accident or other safety-related incident resulted in actions or investigations by global 
aviation authorities or created a public perception that Ryanair’s operations are not safe or reliable, or are less safe  or 
reliable than other airlines. Such regulatory actions and/or public perceptions could, in turn, result in adverse publicity for 
Ryanair, cause harm to Ryanair’s brand and reduce travel demand on Ryanair’s flights, resulting in a material adverse 
effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.  For additional information, see “—Risks Related 
to the Company—A majority of Ryanair’s aircraft and certain parts are sourced from a single supplier; therefore, Ryanair 
would be materially and adversely affected if such supplier were unable to provide additional equipment or support.” 

The Company Faces the Risk of Loss and Liability. 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 
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.   

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

Airline Industry Margins are Subject to Significant Uncertainty. The airline industry is capital intensive and is 
characterized by high fixed costs and by revenues that generally exhibit substantially greater elasticity than costs. Although 
fuel accounted for approximately % of total operating expenses in fiscal year 2019, 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  FAA  and  EASA  have  required  a  number  of  such  procedures  with  regard  to  Boeing  737  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. Additionally, global aviation authorities 
are currently undertaking certain safety reviews of the Boeing 737-MAX-8 as a result of the grounding of such aircraft 
due to safety concerns in March 2019, which has delayed the delivery of 737-MAX-200 aircraft ordered from Boeing. 
Ryanair’s policy  is to implement any required safety 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, delays in the delivery of aircraft 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 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, 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.  

In  light  of  the  uncertainty  surrounding  Brexit,  on  8  March  2019  the  Board  of  Directors  passed  a  number  of 
resolutions which will become effective from the date on which U.K. nationals cease to qualify as nationals of Member 
States for the purposes of Article 4 of EU Regulation No. 1008/2008 ("Hard Brexit Day"). In accordance with the powers 
delegated to the Board of Directors pursuant to the Articles, the Board has resolved that with effect from Hard Brexit Day: 

(i)  All Ordinary Shares and Depositary Shares held by or on behalf of non-EU (including U.K.) shareholders 

will be treated as "Restricted Shares" (within the meaning of the Articles); 

(ii)  Restricted Share Notices will be issued to the registered holder(s) of each Restricted Share, specifying that 
the  holder(s)  of  such  shares  shall  not  be  entitled  to  attend,  speak  or  vote  at  any  general  meeting  of  the 
Company for so long as those shares are treated as Restricted Shares; 

(iii) Notwithstanding the powers vested in the chairman of general meetings of the Company pursuant to Article 
41(J)(i) of the Articles, the chairman will not vote any Restricted Shares at any meeting of the Company. 

Licensing authorities in  Austria, Ireland and Poland have confirmed respectively in the case of Laudamotion, 
Ryanair DAC and Ryanair Sun that these resolutions ensure that the Company’s subsidiaries will remain complaint with 
EU  Regulation  No.  1008/2008  should  Hard  Brexit  Day  occur.  These  resolutions  will  remain  in  place  until  the  Board 
determines that the ownership and control of the Company is no longer such that there is any risk to the airline licences 
held by the Company's subsidiaries pursuant to EU Regulation No. 1008/2008. For the avoidance of doubt, the prohibition 
(referred to in the second paragraph of this section) on non-EU nationals acquiring Ordinary Shares in Ryanair Holdings 
plc, as announced by the Company on 5 February 2002, continues to apply.  Consequently, with effect from Hard Brexit 
Day, U.K. nationals will not be permitted to acquire Ordinary Shares in the Company. In addition, in order to provide 
contingency in the event of disruption to existing traffic rights on Brexit, in December 2018 the Company’s subsidiary, 
Ryanair U.K., secured a U.K. AOC. 

As of June 30, 2019, ADRs accounted for approximately 44.3% 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 ADRs. 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, accounting standards in relation to 

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the timing of recognition of revenue 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 materially adversely affect the market price of the 
Ordinary Shares and ADRs. 

Ryanair Holdings May or May Not Pay Dividends. Since its incorporation 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 its shares in the Company’s operating airlines 
and in other entities within the Ryanair Holdings group structure. 

Increased Costs for Possible Future ADR and Share Repurchases. As the ADRs have historically traded on the 
NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) at a premium compared to Ordinary Shares, the inclusion of ADRs in buy-back 
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 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 

  Ordinary   Ordinary Shares    Total    Total 

  Average Price per 

  Shares 
    M’ 
10.9 
33.8 
50.7 
44.7 
37.8 

 Underlying ADR    Share    Spent 
    M’ 
     €’M 
   10.9     112 
   53.7     706 
   72.3     1,018    
   46.7     829 
   37.8     561 

M’ 
— 
19.9 
21.6 
2.0 
— 

Share 
€ 
10.28 
13.15 
14.08 
17.75 
14.84 

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 a low fare, scheduled-passenger airline serving short- haul, point-to-point 
routes  mainly  within  Europe.  In  fiscal  year  2019,  the  Company  set  up  Ryanair  Sun  (a  Polish  charter  and  scheduled 
passenger airline with a Polish AOC), acquired Laudamotion (an Austrian scheduled passenger airline with an Austrian 
AOC), and set-up Ryanair U.K. (with a U.K. AOC).  In June 2019, Malta Air became the fifth airline in the Ryanair Group. 
See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—History” for detail on the history of the company.  As of 
June 30, 2019, Ryanair had a principal fleet of over 455 Boeing 737 aircraft and 20 Airbus A320 aircraft, and offered over 
2,500 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 €885.0m in fiscal year 2019, as compared with a 
profit of €1,450.2m in fiscal year 2018. This 39% decrease was primarily attributable to lower fares due to over-capacity 
in  European  short-haul,  a  28%  increase  in  fuel  costs,  a  33%  increase  in  staff  costs  and  a  €139.5m  start-up  loss  in 
Laudamotion.  Ryanair  generated  an  average  booked  passenger  load  factor  of  approximately  96%  in  fiscal  year  2019, 
compared to 95% in fiscal year 2018, and average booked passenger fare of €37.18 per passenger in fiscal year 2019, 
down  from €39.40 in the prior fiscal  year. The  Company  has focused on  maintaining low operating costs (€47.02 per 
passenger in fiscal year 2019, an increase from €42.08 in fiscal year 2018). 

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Management believes that 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 142.1 million passengers in fiscal year 2019. 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 favorable results compared to many 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. 

STRATEGY 

Ryanair’s objective is to establish itself as Europe’s biggest scheduled passenger airline group, 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 delivers industry leading punctuality (target >90%) and fewer lost 
bags than its peer group in Europe. Ryanair achieves this by focusing strongly on the execution of these services. 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 and bundles that improve its offering to customers. 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 2019, Ryanair flew an average route length of 774 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 

74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
avoid the costs of providing “through service,” for connecting passengers, including baggage transfer and transit passenger 
assistance. 

Low Operating Costs. Management believes that Ryanair’s operating costs are among the lowest of any European 
scheduled-passenger airline group. 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 currently operates “next generation”  Boeing 737-800s and 
expects to commence operating the updated Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft in fiscal year 2020. The operation of 
primarily  a  single  aircraft  type  (mainly  B737s)  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. The strength of Ryanair’s balance sheet and cashflows also 
enables the group to lease aircraft at attractive rates (such as the A320s leased by Laudamotion). See Item 4. 
“Aircraft” below for additional information on Ryanair’s fleet. The Company has a BBB+ (stable) 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  incentivizing  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 reducing 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 “My Ryanair” account, easier booking 
flow, more content, faster, intuitive and fully responsive for mobile devices. The “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 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 34-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  an  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, Ryanair Rooms Direct 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 32% of Ryanair’s total operating revenues in 
fiscal  year  2019  and  approximately  28%  of  Ryanair’s  total  operating  revenues  in  fiscal  year  2018.  See  “—Ancillary 
Services” below and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year 2019 
Compared with Fiscal Year 2018—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 65 
aircraft in fiscal year 2019 during the winter season; (ii) disposing of aircraft (lease hand backs totaled 5 in fiscal year 
2019); (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.  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.” 

77 

 
 
 
ROUTE SYSTEM, SCHEDULING AND FARES 

Route System and Scheduling 

As  of  July  25  2019,  the  Company  offered  over  2,500  scheduled  short-haul  flights  per  day  serving  over  200 

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

Alicante 
Athens 
Baden-Baden 
Barcelona (Girona) 
Barcelona (El Prat) 
Bari 
Belfast 
Berlin 
Birmingham 
Bologna 
Bordeaux 
Bournemouth 
Bratislava 
Brindisi 
Bristol 
Brussels (Charleroi) 
Brussels (Zaventem) 
Bucharest 
Budapest 
Cagliari 
Catania 
Cologne 
Cork 
Dublin 
Dusseldorf 
Dusseldorf (Weeze) 
East Midlands 
Edinburgh 
Faro 
Fez 
Frankfurt (Hahn) 

Paphos 
Pescara 
Pisa 
Ponta Delgada 
Porto 
Poznan 
Prague 
Rome (Ciampino) 
Rome (Fiumicino) 
Santiago 
Seville 
Shannon 
Sofia 
Stockholm (Skavsta) 
Stuttgart 
Tegel 
Tenerife South 
Thessaloniki 
Toulouse (a) 
Valencia 
Vienna 
Vilnius 
Warsaw (Modlin) 
Wroclaw 

Operating Bases 

Frankfurt Main 
Gdansk 
Glasgow (Prestwick) 
Gothenburg 
Gran Canaria 
Hamburg 
Ibiza 
Katowice (b) 
Kaunas 
Krakow 
Lamezia 
Lanzarote 
Leeds Bradford 
Lisbon 
Liverpool 
London (Luton) 
London (Southend) 
London (Stansted) 
Madrid 
Malaga 
Malta 
Manchester 
Marrakech 
Marseille 
Memmingen 
Milan (Bergamo) 
Milan (Malpensa) 
Naples 
Nuremburg 
Palermo 
Palma Mallorca 

(a)  In February 2019, Ryanair announced that it would open a base in Toulouse from October 2019. 
(b)  In March 2019, Ryanair announced that it would open a base in Katowice from October 2019. 

See Note 17, “Analysis of operating revenues and segmental analysis,” to the consolidated financial statements 

included in Item 18 for more information regarding the geographical sources of the Company’s revenue. 

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. 

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
During fiscal year 2019, Ryanair launched 316 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. In doing so, Ryanair primarily advertises its services in national and regional media across Europe. In addition, 
Ryanair  uses  advertising  and  social  media.  Other  marketing  activities  include  the  distribution  of  advertising  and 
promotional  material  and  cooperative  advertising  campaigns  with  other  travel-related  entities,  including  local  tourist 
boards.  Ryanair  also  regularly  contacts  people  registered  in  its  database  to  inform  them  about  promotions  and  special 
offers. 

RESERVATIONS ON RYANAIR.COM 

Passenger airlines generally rely on travel agents (whether traditional or online) for a significant portion of their 
ticket sales and pay travel agents’ commissions for their services, as well as reimbursing them for the fees charged by 
reservation systems providers. In contrast, Ryanair requires passengers to make reservations and purchase tickets directly 
through  the  Company  (Ryanair.com,  Lauda.com  and  Ryanairsun.com).  The  vast  majority  of  such  reservations  and 
purchases are made through the website Ryanair.com although an increasing number of customers are also booking via 
Lauda.com and Ryanairsun.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. The Company has also entered into an agreement with the GDSs 
Travelport (which operates the Galileo and Worldspan GDS) and Sabre. 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.”  

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Boeing Aircraft 

AIRCRAFT 

As of June 30, 2019, the Company had a fleet of 455 Boeing 737 aircraft which are currently operated by Ryanair, 
Ryanair Sun (soon to be rebranded Buzz) and Malta Air. The fleet was composed of Boeing 737-800 “next generation” 
aircraft, each having 189 seats. The Company’s fleet totaled 455 Boeing 737-800s at March 31, 2019.  

Between March 1999 and June 2019, Ryanair took delivery of 531 new Boeing 737-800 “next generation” aircraft 

under its contracts with Boeing and disposed of 76 such aircraft, including 51 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 and ending in December 2018. 
These aircraft benefited 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 expected to begin in 
fiscal 2020 (subject to delays related to safety reviews by global regulators of the Boeing 737-MAX aircraft). The new 
aircraft will be used on new and existing routes to grow the Company’s business. 

The Boeing 737-800 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 under the 2013 Boeing 
Contract  was  approximately  US$78.5m  and  this  basic  price  was  increased  for  certain  “buyer-furnished”  equipment, 
amounting to approximately US$2.9m per new aircraft, which the Company asked Boeing to purchase and install on each 
of the new aircraft. In addition, an “Escalation Factor” was applied to the basic price to reflect increases in the Employment 
Cost Index and Producer Price Index between the time the basic price was set in the 2013 Boeing Contract and the period 
18 to 24 months prior to the delivery of any such new aircraft.  

Boeing granted the Company certain price concessions as part of the 2013 Boeing Contract. These took the form 
of credit memoranda to the Company for the amount of such concessions, which were applied 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 fitted on the 2013 Boeing Contract aircraft) 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 effectively reduced the price of 
each new aircraft payable by  the Company.  As a result,  the “effective price” (the purchase price  of the aircraft  net of 
discounts received from Boeing) of each aircraft under the 2013 Boeing Contract was significantly below the basic price 
mentioned above. The effective price applied to all Boeing 737-800 aircraft delivered under the 2013 Boeing Contract. 

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 under the 2014 Boeing 
Contract  is  approximately  US$102m  and  the  basic  price  will  be  increased  for  certain  "buyer-furnished"  equipment, 
amounting to approximately US$1.6m per new aircraft, which the Company 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 Boeing 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 fiscal year 2020. 

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 the Company currently leases 26 of the aircraft in its 
operating fleet, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”  

80 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Boeing 737 is the world’s most widely used commercial aircraft and exists in a number of generations, the 

Boeing 737-MAX-200 being the most recent in current production.  

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 fiscal year 2020. For additional information, 
please see “Item 3 – A majority of Ryanair’s aircraft and certain parts are sourced from a single supplier; therefore, Ryanair 
would be materially and adversely affected if such supplier were unable to provide additional equipment or support”. 

At March 31, 2019, the average aircraft age of the Company’s Boeing 737-800 fleet was approximately 7 years. 

Airbus Aircraft 

As  of  March  31,  2019  the  Company  had  a  fleet  of  16  leased  Airbus  A320  aircraft.  The  Company  expects  to 
operate approximately 35 leased A320 aircraft by summer 2020. These aircraft are operated by Laudamotion and have 
180 seats. They are powered by a mix of CFM 56-7B and Pratt & Whitney V2500 engines. The average lease term on the 
agreements is 5 years and the average aircraft age at March 31, 2019 was approximately 12 years. 

Summary 

The Company expects to have an operating fleet comprising approximately 585 narrow body aircraft at March 
31, 2024, depending on the level of lease handbacks and aircraft disposals. The operating fleet will comprise of a mix of 
Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-MAX-200 and Airbus A320 aircraft. The Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft are expected to be 
delivered in fiscal year 2020 and will have 197 seats. 

Training and Regulatory Compliance 

Ryanair currently owns and operates 11 Boeing 737-800NG and 1 Boeing 737-MAX full flight simulators for 
pilot training. The simulators were purchased from CAE Electronics Ltd. of Quebec, Canada (“CAE”). Ryanair has ordered 
4 new Boeing 737-MAX full flight simulators from CAE which will deliver in fiscal year 2020 and 2021. In addition, 
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. Ryanair has 3 additional fixed base simulators on order from MPS. 

Management believes that Ryanair is currently in compliance with all applicable regulations and EU directives 
concerning its fleet of Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 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, in particular safety-related undertakings related to the Boeing 737-MAX-200. See “Item 
3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Airline Industry— Safety-Related Undertakings Could Affect 
the Company’s Results.”  

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  2019 
Compared with Fiscal Year 2018—Ancillary Revenues” for additional information. 

Ryanair primarily markets accommodation services, holidays, car hire and travel insurance through its website 
and  mobile app. 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  markets  car  parking,  attractions  and  activities  on  its  website  &  mobile  app.  Ryanair  also  sells  gift 

vouchers, which are redeemable online. 

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  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 U.K. CAA 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), Kaunas, Madrid, Wroclaw, 
Seville 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 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 was extended to accommodate an additional 
four full flight simulators which was completed in September 2018. Ryanair installed its first Boeing 737-MAX-200 full 
flight simulator in Stansted in March 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, has leased a second hangar and is constructing a third hangar in Bergamo, Italy which are used for line maintenance 
activities and A-checks. Ryanair has also built a technological centre of excellence in Bergamo to accommodate two full 

82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

Heavy Maintenance 

As  noted  above,  Ryanair  currently  has  sufficient  capacity  itself  to  be  able  to  carry  out  all  of  the  routine 

maintenance work required on its Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320 fleet. 

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 has been training engineering staff over the past year with Boeing and CFM in advance of the introduction of the 
Boeing 737-MAX-200 aircraft in fiscal year 2020.  

Ryanair  expects  to  be  dependent  on  external  service  contractors  for  A320  and  B737  heavy  maintenance, 
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  34-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 and Security 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 Ryanair DAC Accountable Manager, 
Neil  Sorahan),  and  reports  to  the  Board  of  Directors.  Ryanair’s  Chief  Risk  Officer,  Carol  Sharkey,  chairs  quarterly 
meetings  of  the  Group  airlines  Accountable  Managers.  This  forum  facilitates  the  sharing  of  best  Safety  and  Security 
practice across the Group. 

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 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).  

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

Ryanair has installed an automatic data capturing system on each of its Boeing 737 and A320 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. Blue Handling (part of the Omniserve Group) provides 
Ryanair’s  ticketing,  passenger  and  aircraft  handling,  and  ground  handling  services  at  Ryanair’s  largest  base,  Stansted, 
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),  Portugal  and  Poland. 
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  contracts  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. 

84 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

FUEL 

The cost of jet fuel accounted for approximately 36% and 35% of Ryanair’s total operating expenses in the fiscal 
years  ended  March  31,  2019  and  2018,  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 1.0% of total 
fuel costs in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 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 in 
absence of 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 significant 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  2019 
Compared with Fiscal Year 2018—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  $15.0m.  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 facilities owned or leased by the Ryanair Group: 

FACILITIES 

Location 
Dublin Airport 
Airside Business Park, Dublin  
Vienna Airport (Hangar) 
Vienna Airport (Hangar) 
Vienna Airport (Hangar) 
Vienna Airport 
Vienna, Austria 
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 
East Midlands Airport 
Prestwick Airport (Hangar) 
Bremen Airport 

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

Site Area    Floor Space  

     (Sq. Meters)      (Sq. Meters)       Tenure 

 1,370   
 12,286   
 10,467  
 225  
 635  
 1,239  
 1,325  
 1,620   
 5,200   
 516   
 605   

 12,161   
 375   
 378   
 3,890   
 2,045   
 10,052   
 5,952   

 1,649    Leasehold   
 9,443    Freehold   
 5,597   Leasehold  
 225   Leasehold  
 635   Leasehold   Aircraft Maintenance and Administration 

Activity 
Administrative Offices 
Office & Simulator Training Center 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance 

 1,239   Leasehold  
 1,325   Leasehold  
 1,620    Leasehold   
 5,000    Leasehold   
 516    Leasehold   
 605    Leasehold   

 10,301    Leasehold   
 375    Leasehold   
 531    Leasehold   
 2,801    Freehold   
 634    Leasehold   
 10,052    Leasehold   

Aircraft Maintenance 
Administrative Offices 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Administrative Offices 
Operations Center 
Aircraft Maintenance and Simulator 
Training Center 
Training Center 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Simulator Training Center 
Training Center 
Aircraft Maintenance 

 5,874    Leasehold    Terminal and Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 

 5,064   
 4,125   

 5,064    Leasehold   
 2,200    Leasehold   

 5,000   
 8,701   
 1,935   
 512   
 1,936  
 4,500  
 1,850   
 1,914  
 9,800  

 2,500    Freehold   
 7,484    Leasehold   
 1,935    Leasehold   
 512    Leasehold   
 1,936   Leasehold  
 4,500   Leasehold  
 1,850    Leasehold   
 1,914   Leasehold  
 8,000   Leasehold  

Aircraft Maintenance & Simulator 
Training Center 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Cabin Crew, Engineering & Simulator 
Training Center 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Travel Labs Poland 
Administrative Offices 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Aircraft Maintenance 
Travel Labs Madrid 
Aircraft Maintenance 

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 third party service providers. 

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
TRADEMARKS 

Ryanair’s name and logo are registered as European Union Trade Marks (“EUTMs”). Ryanair has also registered 
the  slogans  “Ryanair.com  The  Low  Fares  Website”  and  “Low  Fares.  Made  Simple”  and  the  domain  name 
“Ryanairhotels.com” as EUTMs.  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  in respect of similar services and the right to sue for trademark 
infringement should another party use an identical or similar mark in relation to identical or similar services.  

Ryanair may be required to apply to the U.K. Intellectual Property Office to register its trademarks in the U.K. 

post-Brexit. 

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); and  

•  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 what management believes are 
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 a 5 year timeframe; and 
•  Allowing customers to voluntarily offset the carbon cost of their flights. 

Investing billions of euro in new, fuel efficient aircraft; 

Ryanair  manages its impact on the  environment and lowers 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 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Authorities 

GOVERNMENT REGULATION 

EU air carriers such as the Company and the Airline Entities are generally able to provide passenger services on 
domestic  routes  within  any  EU  member  state  outside  their  home  country  of  operations  without  restriction,  subject  to 
applicable EU regulations implemented by the European Commission and EASA, as well as oversight by the European 
Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (“Eurocontrol”).  The Airline Entities are also subject to national regulation 
in their home countries, which is implemented primarily by (i) in Ireland, the Irish Commission for Aviation Regulation 
(“CAR”), the IAA and the Irish Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (“DTTAS”) in the case of Ryanair DAC, (ii) 
in Poland, the Polish Civil Aviation Authority (“Polish CAA”) in the case of Ryanair Sun, (iii) in Austria, Österreichische 
Gesellschaft  für  Zivilluftfahrt  (“Austro  Control”)  and  the  Austrian  Federal  Ministry  for  Transport,  Innovation  and 
Technology (“Austrian BMVIT”) in the case of  Laudamotion, (iv) in the  United  Kingdom, the UK  CAA and the UK 
Department for Transport (“U.K. DfT”) in the case of Ryanair U.K., and (v) in Malta, Transport Malta and the Maltese 
Civil Aviation Directorate (“Maltese CAD”) in the case of Malta Air.  

Management  believes  that  the  present  regulatory  environment  in  the  EU  is  generally  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.  

Ireland 

Commission for Aviation Regulation. The CAR is responsible for issuing operating licences to Irish air carriers 
under the provisions of EU Regulation 1008/2008. 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  its  management.  In  addition,  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 EU nationals 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 05/16) was issued by the CAR on September 20, 2016 and is subject to 

periodic review.  

Irish Aviation Authority. The IAA is primarily responsible for regulating the safety, security and technical aspects 
of aviation in Ireland. The IAA has broad regulatory and enforcement powers, including the authority to require reports 
and investigate and institute enforcement proceedings. 

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. The IAA has 
broad authority to amend or revoke an AOC, with Ryanair’s ability to continue to hold its AOC being subject to ongoing 
compliance with current and future applicable statutes, rules and regulations pertaining to the airline industry. Ryanair’s 
DAC’s current AOC (No IE 07/94) was issued by the IAA on October 3, 2016.  

Each aircraft operated by Ryanair DAC is required to have a Certificate of Airworthiness issued by the IAA. The 
validity of each Certificate of Airworthiness, and the Company’s Flight Operations Department, flight personnel, flight 
and emergency procedures, aircraft, and maintenance facilities are each subject to periodic review and inspections by the 
IAA.  

89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The DTTAS is responsible for implementation of certain EU and 

Irish legislation and international standards relating to air transport. 

Poland 

Polish Civil Aviation Authority.  The Polish CAA is a government body and the civil aviation supervisory authority in 
Poland. Apart from certification and licencing of airlines, the Polish CAA performs operational and regulatory functions 
in all matters relating to qualifications of personnel, safety, security, as well as maintaining registers of aircraft, personnel 
and training entities, amongst others.  

The Company’s subsidiary, Ryanair Sun, obtained an AOC (No PL-066) and operating licence (No ULC-LER-1/4000-
0156/06/17) from the Polish CAA in April 2018.  

Austria 

Österreichische Gesellschaft für Zivilluftfahrt.  Austro Control is - among others - responsible for the management of the 
Austrian aircraft register, ensuring compliance with national and European civil aviation standards, ensuring compliance 
with air traffic regulations, supervising  maintenance and aviation operations and issuing  pilot licenses.  Laudamotion’s 
flight operations, aircraft, maintenance facilities and flight crew are subject to ongoing review and inspections by Austro 
Control.  

Austrian  Federal  Ministry  for  Transport,  Innovation  and  Technology.  The  Austrian  BMVIT  is  the  supreme 
authority  for  civil  aviation  in  Austria  and  is,  among  others,  responsible  for  issuing  airline  licences  and  overseeing 
compliance with the requirements of EU Regulation 1008/2008. 

The Company’s subsidiary, Laudamotion, holds an AOC (No A-089) issued by the Austro Control on February 
03, 2016 and an operating licence (GZ. BMVIT-51.335/0003-IV/L2/2019) issued by the Austrian BMVIT on May 5, 2019. 

U.K. 

U.K. Civil Aviation Authority. The U.K. CAA is primarily responsible for: ensuring safety standards, consumer protection, 
efficient use of airspace and security risks. To operate in the EU, a U.K. air carrier is required to hold an AOC granted by 
the CAA attesting to the air carrier’s operational and technical competence to conduct airline services with specified types 
of aircraft. The CAA has an authority to amend or revoke the AOC, with Ryanair U.K.’s ability to continue to hold its 
AOC being subject to ongoing compliance with applicable statutes. Ryanair U.K.’s flight operations, aircraft, maintenance 
facilities and air crew are subject to ongoing review and inspections by the CAA.  

The Company’s subsidiary, Ryanair U.K., obtained an AOC (No GB 2451) and an operating license (No GB 2451) from 
the U.K. CAA on December 20, 2018.  

U.K. Department for Transport. The U.K. DfT is responsible for implementation of certain EU and U.K. legislation and 
international standards relating to air transport.  

Malta  

Maltese Civil Aviation Directorate. The Maltese CAD is Malta's aviation regulator, assisting the Maltese Director General 
for Civil Aviation in fostering the development of civil aviation in Malta within a safety oversight system. The Maltese 
CAD is responsible for: the safety of aircraft, aircraft and aerodrome operators, air navigation service providers, licensing 
of aeronautical personnel and the conclusion of international air services agreements. To operate in the EU, a Maltese air 
carrier is required to hold an AOC granted by the Maltese  CAD attesting to the air carrier’s operational and technical 
competence to conduct airline services with specified types of aircraft. The Maltese CAD has an authority to amend or 
revoke the AOC, with Malta Air’s ability to continue to hold its AOC being subject to ongoing compliance with applicable 
statutes.  Malta  Air’s  flight  operations,  aircraft,  maintenance  facilities  and  air  crew  are  subject  to  ongoing  review  and 
inspections by the Maltese CAD.  

90 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company’s subsidiary, Malta Air, obtained an AOC (No MT-57) and operating license (No (CAD/MT-57) from the 
Maltese CAD on June 12, 2019. 

Transport Malta.  Transport Malta is a government body overseeing transport in Malta, including the work of the Maltese 
CAD. It is responsible for implementation of certain EU and Maltese legislation and international standards relating to air 
transport. 

European Union 

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

The European Union has 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 has 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. 

91 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, eleven of the 
twelve 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.   

The Company’s aircraft operated by Ryanair Sun are registered in Poland, the aircraft operated by Ryanair U.K. 
are registered in the U.K., the aircraft operated by Laudamotion are registered in Austria and the aircraft operated by Malta 
Air  are  registered  in  Malta.  In  each  of  these  countries  similar  regulations  apply  to  the  registration  of  aircraft  as  those 
described above in relation to aircraft operated by Ryanair DAC, which are 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. 

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 

92 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 EU’s 
GDPR as well as relevant national implementing legislation (Irish Data Protection Act 2018). The GDPR became directly 
applicable across the member states of the European Economic Area 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 €20m 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  “Item  3.  Key  Information  –  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, Wroclaw, Kaunas, Sevilla, Madrid and Vienna. However, at all times 
Ryanair’s storage and handling of these substances complies with the relevant regulatory requirements. At all 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-U.K. facilities Ryanair adheres to all local and EU regulations. 

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. 

93 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 mainly Boeing 737-800 “next generation” aircraft with an average age of 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 a  younger 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  are  expected  to  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 $21.5bn (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 Boeing 737 aircraft and all future Boeing 737s 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. The Laudamotion A320 fleet has a high density of 180 seats;  

has reduced per-passenger emissions through higher load factors (96% in fiscal year 2019); 

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.  

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 2018, Ryanair emitted 11,710,635 tCO2 (Calendar 2017: 10,765,881), which equates to 0.085 tCO2 (Calendar 2017: 
0.084) per passenger. 

94 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aviation Taxes. Ryanair is fundamentally opposed to the introduction of additional aviation taxes, including new 
environmental taxes, fuel taxes or emissions levies. Ryanair has offered, and continues to offer, among the lowest fares in 
Europe, to make passenger air travel affordable and accessible to European consumers. Ryanair paid over €540m in various 
environmental taxes in fiscal year 2019 and this amount will grow to circa €630m in fiscal year 2020. 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. 

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.  

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 Ryanair DAC 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 

95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
regulating  body  in  this  area.  The  Authority  periodically  reviews  Ryanair  DAC’s  health  and  safety  record  and  when 
appropriate,  issues  improvement  notices  or  prohibition  notices.  Ryanair  DAC  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 Austrian Employment Protection Act (Arbeitnehmerschutzgesetz), published in BGBl. 450/1994, with amendments 
and other regulations under that Act, applies to Laudamotion. Compliance is monitored by the Austrian Department of 
Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection. 

For Malta Air, health and occupational safety issues are addressed in the Maltese Occupational Health and Safety Authority 
Act XXVII of 2000. Compliance is monitored by the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (“OHSA”), which enforces 
the law in workplaces. OHSA advises the Minister responsible for occupational health and safety regarding the making of 
regulations to promote, maintain and protect a high level of occupational health and safety, as well as takes enforcement 
action. OHSA can also carry out investigations on any matter concerning occupational health and safety. 

Health  and  occupational  safety  issues  relating  to  Ryanair  U.K.  are  addressed  by  the  Health  and  Safety  at  Work  Act. 
Compliance is monitored by the Health and Safety Executive (“HSE”), which enforces the law in workplaces.  

The Polish Labour Code (Journal of Laws of 2019, item 1040, with amendments) covers health and occupational safety 
issues. Under Article 18 of the Labour Code, compliance with provisions on health and occupational safety is monitored 
by the National Labour Inspectorate (“Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy”) and the National Sanitary Inspectorate (“Państwowa 
Inspekcja Sanitarna”). The Company’s operations are subject to the general laws of Ireland, Austria, Malta, Poland, and 
the United Kingdom, and, insofar as they are applicable, the laws of the EU. The Company may also become subject to 
additional regulatory requirements in the future. The Company is also subject to local laws  and regulations at locations 
where it operates and the regulations of various local authorities that operate the airports it serves. 

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY 

For  certain  information  about  each  of  the  Company’s  key  facilities,  see  “—Facilities”  above.  Management 

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

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments 

There are no unresolved staff comments. 

Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects 

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

HISTORY 

Ryanair’s current business strategy dates to the early 1990s, when 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, 2019, Ryanair launched service on more than 2,100 routes throughout Europe and 
also increased the frequency  of service on a number of its principal routes. During that period, Ryanair established 86 

96 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
airports as bases of operations. During fiscal years 2019 and 2020 the Company established a low cost airline Group adding 
startup airlines in Poland (Ryanair Sun) and the U.K. (Ryanair U.K.) along with the acquisition of Laudamotion (Austria) 
and Malta Air (Malta) to Ryanair DAC in Ireland. 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 4.9m in 
fiscal year 1999 to approximately 142.1m in fiscal year 2019. As of June 30, 2019, Ryanair had a principal fleet of 455 
Boeing 737-800 aircraft and 20 Airbus A320 aircraft and now serves over 200 airports.  

Ryanair expects to have approximately 585 narrow body 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.  

97 

 
 
 
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 0.9m passengers in the calendar year 1992 to approximately 142.1m passengers in fiscal year 2019. 

Ryanair’s revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”) increased approximately 9% from 101,022m in fiscal year 2018 to 
109,976m in fiscal year 2019 due to an increase of approximately 9% in scheduled available seat miles (“ASMs”) from 
105,735m in fiscal year 2018 to 115,524m in fiscal year 2019. Scheduled passenger revenues increased from €5,134.0m 
in fiscal year 2018 to €5,261.1m in fiscal year 2019. Average booked passenger fare decreased from €39.40 in fiscal year 
2018 to €37.03 in fiscal year 2019. 

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 fiscal year 2018 and 83% in fiscal year 2019. Cost per passenger was 
€42.08 in fiscal year 2018 and €47.02 in fiscal year 2019, with the higher fuel cost per passenger of €17.08 in fiscal year 
2019 as compared to €14.60 in fiscal year 2018 being the most significant factor behind this increase. Ryanair recorded 
operating profits of €1,667.3m in fiscal year 2018 and €1,016.8m in fiscal year 2019. The Company recorded a profit after 
taxation of €1,450.2m in fiscal year 2018 and €885.0m in fiscal year 2019. Ryanair took delivery of 29 Boeing 737-800 
aircraft in fiscal year 2019. The Company is planning on the basis of taking delivery of approximately 30 Boeing 737-
MAX-200 aircraft in advance of summer 2020 and expects that these deliveries, net of lease handbacks and aircraft sales, 
will allow for an approximately 3% increase in fiscal year 2020 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; the ability of the Company to generate 
profits  for  new  acquisitions;  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; the availability of aircraft; 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; aircraft safety concerns; flight disruptions caused by 
periodic and prolonged ATC 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.” 

98 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RECENT OPERATING RESULTS 

The Company’s profit after tax for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 (the first quarter of the Company’s fiscal year 
2019) was €242.9m as compared to €309.2m for the corresponding period of the previous year. The Company recorded a 
decrease in operating profit, from €370.5m in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 to €275.2m in the recently completed 
quarter. Total operating revenues increased from €2,078.9m in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 to €2,312.4m in the first 
quarter  of  fiscal  year  2020.  Operating  expenses  increased  from  €1,708.4m  in  the  first  quarter  of  fiscal  year  2019  to 
€2,037.2m in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, due primarily to increases in the cost of fuel and the increased costs 
associated with the growth of the airline group.  The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and financial 
assets with terms of less than three months amounted to €4,115.8m at June 30, 2019 as compared with €3,635.1m at June 
30, 2018. 

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, 2019, Ryanair had €bn of long-lived assets, of which €8.9bn 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.  

99 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company’s estimate of the recoverable amount of aircraft residual values is % 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 

      2019       

2017 

2018       
100 %     100 %     100 % 
 72   
 28   
 77   
 27   
 13   
 10   
 10   
 8   
 6   
 2   
 1   
 23   
 (1)   
 —   
 22   
 (2)   
 20   

68   
32   
87   
32   
14   
13   
10   
8   
7   
2   
1   
13   
(1)   
 —   
12   
 (1)   
11   

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

FISCAL YEAR 2019 COMPARED WITH FISCAL YEAR 2018 

Profit after taxation. Ryanair recorded a profit on ordinary activities after taxation of €885.0m in fiscal year 2019, 
as compared with a profit of €1,450.2m in fiscal year 2018. This 39% decrease was primarily attributable to higher fuel 
prices, pilot pay increases, higher EU261 compensation costs due to the high level of ATC strikes/disruptions and year 1 
start up losses in Laudamotion which became a subsidiary in August 2018. 

Scheduled revenues. Ryanair's scheduled passenger revenues increased by 2%, from €5,134.0m in fiscal 2018 to 
€5,261.1m in fiscal year 2019, primarily reflecting the 9% increase in the number of booked passengers from 130.3m to 
142.1m, offset by the 6% decrease in average fare from €39.40 to €37.03. Booked passenger load factors increased to 96% 
in fiscal year 2019 compared with 95% in fiscal year 2018. 

Passenger capacity during fiscal year 2019 increased by 9% due to an increase in the average number of aircraft 
in the fleet. Scheduled passenger revenues accounted for 68% of Ryanair's total revenues in fiscal year 2019 and 72% in 
fiscal year 2018.  

Ancillary revenues. Ryanair's ancillary revenues, which comprise revenues from non-flight scheduled operations, 
in-flight sales and internet-related services, increased by 21%, from €2,017.0m in fiscal year 2018 to €2,436.3m in fiscal 
year 2019, while ancillary revenues per booked passenger increased by 11% to €17.15 from €15.48. The overall increase 
in ancillary revenues was stimulated by an increase in the sales of reserved seating and priority boarding offset by the 
timing of revenue recognition on certain fees (approximately €38m) following the transition to IFRS 15. 

100 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses. As a percentage of total revenues, Ryanair's operating expenses increased from 77% in the 
fiscal year 2018 to 87% in fiscal year 2019. Total revenues increased by 8%, slower than the 22% increase in operating 
expenses. In absolute terms, total operating expenses increased by 22%, from €5,483.7m in fiscal year 2018 to €6,680.6m 
in fiscal year 2019, principally as a result of increased costs associated with the growth of the airline group. Route charges, 
depreciation, maintenance, materials and repairs and aircraft rentals all remained flat as a percentage of total revenues. 
while fuel and oil expenses, airport and handling charges, staff costs (reflecting pilot pay increases and higher engineering 
headcount) and marketing, distribution and other (which includes EU261 compensation costs) increased. Total operating 
cost per passenger increased by 12%, with the increase reflecting, principally, a 17% increase in per passenger fuel costs, 
with an increase in non-fuel costs of 9%. 

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 2019 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 2019 and 2018 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,    

2019 
€ 
17.08   
7.47   
6.93   
5.24   
4.51   
3.86   
1.34   
0.59   
47.02   

     % Change   

2018 
€ 

 14.60   
 7.19   
 5.67   
 5.39   
 4.31   
 3.15   
 1.14   
 0.63   
 42.08   

17 % 
4 % 
22 % 
(3) % 
5 % 
22 % 
18 % 
(7) % 
12 % 

101 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel  and  oil.  Ryanair's  fuel  and  oil  costs  per  passenger  increased  by  17%,  while  in  absolute  terms,  these  costs 
increased by 28% from €1,902.8m in fiscal year 2018 to €2,427.3m in fiscal year 2019, in each case after giving effect to 
the Company's fuel hedging activities. The 28% increase reflected higher hedged fuel prices and a 9% 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) increased by 8% from €1.65 per U.S. gallon in fiscal year 2018 to €1.79 per U.S. gallon in 
fiscal year 2019, 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 increased by 4% in fiscal year 
2019 compared to fiscal year 2018. In absolute terms, airport and handling charges increased by 13%, from €938.6m in 
fiscal year 2018 to €1,061.5m in fiscal year 2019, broadly reflecting the 9% increase in passenger numbers. 

Staff costs. Ryanair's staff costs, which consist primarily of salaries, wages and benefits, increased by 22% on a per-
passenger basis, while in absolute terms, these costs increased by 33%, from €738.5m in fiscal year 2018 to €984.0 million 
in fiscal year 2019. The increase in absolute terms was primarily attributable the 9% increase in block hours, pilot pay 
increases,  additional engineering  headcount and the  impact of a 3% pay increase for non-flight-staff awarded in April 
2018. 

Route charges. Ryanair's route charges per passenger decreased by 3%. In absolute terms, route charges increased 
by 6%, from €701.8m in fiscal year 2018 to €745.2m in fiscal year 2019, primarily as a result of the 9% increase in sectors 
offset by a decrease in unit rates. 

Depreciation. Ryanair's depreciation per passenger increased by 5%, while in absolute terms these costs increased 
by 14% from €561.0m in fiscal year 2018 to €640.5m in fiscal year 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to 29 
additional owned aircraft in the fleet compared to fiscal year 2018. 

Marketing, distribution and other expenses. Ryanair's marketing, distribution and other operating expenses, including 
those applicable to the generation of ancillary revenues, increased by 22% on a per-passenger basis in fiscal year 2019, 
while in absolute terms, these costs increased by 33%, from €410.4m in fiscal year 2018 to €547.3m in fiscal year 2019, 
with  the  overall  increase  reflecting  higher  EU261  costs  arising  mainly  from  ATC  strikes/disruptions  and  related 
cancellations during the year. 

Maintenance, materials and repairs. Ryanair's maintenance, materials and repair expenses, which consist primarily 
of the cost of routine maintenance provision for leased aircraft and the overhaul of spare parts, increased by 18% on a per-
passenger basis, while in absolute terms these expenses increased by 29% from €148.3m in fiscal year 2018 to €190.9m 
in fiscal year 2019. The increase in absolute terms during the fiscal year was due to the higher number of shop visits for 
older aircraft and the timing of lease handbacks. 

Aircraft rentals. Aircraft rental expenses amounted to €83.9m in fiscal year 2019, a 2% increase from the €82.3m 
reported in fiscal year 2018, reflecting the increase in leases due to the addition of the Laudamotion A320 fleet offset by 
the handback of 6 B737 leases. 

Operating profit. As a result of the factors outlined above, operating profit decreased by 44% on a per-passenger 
basis in fiscal year 2019, while, in absolute terms, it decreased by 39% from €1,667.3m in fiscal year 2018 to €1,016.8m 
in fiscal year 2019. 

102 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finance expense. Ryanair's interest and  similar charges decreased by €1.0m, from €60.1m in  fiscal  year 2018 to    

€59.1m in fiscal year 2019 primarily due to lower gross debt. 

Finance income. Ryanair’s interest income increased by €1.7m from €2.0m in fiscal year 2018 to €3.7m in fiscal 

year 2019, primarily due to higher interest rates on deposits. 

Foreign exchange gains/losses. Ryanair recorded foreign exchange losses of €3.5m in fiscal year 2019, and gains of 

€2.1m in fiscal year 2018, primarily due to the impact of change in euro exchange rates against the U.S. dollar. 

Taxation. The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2019 was 6.7%, as compared to an effective tax rate of 10.0% in fiscal 

year 2018, reflecting the recognition of a deferred tax asset in Laudamotion. 

FISCAL YEAR 2018 COMPARED WITH FISCAL YEAR 2017 

Profit after taxation. Ryanair recorded a profit on ordinary activities after taxation of €1,450.2m in fiscal year 
2018, as compared with a profit of €1,315.9m 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 €4,868.2m in  fiscal  year 
2017 to €5,134.0m in fiscal year 2018, primarily reflecting the 9% increase in the number of booked  passengers from 
120.0m to 130.3m, 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 for fiscal year 2018, compared 
with 73% of total revenues 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 €1,779.6m in fiscal year 2017 to €2,017.0m 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. 

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 €5,113.8m in fiscal year 2017 to €5,483.7m 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. 

103 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 
Route charges 
Staff costs 
Depreciation 
Marketing, distribution and other 
Maintenance, materials and repairs 
Aircraft rentals 
Total operating expenses 

  Fiscal Year    Fiscal Year   
  Ended 
  March 31,     March 31,    

  Ended 

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) % 

Fuel and Oil. Ryanair's fuel and oil costs per passenger decreased by 8%, while in absolute terms, these costs 
decreased by 1% from €1,913.4m in fiscal year 2017 to €1,902.8m 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 €864.8m in 
fiscal year 2017 to €938.6m in fiscal year 2018, reflecting the 9% increase in passenger numbers. 

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

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 €633.0m in fiscal year 2017 to €738.5m 
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. 

Depreciation. Ryanair's depreciation per passenger increased by 4%, while in absolute terms these costs increased 
by 13% from €497.5m in fiscal year 2017 to €561.0m 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 €322.3m in fiscal year 2017 to €410.4m in fiscal year 
2018, with the overall increase reflecting an additional €25m in 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% 

104 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
on a per-passenger basis, while in absolute terms these expenses increased by 5% from €141.0m in fiscal year 2017 to 
€148.3m 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 €82.3m 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 €1,534.0m in fiscal year 2017 to €1,667.3m in fiscal 
year 2018. 

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

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

Finance income. Ryanair’s interest income decreased by €2.2m from €4.2m in fiscal year 2017 to €2.0m in fiscal 

year 2018, primarily due to significantly lower deposit interest rates. 

Foreign exchange gains/losses. Ryanair recorded foreign exchange gains of €2.1m in fiscal year 2018, and €0.7m 
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 €161.1m in fiscal year 2018, compared with a tax charge of €154.4m in fiscal year 2017. 

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. 

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, 2019 and 2018 of €3,160.0m and €3,645.5m, respectively. The decrease at March 31, 
2019 primarily reflects net capital expenditure of €1,546.7m, shareholders returns of €560.5m and debt repayments of 
€422.8m, offset by a profit after tax of €885.0m. 

The Company’s net cash inflows from operating activities in fiscal years 2019 and 2018 amounted to €2,017.5m 
and  €2,233.2m,  respectively.  The  €215.7m  decrease  in  net  cash  flows  from  operating  activities  for  fiscal  year  2019 
compared to fiscal  year 2018  was principally due to a  lower profit after tax of €565.2m offset by an increase in trade 
payables. 

105 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  €560.5m  in  fiscal  year  2019  and 
€829.1m in fiscal year 2018. Cash generated from operations and the issuance of a €750m 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 2018 and 2017 amounted to €2,233.2m 
and  €1,927.2m,  respectively.  The  €306.0m  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 €134.3m, depreciation and receipts for future 
flights offset by a decrease in trade payables. 

The Company’s net cash used in investing activities in fiscal year 2019 totaled €1,002.4m, 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 2018 totaled €719.4m, primarily reflecting the 

Company’s capital expenditures. 

Net cash used in financing activities totaled €854.5m in fiscal year 2019, largely reflecting shareholders returns 

of €531.6m and repayments of long term borrowings of €422.8m. 

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

of €829.1m and repayments of long term borrowings of €458.9m. 

Capital Expenditures. The Company’s net cash outflows for capital expenditures in fiscal years 2019 and 2018 
were €1,546.7m and €1,470.6m 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,  2019,  Ryanair  had  a  fleet  of  455  Boeing  737-800  aircraft,  144  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 (12 of the aircraft in the fleet as of March 31, 2019) and 
commercial debt financing (3 of the aircraft in the fleet as of March 31, 2019). Of Ryanair’s total fleet of 455 Boeing 737-
800 aircraft at March 31, 2019 there  were  26 aircraft  which  were financed through operating lease arrangements, 183 
aircraft  were  financed  from  Ryanair’s  own  resources  on  an  unsecured  basis  and  the  remaining  87  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 2020. 

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

  Mar 31,   Mar 31,   Mar 31,   Mar 31,   Mar 31,   Mar 31,  

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 
A320 operating leases 
Closing Fleet  
Best estimates, subject to FAA & EASA regulation approval of the MAX-200 aircraft 

2020 
 471   
 —   
 20   
 —   
 (11)   
 19  
 499   

2019   
 431   
 29   
 —   
 —   
 (5)   
 16  
 471   

2021 
 499   
 —   
 52   
 8   
 (30)   
 —  
 529   

2022 
 529   
 —   
 29   
 28   
 (30)   
 —  
 556   

2023 
 556   
 —   
 24   
 25   
 (28)   
 —  
 577   

2024 
  Total 
 577   
 431 
 —   
 29 
 10   
 135 
 75 
 14   
 (16)     (120) 
 35 
 —  
 585 
 585   

Capital Resources. Ryanair’s long-term debt (including current maturities) totaled €3,644.4m at March 31, 2019 
and €3,963.0m at March 31, 2018, 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 

106 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
finance leases as of March 31, 2019. 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, 2019, 144 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 7 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. 

At March 31, 2019, there were 16 A320 leased aircraft in the Laudamotion fleet. 6 of these aircraft were operating 
leases provided by Lufthansa. These 6 aircraft were ready for hand back/were handed back to Lufthansa at June 30, 2019. 
There were 20 operating leased A320 aircraft in the Laudamotion fleet at June 30, 2019. 

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 15% 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 5 
years in respect of approximately 85% of its outstanding aircraft debt financing at March 31, 2019 and approximately 15% 
of total debt was floating rate at that date. 

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 €850m in 1.875% unsecured Eurobonds with a 7-year tenor in June 2014, issuance of €850m in 
1.125% unsecured Eurobonds with an 8-year tenor in March 2015 and issuance of €750m 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 144 aircraft delivered and remaining in the fleet as of March 31, 2019 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 

107 

 
 
 
 
 
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.”  

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, 2019, Ryanair had 42 operating lease aircraft in the fleet including the 16 Laudamotion Airbus 
A320 leases. 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 42 operating leases are U.S. dollar-denominated and require Ryanair to make fixed rental payments. 32 of these 
leases are due to mature in the next 2 years. In addition to the above, the Company financed 30 of the Boeing 737-800 
aircraft delivered between March 2005 and March 2014 with 13-year euro-denominated JOLCOs. 12 of these JOLCO 
arrangements  are  still  outstanding  as  of  March  31,  2019. 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  12  of  these  aircraft  in  fiscal  year  2019.  3  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 €5bn EMTN 
program. Ryanair issued €850m in unsecured Eurobonds with a 7-year tenor at a coupon of 1.875% in June 2014, €850m 
in unsecured Eurobonds with an 8-year tenor at a coupon of 1.125% in March 2015 and €750m 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. 

In May 2019 Ryanair DAC entered into a €750m unsecured term loan facility, with a syndicate of 10 banks. The 

facility is at a cost of 0.65% per annum and has a 5 year tenor. The facility is 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, 2019. 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. 

108 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The amounts listed under “Finance Lease Obligations” reflect the Company’s obligations under its JOLCOs. See 

“Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Liquidity and Capital Resources.” 

The amounts listed under “Purchase Obligations” in the table reflect obligations for aircraft purchases and are 
calculated by multiplying the number of aircraft the Company is obligated to purchase under its current agreements with 
Boeing during the relevant period by the Basic Price for each aircraft pursuant to the relevant contract, with the dollar-
denominated Basic Price being converted into euro at an exchange rate of $1.1217= €1.00 (based on the European Central 
Bank Rate  on March 31, 2019). 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. The Company 
has suspended the payment of advance payments to Boeing pending confirmation of the return to service date of the Boeing 
MAX fleet, which was grounded by EASA and the FAA in March 2019, and the delivery of Ryanair’s Boeing 737-MAX-
200 firm orders. 

The  amounts  listed  under  “Operating  Lease  Obligations”  reflect  the  Company’s  obligations  under  its  aircraft 

operating lease arrangements at March 31, 2019. 

Contractual Obligations 

Total 

     Less than 1 year      

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

3,447.3     
197.1     
12,336.1     
290.1     
159.9     

  €   16,430.5    € 

Obligations Due by Period 
1-2 years 
(in millions of euro) 
259.2     
178.6     
3,289.6     
60.7     
44.8     
 3,832.9   € 

290.9     
18.5     
4,294.8     
103.5     
47.0     

 4,754.7   € 

2-5 years 

      After 5 years 

2,897.2     
 —     
4,751.7     
116.0     
67.9     

 7,832.8   € 

 — 
 — 
 — 
9.9 
0.2 
10.1 

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

financial statements included in Item 18. 

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

Note 23 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. 

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. 

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  €3,796.7m  (as  at  March  31,  2019)  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 2014 Boeing contract under which there was a total of 210 aircraft (135 firm orders and 75 options) 
outstanding as at March 31, 2019 amounting to approximately $21bn at list prices. 

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, 2019.  

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 25, 2019:  
Name 
David Bonderman (a)(b) 
Roisin Brennan (c) 
Michael Cawley (b) 
Emer Daly (c) 
Stan McCarthy (a)(e) 
Kyran McLaughlin (a) 
Howard Millar (e) 
Dick Milliken (c) 
Mike O’Brien (d) 
Michael O’Leary (a) 
Julie O’Neill (e) 
Louise Phelan (b) 

Age 
 76 
 54 
 65 
 56 
 61 
 75 
 58 
 68 
 75 
 58 
 64 
 52 

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

(a)  Executive Committee.  
(b)  Nomination Committee. 
(c)  Audit Committee.  

(d)   Safety Committee.  
(e)   Remuneration Committee. 

David Bonderman (Chairman) is co-founder and chairman of TPG. TPG is a leading global alternative asset firm which 
manages more than $105bn in assets and has offices around the world.  Mr. Bonderman has served as a director for Ryanair 
since August 1996, and as chairman since December 1996. Mr. Bonderman also serves on the boards of the following 
public companies: Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.; China International Capital Corporation Limited; and TPG Pace Holdings 
Corp.  In addition, he serves on the boards of The Wilderness Society, the Grand Canyon Trust; the American Himalayan 
Foundation; and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc.  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 Hibernia REIT plc, 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 September 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 and RGA International Reinsurance 
Company DAC. 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. 

Stan McCarthy was appointed as a Director of Ryanair in May 2017 and Deputy Chairman in April 2019. 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 

111 

 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.   

Kyran McLaughlin has served as a Director since January 2001, and is Deputy Chairman at Davy Stockbrokers. Mr. 
McLaughlin  advised  Ryanair  during  its  initial  flotation  on  the  Dublin  and  NASDAQ  stock  markets  in  1997.  Mr. 
McLaughlin also serves as a Director of a number of 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 Applegreen plc. Mr. Millar currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Sirius 
Aviation Capital Holdings Ltd. He is an Irish citizen. 

R.A. (Dick) Milliken  has  served as a Director since July  2013 having previously been  Chief  Financial Officer of the 
Almac Group and former Chief Executive Officer 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 commercial aircraft types throughout the years ranging from the Douglas 
DC3 to the Airbus A330 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 and Security Committee. He is an Irish citizen. 

Michael O’Leary has served as a Director of Ryanair since 1988 and as CEO since 1994. Mr. O’Leary was appointed 
Group CEO in April 2019. 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 a former Vice-President for PayPal (Global 
Operations, Europe, Middle East & Africa) and is a member of the Board of Voxpro since January 2016. She is an Irish 
citizen. 

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

Executive  Committee.  The  Board  of  Directors  established  the  Executive  Committee  in  August  1996.  The 
Executive Committee can exercise the powers exercisable by the full Board of Directors in circumstances in which action 
by the Board of Directors is required but it is impracticable to convene a meeting of the full Board of Directors. Messrs. 
Bonderman, 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 Group CEO, who is the only Executive Director. Mr. 
McCarthy, Mr. Millar and Ms. O’Neill are the members of the Remuneration Committee. 

112 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 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. Milliken, 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.  

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 and Security Committee. The Board of Directors established the Safety and Security Committee in March 
1997 to review and discuss air safety and related issues. The Safety and Security Committee reports to the full Board of 
Directors each quarter. The Safety and Security Committee is composed of Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Sorahan, Accountable 
Manager Ryanair DAC (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. 

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. 

113 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  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 Euronext Dublin 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. However, it is Ryanair’s policy to solicit holders of ADSs and will continue to do so, unless 
it  becomes  necessary  to  restrict  non-EU  shareholders  voting  rights  because  of  Brexit.  For  additional 
information, please see “Item 3 – Risks Related to Ownership of the Company’s Ordinary Shares or ADRs”. 
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.  

•  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.   

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 eleven 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 eleven 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.  

114 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Board has also considered the independence of David Bonderman given his shareholding in Ryanair Holdings 
plc. As at March 31, 2019, David Bonderman had a beneficial shareholding in the Company of 7,535,454 ordinary shares, 
equivalent to 0.66% 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.  

The Board has also considered the independence of Louise Phelan given her previous 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. 

115 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the Executive Officers of Ryanair at July 25, 2019: 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 

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

     Age      Position 

 54    Chief Operations Officer 
 44    Chief Technology Officer 
 45    Chief Marketing Officer 
 41    Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer; Company Secretary 
 55    Chief Commercial Officer 
 58    Group Chief Executive Officer 
 44    Chief Risk Officer 
 47    Chief Financial Officer 
 55    Chief People Officer 

Peter Bellew. Peter was appointed COO 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. In July 2019, Peter informed the Company that he plans to step 
down from his current role and leave the Group at the end of December 2019. 

John Hurley. John was appointed CTO 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. Kenny was appointed CMO 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.  

Juliusz Komorek. Juliusz was appointed CLRO; 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. David was appointed CCO 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. 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 and Group CEO in April 2019, having previously served as CFO 
since 1988.  

Carol Sharkey. Carol was appointed CRO 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. Neil was appointed CFO 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.  

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Edward  Wilson.  Eddie  was  appointed  CPO  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 9 Executive Officers 
named above  in  fiscal  year 2019 was  €12.4m. 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  and  Security  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 16 to the consolidated financial statements included herein.  

Remuneration Agreement with Mr. O’Leary 

The Group CEO is the only Executive Director of the Board. In February 2019 Ryanair announced that Mr. O’Leary 
had signed a new five-year contract as Group CEO commencing April 1, 2019 and expiring on July 31, 2024. As part of 
this contract the Group CEO has agreed to a 50% cut in base pay from approximately €1m to €500,000 per annum, a 
50% cut to his maximum annual bonus (to €500,000) and, in line with best practice in the updated Corporate Governance 
Code, he does not receive any pension benefits from Ryanair. This new contract also includes 10m share options at a 
strike price of €11.12 which are exercisable at a price of €11.12 if the net income of Ryanair Holdings plc exceeds €2bn 
in any year up to 2024 and/or the share price of Ryanair Holdings plc exceeds €21 for a period of 28 days between April 
1, 2021 and March 31, 2024. The maximum total cost of the Group CEO’s remuneration is therefore €2.8m per annum 
(including  a  €1.8m  share  based  payments  accounting  charge)  over  the  5  year  term  of  the  Group  CEO’s  contract  of 
employment.  

STAFF AND LABOR RELATIONS 

The following table sets forth the details of Ryanair’s team (including new airlines Ryanair Sun and Laudamotion) 

at each of March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017: 

Classification 
Management 
Administrative/IT Labs 
Maintenance 
Ground Operations 
Pilots 
Cabin Crew 
Total 

Number of Staff at March 31,  
      2017 
2019 

      2018 

177   
992   
426   
704   
 5,446   
 9,095   

 116 
 603 
 152 
 413 
 4,058 
 7,684 
 16,840     14,583     13,026 

 120   
 780   
 156   
 433   
 4,831   
 8,263   

While Ryanair continues 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 industry leading among European low cost B737 operators with 

117 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
competitive pay, advantageous 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.  

European regulations require pilots to be licensed as commercial pilots with specific ratings for each aircraft to 
be  flown.  In  addition,  European  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 competent authority. 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 competent 
authority. Based on its experience in managing the airline’s growth to date, management believes that there is a sufficient 
pool of qualified and licensed pilots, engineers and mechanics within the EU to satisfy Ryanair’s anticipated future needs 
in the areas of flight operations, maintenance and quality control.  The consolidation within the aviation industry, airline 
closures and downsizing has resulted in an increase in pilot applications to join  Ryanair. 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.  

Ryanair’s crew 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). 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  2020 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 2019, the average flight-hours for Ryanair’s pilots amounted 
to approximately 67 hours per month and approximately 807 hours for the complete year, a 1.8% 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.” 

118 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions 

As of June 30, 2019, there were 1,125,383,206 Ordinary Shares outstanding. As of that date, 99,768,952 ADRs, 
representing 498,844,760 Ordinary Shares, were held of record in the United States by 50 holders, and represented in the 
aggregate 44.3% 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, 2019, June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017, 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, 2019 

As of June 30, 2018 

As of June 30, 2017 

Harris Associates 
Baillie Gifford 
Capital 
AKO Capital 
Michael O’Leary 
HSBC Holdings PLC 
Fidelity 

  % of  

  % of   

  % of    
     No. of Shares      Class       No. of Shares       Class       No. of Shares       Class   
-  
 5.1 % 
 14.5 % 
-  
 3.8 % 
 9.3 % 
 5.8 % 

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

-  
 8.2 %   
 5.5 %     55,403,057  
 5.3 %    196,038,142  
-  
 4.9 %   
 3.9 %     44,096,725  
 55,792,770  
 63,587,530  

 92,645,690  
    61,916,922  
 59,883,817  
 54,851,101  
    44,096,725  
-  
-  

-  
-  

-  

-  

As  of  June  30,  2019,  the  Directors  of  Ryanair  Holdings  as  a  group  owned  53,057,387  Ordinary  Shares, 
representing  4.7%  of  Ryanair  Holdings’  outstanding  Ordinary  Shares  as  of  such  date.  See  also  Note  19(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, 2019, there were 1,133,395,322 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, 2019, March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.   

Capital 
Harris Associates 
Baillie Gifford 
AKO Capital 
Michael O’Leary 
Fidelity 
HSBC Holdings PLC 

  As of March 31, 2019   
  % of  

  % of    
      No. of Shares       Class       No. of Shares       Class       No. of Shares       Class   
    100,394,424     8.9 %    193,229,822     16.5 %    175,034,773     14.4 % 

  % of   

As of March 31, 2018 

As of March 31, 2017 

-  
 77,228,695     6.8 %   
 58,805,558     5.2 %     45,244,444   
 51,079,882  
-  
 4.5 %   
 44,096,725     3.9 %     46,096,725   
 67,919,641   
-  
 64,191,568   
-  

-  
-  

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

-  

-  

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

-  
 5.1 % 
-  
 4.1 % 
 5.8 % 
 8.7 % 

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 27 to the consolidated financial statements) in the 
three fiscal years ending March 31, 2019 or in the period from March 31, 2019 to the date hereof. 

119 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 8. Financial Information 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Please refer to “Item 18. Financial Statements.” 

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

Legal Proceedings 

The Company is engaged in litigation arising in the ordinary course of its business. Although no assurance can 
be given as to the outcome of any current or pending litigation, management does not believe that any 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  €9.9m  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 €12.6m of alleged aid. Ryanair appealed the 7 “aid” decisions to 
the  EU  General  Court.  In  late  2018,  the  General  Court  upheld  the  Commission’s  findings  regarding  Ryanair’s 
arrangements with Pau, Nimes, Angouleme and Altenburg airports, and overturned the Commission’s finding regarding 
Ryanair’s arrangement with Zweibrücken airport.  Ryanair has appealed these 4 negative findings to the European Court 
of Justice.  These appeals are expected to take at least 2 years. The appeal proceedings before the General Court regarding 
Ryanair’s arrangements with Cagliari and Klagenfurt airports are expected to take approximately 2 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,  Montpellier  and  Frankfurt  (Hahn).  These 
investigations are ongoing and Ryanair currently expects that they will conclude in 2019, 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, Switzerland 
and the U.S.. 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 

120 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
access to its flight and pricing information to such websites. Ryanair also permits GDSs 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.” 

U.S. Litigation. In November 2018, a putative securities class action complaint was filed against Ryanair and Mr. 
O’Leary in the  United States  District Court for the  Southern District of New York (the “District Court”). The District 
Court appointed a lead plaintiff, the City of Birmingham Retirement and Relief System and City of Birmingham Firemen’s 
and Policemen’s Supplemental Pension System (the “Birmingham Funds”), in January 2019. The Birmingham Funds filed 
an amended complaint in April 2019 that purports to be on behalf of purchasers of Ryanair American Depositary Shares 
(“ADSs”) between May 30, 2017 and September 28, 2018. The amended complaint alleges, among other things, that in 
filings with the SEC, investor calls, interviews, and other communications, Ryanair and/or Mr. O’Leary made materially 
false and misleading statements and omissions regarding employment and financial data, employee negotiation processes, 
the  September  2017  pilot  rostering  management  issue,  and  the  likelihood  and  financial  impact  of  unionization,  which 
allegedly  artificially  inflated  the  market  value  of  Ryanair’s  securities.  In  June  2019,  Ryanair  and  Mr.  O’Leary  filed  a 
motion to dismiss.  

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 €492m) 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 €520m 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 €398m 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  €300m  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 75.6m Ordinary Shares representing 5% of the Company’s then outstanding share capital. 
The €300m share buy-back of approximately 59.5m 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 €200m worth of Ordinary Shares, which was ratified by shareholders at the annual general 
meeting  held  on  September  18,  2008.  18.1m  Ordinary  Shares  were  repurchased  under  this  program  at  a  cost  of 
approximately €46m. The Company also completed share buy-backs of €125m in respect of 36.5m Ordinary Shares in 
fiscal year 2012 and 15m Ordinary Shares at a cost of approximately €68m 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, 69.5m Ordinary Shares (including Ordinary Shares underlying just over 6m ADRs)  were 
repurchased at a cost of approximately €482m. In February 2015, the Company announced a €400m ordinary share buy-
back program which was completed between February and August 2015. In February 2016, the Company announced an 

121 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
€800m  Ordinary  Share  buy-back  program  (including  Ordinary  Shares  underlying  ADRs)  and  this  program  was 
subsequently increased to €886m in June 2016. €418m of this program was completed in fiscal year 2016 to buy-back 
approximately 29.1m shares (including approximately 19.9m shares underlying ADRs) with the remaining €468m spent 
in fiscal year 2017 to buy-back approximately 36m shares (including approximately 3.9m shares underlying ADRs). In 
addition to the above, in fiscal year 2017, the Company bought back 36.4m shares (including approximately 17.7m shares 
underlying ADRs) at a total cost of approximately €550m during the period November 2016 to February 2017. In February 
2017 the Company announced the commencement of a €150m share buy-back program in respect of shares underlying 
ADRs. The Company bought back approximately 2m shares underlying ADRs at a cost of €39m under this program during 
fiscal year 2018. In addition to the above, in fiscal year 2018, the Company bought back 33m shares at a total cost of 
€600m under its €600m share buy-back program which commenced in May 2017 and 11.7m shares at a total cost of €190m 
under it €750m share buy-back which commenced in February 2018. In fiscal year 2019 the Company bought back 37.8m 
shares at a total cost of approximately €561m under its €750m share buy-back which commenced in February 2018.   

As of July 25, 2019 the Company had bought back approximately 12.3m shares at a cost of €137.6m under its €
700m share buy-back program (including Ordinary Shares underlying ADRs) which was announced and commenced in 
May 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. 

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES 

In April 2019, the Group concluded a low cost, €750m unsecured (5 year syndicated) bank facility for general 

corporate purposes. This facility was fully drawn down in May 2019. 

Between April 1, 2019 and July 25, 2019, the Company had bought back 12.3m ordinary shares at a total cost of 
€137.6m under its €700m share buy-back which commenced in May 2019. This was equivalent to 1.1% of the Company’s 
issued share capital at March 31, 2019. All ordinary shares repurchased are cancelled. 

122 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 9. The Offer and Listing 

TRADING MARKETS AND SHARE PRICES 

The primary market for Ryanair Holdings’ Ordinary Shares is Euronext Dublin; Ordinary Shares are also traded 
on the London Stock Exchange. The Ordinary Shares were first listed for trading on the Official List of Euronext Dublin 
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 
Euronext Dublin 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 

 54.05   
 71.27   
 87.64   
 87.41   

 34.62 
 46.99 
 60.10 
 66.82 

 85.66   
 110.58   
 120.16   
 126.69   

 78.66 
 82.59 
 101.59 
 103.25 

 126.39  
 123.45   
 118.30   
 88.46   

 105.25 
 109.89 
 94.88 
 67.95 

 73.15   
 75.26   
 77.67   
 83.23   
 77.95   
 67.50   
67.66   

 65.75 
 70.10 
 71.46 
 72.55 
 65.22 
 62.00 
63.44 

2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2018 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2019 

January 2019 
February 2019 
March 2019 
April 2019 
May 2019 
June 2019 
July 2019 (to July 25, 2019) 

123 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2018 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2019 

January 2019 
February 2019 
March 2019 
April 2019 
May 2019 
June 2019 
July 2019 (to July 25, 2019) 

2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2018 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2019 

January 2019 
February 2019 
March 2019 
April 2019 
May 2019 
June 2019 
July 2019 (to July 25, 2019) 

124 

Ordinary Shares 
(Euronext Dublin) 
(in euro) 

High 
 7.47   
 9.83   
 15.35   
 15.34   

 14.96   
 18.74   
 19.39   
 17.97   

 16.79   
 16.72   
 16.04   
 12.97   

 11.03   
 12.39   
 12.79   
 12.63   
 11.76   
 10.79   
10.99   

Low 
 4.76 
 6.30 
 9.06 
 10.46 

 13.94 
 14.55 
 16.32 
 14.61 

 15.05 
 15.32 
 12.98 
 10.16 

 10.04 
 11.11 
 11.41 
 11.07 
 10.01 
 9.89 
9.98 

Ordinary Shares 
(London Stock Exchange) 
(in euro) 

High 

 7.48   
 9.82   
 15.29   
 15.34   

 14.93   
 18.74   
 19.35   
 17.98   

 16.82   
 16.81   
 16.13   
 13.00   

 11.05   
 12.37   
 12.76   
 12.59   
 12.19   
 10.74   
10.93   

Low 

 4.76 
 6.31 
 9.06 
 10.53 

 13.92 
 14.54 
 16.27 
 14.65 

 15.00 
 15.35 
 12.98 
 10.23 

 10.02 
 11.11 
 11.41 
 11.05 
 10.02 
 9.81 
9.98 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
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 50, 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  AGM  and  EGM  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,  
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 
Period through July 25, 2019 
Total 

      No. of shares (m)      Approx. cost (€m) 
 46.0 
–– 
–– 
 124.6 
 67.5 
 481.7 
 112.0 
 706.1 
 1,017.9 
 829.1 
 560.5 
137.6 
4,083.0 

 18.1   
––   
––   
 36.5   
 15.0   
 69.5   
 10.9   
 53.7   
 72.3   
 46.7   
 37.8  
12.3   
372.8   

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

The maximum price at which the Company may repurchase Ordinary Shares traded on Euronext Dublin 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, 2019, the total number of options over Ordinary Shares outstanding under all of the Company’s 

share option plans was 39.6 million, representing 3.5% 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, 2019, a total of 1,133,395,322 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 and 6 of the current Non-Executive Board members were granted 
10m  share  options,  in  the  aggregate,  at  a  strike  price  of  €6.25  in  July  2014.  These  options  vested  in  May  2019  for 
Managers/Directors who continued to be employed at April 30, 2019 and are exercisable between June 2019  and July 
2022. Also under Option Plan 2013, 3.5m share options were granted, in aggregate, to Executive Officers (excluding the 
CEO) 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 senior managers who continue to be employed by the Company through July 31, 2019. In November 2014, 
5m options were granted to Mr. O’Leary under Option Plan 2013 as part of his 5-year employment 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 
vested in May 2019 and are exercisable between August 2019 and August 2021. During the fiscal year 2017, 34 senior 
managers (excluding the Executive Officers)  were  granted 3m 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. 

During fiscal year 2019 10m options were granted to Mr. O’Leary under Option Plan 2013 as part of his new 5-
year  contract  as  Group  CEO.  These  options,  which  were  granted  at  a  strike  price  of  €11.12,  are  exercisable  between 
September 2024 and February 2026. They will only vest in their entirety if the Groups profit after tax exceeds €2bn or, 
alternatively, the Company’s share price is equal to or exceeds €21 for any 28 day calendar period between April 1, 2021 

126 

 
 
 
 
 
 
and March 31, 2024 and will only be available if Mr. O’Leary continues to be employed by the Company through July 31, 
2024. 

During fiscal year 2019, 102 senior managers and the 11 Non-Executive Board Members were granted 10m share 
options, in the aggregate, at a strike price of €11.12 and are exercisable between September 2024 and February 2026 and 
have the same vesting conditions as Mr. O’Leary’s fiscal year 2019 grant referred to above.   

The aggregate of 34.3m Ordinary Shares that would be issuable upon exercise in full of the options that were 
outstanding as of June 30, 2019 under the Company’s option plan represent approximately 3% of the issued share capital 
of Ryanair Holdings as of such date. Of such total, options in respect of an aggregate of 25.1m Ordinary Shares were held 
by  the  Directors  and  Executive  Officers  of  Ryanair  Holdings.  For  further  information,  see  Notes  16  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 U.K. 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. 

127 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

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. Euronext Dublin 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 
ordered  to  183,  with  a  list  value  of  approximately  $14.4  billion.  At  March  31,  2019,  all  of  the  183  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 $21bn (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. 

128 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.  

129 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 
Holders of restricted shares may be deprived 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.  Holders of restricted shares  may also be 
required 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 may 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. 

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 

130 

 
 
 
 
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 2019. 

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  25,  2019,  EU  nationals  owned  at  least  52.2%  of  Ryanair  Holdings’  Ordinary  Shares  (assuming 

conversion of all outstanding ADRs into Ordinary Shares.  

In order to protect the Company’s operating licence and ensure that the Company (and its subsidiary EU airlines) 
remain majority EU owned and controlled in the event of a no-deal or “hard” Brexit, on March 8, 2019 the Board resolved 
that with effect from the date on which U.K. nationals cease to qualify as nationals of Member States for the purposes of 
Article  4  of  EU  Regulation  1008/2008  all  Ordinary  Shares  and  Depositary  Shares  held  by  or  on  behalf  of  non-EU 
(including U.K.) shareholders will be treated as Restricted Shares. These measures will remain in place until the Board 
determines that the ownership and control of the Company is no longer such that there is any risk to the airline licences 
held by the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to EU Regulation 1008/2008. 

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 

131 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
stockholders or potential investors should satisfy themselves as to the overall tax consequences by consulting their own 
tax advisers.  

Dividends. If Ryanair Holdings pays dividends or makes other relevant distributions, the following is relevant:  

Withholding Tax. Unless exempted, a withholding at the standard rate of income tax (currently 20%) will apply 
to dividends or other relevant distributions paid by an Irish resident company. The withholding tax requirement will not 
apply to distributions paid to certain categories of Irish resident stockholders or to distributions paid to certain categories 
of non-resident stockholders.  

The following Irish resident stockholders, inter-alia, 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 in relation to approved retirement funds (“ARF”s) 

or approved minimum retirement funds (“AMRF”s); 

•  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; 

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•  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 an 
Irish resident or Irish residents; 

•  Companies not resident in Ireland which are directly or indirectly controlled by a person or persons who are, 
by virtue of the law of a tax treaty country or an EU member state, resident for tax purposes in a tax treaty 
country  or  an  EU  member  state  other  than  Ireland  and  which  are  not  controlled  directly  or  indirectly  by 
persons who are not resident for tax purposes in a tax treaty country or EU member state;  

•  Companies not resident in Ireland the principal class of shares of which is substantially and regularly traded 
on a recognized stock exchange in a tax treaty country or an EU member state including Ireland or on an 
approved stock exchange; or 

•  Companies not resident in Ireland that are 75% subsidiaries of a single company, or are wholly-owned by 
two or more companies, in either case the principal classes of shares of  which is or are substantially and 
regularly traded on a recognized stock exchange in a tax treaty country or an EU member state including 
Ireland or on an approved stock exchange. 

In the case of an individual non-resident stockholder resident in an EU member state or tax treaty country, the 
declaration  must be accompanied by a  current certificate of tax residence  from the tax authorities in the stockholder’s 
country of residence. In the case of both an individual and corporate non-resident stockholder resident in an EU member 
state or tax treaty country, the declaration also must contain an undertaking by the individual or corporate non-resident 
stockholder that he, she or it will advise  the  Company accordingly if  he, she or it ceases to  meet the conditions to be 
entitled  to  the  DWT  exemption.  No  declaration  is  required  if  the  stockholder  is  a  5%  parent  company  in  another  EU 
member state in accordance with section 831 TCA 1997. Neither is a declaration required on the payment by a company 
resident in Ireland to another company so resident if the company making the dividend is a 51% subsidiary of that other 
company. 

American Depositary Receipts. Special arrangements with regard to the dividend withholding tax obligation apply 
in the case of Irish companies using ADRs through U.S. depositary banks that have been authorized by the Irish Revenue. 
Such banks, which receive dividends from the company and pass them on to the U.S. 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.  

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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.  

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 
may 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 
may 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, regulated investment 
companies,  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 

134 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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.  

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 generally will be treated as the beneficial owners of 

the Ordinary Shares represented by those ADRs.  

Taxation of Dividends 

The gross amount of any dividends (including any amount withheld in respect of Irish taxes) paid with respect to 
the Ordinary Shares, including Ordinary Shares represented by ADRs, will generally be includible in the taxable 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 generally 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 (“IRS”) 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 
2019 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 2020 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 at the appropriate rate from cash dividends on the Ordinary Shares or ADRs 
may 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, unless the U.S. Holder has the right to receive cash or property, in which 
case the U.S. Holder will be treated as if it received cash equal to the fair market value of the distribution.  

135 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  income  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.  

Foreign Financial Asset Reporting. 

Certain  U.S.  Holders  that  own  “specified  foreign  financial  assets”  with  an  aggregate  value  in  excess  of 
U.S.$50,000 are generally required to file an information statement along with their tax returns, currently on IRS Form 
8938, with respect to such assets. “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts held at a non-U.S. 
financial institution, as well as securities issued by a non-U.S. issuer that are not held in accounts maintained by financial 
institutions.  The  understatement  of  income  attributable  to  “specified  foreign  financial  assets”  in  excess  of  U.S.$5,000 
extends the statute of limitations with respect to the tax return to six years after the return was filed.  U.S. Holders who 
fail to report the required information could be subject to substantial penalties.  Prospective investors are encouraged to 
consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of these rules, including the application of the rules 
to their particular circumstances. 

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 IRS. 

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 and are also available on the Ryanair 
website. 

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.  

136 

  
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2019. 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. 

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FUEL PRICE EXPOSURE AND HEDGING 

Fuel costs constitute a substantial portion of Ryanair’s operating expenses (approximately 36% and 35% of such 
expenses in fiscal years 2019 and 2018, 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 2019 Compared with Fiscal Year 2018—Fuel and Oil.” As of July 25, 2019, Ryanair had entered into forward jet 
fuel (jet kerosene) contracts covering approximately 90% of its estimated requirements for the fiscal year ending March 
31, 2020 at prices equivalent to approximately $709 per metric ton. In addition, the Company had entered into forward jet 
fuel hedging contracts covering approximately  37% of its estimated requirements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 
2021 at prices equivalent to approximately $632 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, 2019 and 2018, 
based on their fair values, amounted to a €185.2m loss and €209.8m gain (gross of tax), respectively. Based on Ryanair’s 
fuel consumption for fiscal year 2019, a change of $1.00 in the average annual price per metric ton of jet fuel would have 
caused a change of approximately €3.3m 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 2018 and 2019, 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 2019, the Company recorded a negative fair-value adjustment of €185.2m (net 
of tax), and in fiscal year 2018 the Company recorded a positive  fair-value adjustment of €132.6m (net of tax)  within 
accumulated other comprehensive income in respect of jet fuel forward contracts. 

138 

 
 
 
 
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  67%  and  23%,  respectively,  of 
Ryanair’s total revenues in fiscal year 2019 (2018: 66% and 24% 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 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019, the total unrealized gain relating to these contracts amounted to €235m, compared to a €183m unrealized total 
unrealized loss at March 31, 2018. 

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 2019, the Company recorded a positive 
fair-value adjustment of €97.5m (net of tax) within accumulated other comprehensive income in respect of these contracts, 
as compared to a negative fair-value adjustment of €729.2m (net of tax) in fiscal year 2018.  

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, 2019, the fair value of the cross-currency interest rate swap agreements relating to this U.S. dollar-
denominated floating rate debt was represented by a gain of €4.0m (gross of tax) compared to a loss of €6.7m (gross of 
tax)  in  fiscal  2018.  In  fiscal  year  2019,  the  Company  recorded  a  positive  fair-value  adjustment  of  €0.9m  (net  of  tax), 
compared  to  a  negative  fair-value  adjustment  of  €12.8m  (net  of  tax)  in  fiscal  year  2018,  within  accumulated  other 
comprehensive income in respect of these contracts.  

Hedging associated with capital expenditures. During fiscal years 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019, the total unrealized 
gain relating to these contracts amounted to €284.7m, compared to €413.7m unrealized loss at March 31, 2018.  

139 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2019, the total unrealized gains relating to these contracts amounted to €284.7m, while at March 
31, 2018 unrealized loss amounted to €413.7m. Under IFRS, the Company recorded a positive fair-value adjustment of 
€610.5m and fair-value adjustments of €573.1m for cash-flow hedges in fiscal years 2019 and 2018, respectively. No fair-
value adjustments were recorded with respect to fair-value hedges in fiscal years 2019 and 2018 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, 2019 would have no impact on the income 
statement (net of tax) (2018: €nil; 2017: €nil). The same movement of 10% in foreign currency exchange rates would have 
a positive €893.7m impact (net of tax) on equity if the rate fell by 10% and negative €731m impact (net of tax) if the rate 
increased by 10%. (2018: €866.1m positive or €708.6m negative; 2017: €336.1m positive or €410.7m negative). 

INTEREST RATE EXPOSURE AND HEDGING 

The Company’s purchase of 159 of the 455 Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the fleet as of March 31, 2019 has been 
funded by financing in the form of loans supported by a loan guarantee from Ex-Im Bank (with respect to 144 aircraft), 
JOLCOs (12 aircraft) and commercial debt (3 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 €3,644m with 
a weighted average interest rate of 1.38% at March 31, 2019. 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, 2019. At March 31, 2019, the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements relating to this debt was represented by a 
gain of €4.0m (gross of tax), as compared with a loss of €6.7m at March 31, 2018. See Note 11 to the consolidated financial 
statements included in Item 18 for additional information.  

If Ryanair had not entered into such derivative agreements, a plus or minus one percentage point movement in 

interest rates would impact the fair value of this liability by approximately €2.9m. 

Interest  rate  risk.  Based  on  the  levels  of  and  composition  of  year-end  interest  bearing  assets  and  liabilities, 
including  derivatives,  at  March  31,  2019,  a  plus  one-percentage-point  movement  in  interest  rates  would  result  in  a 
respective decrease of €5.1m (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 €9.9 million (net of tax) in net interest 
income and expense in the income statement (2018: €15.4m; 2017: €25.8m). 

140 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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,  2018  to  June  30,  2019  the  Depositary  collected  annual  depositary  services  fees  equal  to 

approximately $1.7m from holders of ADSs, net of fees paid to the Depositary by the Company. 

141 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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,  2019,  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, 2019, 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, 2019, 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, 2019. 

142 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during fiscal year 2019 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 Dick Milliken qualifies as an “Audit Committee financial 
expert” within the meaning of this Item 16A. Mr. Milliken 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, 2019, 2018 and 2017:  

Audit fees 
Audit related fees 
Tax fees 
Total fees 

Year Ended March 31,  

      2019 

      2018        2017 

(millions) 

  €  0.5   €   0.4   €   0.4 
  €  0.0   €   0.1   €  0.0 
  €  0.2   €   0.2   €   0.5 
  €  0.7   €   0.7   €   0.9 

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. 

143 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 2019.  

Month / Period 

April 1, 2018 to April 30, 2018 
May 1, 2018 to May 31, 2018 
June 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018 
July 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018 
August 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018 
September 1, 2018 to September 30, 2018 
October 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018 
November 1, 2018 to November 30, 2018 
December 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 
January 1, 2019 to January 31, 2019 
February 1, 2019 to February 28, 2019 
March 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 
Total (Year-end) 
Post Year-end (b) 

  Total Number of 
  Ordinary Shares   
Purchased (a) 
(Millions) 

  Average Price 
Paid Per 
  Ordinary Share 
(€) 

8.4   
4.0   
4.2   
5.7   
7.2   
6.0   
2.3   
 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   
37.8   
12.3   

15.75 
15.76 
16.42 
15.39 
13.61 
13.52 
12.39 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
14.84 
11.22 

(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, 2019 to July 25, 2019 the Company bought back 12.3 million ordinary shares, at a total cost of €137.6 
million,  for  cancellation.  Cumulatively  these  buy-backs  are  equivalent  to  1.1%  of  the  issued  share  capital  of  the 
Company at March 31, 2019.  

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.  

144 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure 

Not applicable. 

Item 17. Financial Statements 

Not applicable. 

Item 18. Financial Statements 

PART III 

RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC 
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Consolidated Balance Sheet of Ryanair Holdings plc and Subsidiaries at March 31, 2019, March 31, 2018 and 
March 31, 2017 

Consolidated Income Statement of Ryanair Holdings plc and Subsidiaries for the Years ended March 31, 2019, 
March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income of Ryanair Holdings plc and Subsidiaries for the Years ended 
March 31, 2019, March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity of Ryanair Holdings plc and Subsidiaries for the 
Years ended March 31, 2019, March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows of Ryanair Holdings plc and Subsidiaries for the Years ended March 31, 
2019, March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 

Notes 

Page 

146 

147 

148 

149 

150 

151 

145 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-current assets 

Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deferred tax 

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  

2019 
€M 

2018 
€M 

2017 
€M 

 2  
 4  
 5  
 12  

 6  
 7  
 8  
 5  
 9  

 10  
 11  
 12  
 5  

 13  
 5  
 12  
 14  
 11  

 15  
 15  

 16  

 9,029.6  
 146.4  
 227.5  
 43.2  
 9,446.7  

 2.9  
 238.0  
 59.5  
 308.7  
 34.9  
 1,484.4  
 1,675.6  
 3,804.0  
 13,250.7  

 573.8  
 2,992.1  
 309.4  
 31.6  
 189.7  
 4,096.6  

 135.6  
 8.0  
 460.6  
 —  
 3,335.0  
 3,939.2  

 8,123.4  
 46.8  
 2.6  
 —  
 8,172.8  

 3.7  
 235.5  
 57.6  
 212.1  
 34.6  
 2,130.5  
 1,515.0  
 4,189.0  
 12,361.8  

 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  

 7,213.8 
 46.8 
 23.0 
 — 
 7,283.6 

 3.1 
 222.1 
 54.3 
 286.3 
 11.8 
 2,904.5 
 1,224.0 
 4,706.1 
 11,989.7 

 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 

 6.8  
 719.4  
 3.2  
 4,181.9  
 303.6  
 5,214.9  
 13,250.7  

 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 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 
July 26, 2019 

Michael O’Leary 
Group Chief Executive 

146 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
  
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
    
    
   
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Income Statement 

Operating revenues 
Scheduled revenues 
Ancillary revenues 

Total operating revenues 
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 
Other income/(expense) 

Finance expense 
Finance income 
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) 
Gain on sale of associate 
Share of associate losses 

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 weighted average ordinary shares (in Ms) 
Number of weighted average diluted shares (in Ms) 

           Year ended       Year ended       Year ended  
  March 31,    March 31,    March 31,  

  Note  

2019 
€M 

2018 
€M 

2017 
€M 

 17  
 17  
 17  

 5,261.1  
 2,436.3  
 7,697.4  

 5,134.0  
 2,017.0  
 7,151.0  

 4,868.2 
 1,779.6 
 6,647.8 

 (2,427.3)  
 (1,061.5)  
 (984.0)  
 (745.2)  
 (640.5)  
 (547.3)  
 (190.9)  
 (83.9)  
 (6,680.6)  
 1,016.8  

 (1,902.8)  
 (938.6)  
 (738.5)  
 (701.8)  
 (561.0)  
 (410.4)  
 (148.3)  
 (82.3)  
 (5,483.7)  
 1,667.3  

 (1,913.4) 
 (864.8) 
 (633.0) 
 (655.7) 
 (497.5) 
 (322.3) 
 (141.0) 
 (86.1) 
 (5,113.8) 
 1,534.0 

 (59.1)  
 3.7  
 (3.5)  
 6.0  
 (15.8)  
 (68.7)  
 948.1  
 (63.1)  
 885.0  
 0.7739  
 0.7665  
 1,143.6  
 1,154.6  

 (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  

 (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 

 18  

 2  

 20  

 3  
 3  

 12  

 22  
 22  
 22  
 22  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 
July 26, 2019 

Michael O’Leary 
Group Chief Executive 

147 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
    
  
    
   
 
    
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
  
    
   
 
 
  
 
    
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

     Year ended       Year ended       Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2018 
€M 

2019 
€M 
 885.0   

2017 
€M 
 1,315.9 

 1,450.2   

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income: 

Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: 

Cash-flow hedge reserve-effective portion of fair value changes to derivatives, net of 
tax: 
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 

325.5   
59.6 
249.2   
634.3   

 (809.5)   
 108.4   
 119.5   
 (581.6)   

 927.1 
 109.7 
 (514.3) 
 522.5 

Total other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year, net of income tax 
Total comprehensive income for the year – all attributable to equity holders of parent  

634.3   
 1,519.3   

 (581.6)   
 868.6   

 522.5 
 1,838.4 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  

On behalf of the Board 

David Bonderman 
Chairman 
July 26, 2019 

Michael O’Leary 
Group Chief Executive 

148 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
   
     
   
 
  
  
  
 
  
   
     
   
  
   
     
   
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 

€M 

 (300.6)   

€M 

      Reserves         Total 
€M 
 3,596.8 
     1,315.9 

 9.2 
 — 

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 
Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 15 (net of tax) 
Adj. balance at March 31, 2018 
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 (net of stamp duty) 
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary shares 
Balance at March 31, 2019 

  M 
      1,290.7 
 — 

€M 
 7.7   
 — 

€M 
 719.4   
 — 

€M 

 3,166.1   
 1,315.9 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 (72.3)     
 (0.5)     

      1,217.9 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 (46.7)     

      1,171.2 
 — 
 1,171.2 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 (37.8)     

      1,133.4 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 (0.4) 
 — 
 7.3 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 (0.3) 
 7.0 
 — 
 7.0 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 (0.2) 
 6.8 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 1,315.9 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 719.4 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 719.4 
 — 
 719.4 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 719.4 

 — 
 (1,017.9) 
 — 
 (7.3) 
 3,456.8 
 1,450.2 

 — 
 — 
 1,450.2 

 — 
 (829.1) 
 — 
 4,077.9 
 (249.4) 
 3,828.5 
 885.0 

 — 
 — 
 885.0 

 — 
 (531.6) 
 — 
 4,181.9 

 2.3 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 0.4 
 — 
 2.7 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 0.3 
 3.0 
 — 
 3.0 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 0.2 
 3.2 

€M 
 (7.3)   
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 7.3 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 

 — 

 522.5 
 522.5 
 522.5 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 221.9 
 — 

 (581.6) 
 (581.6) 
 (581.6) 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 (359.7) 
 — 
 (359.7) 
 — 

 634.3 
 634.3 
 634.3 

 — 
 — 
 — 
 274.6 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 522.5 
 522.5 
     1,838.4 

 5.7 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 14.9 
 — 

 5.7 
    (1,017.9) 
 — 
 — 
     4,423.0 
     1,450.2 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 6.4 
 — 
 — 
 21.3 
 — 
 21.3 
 — 

 (581.6) 
 (581.6) 
 868.6 

 6.4 
 (829.1) 
 — 
     4,468.9 
     (249.4) 
     4,219.5 
 885.0 

 — 
 — 
 — 

 634.3 
 634.3 
     1,519.3 

 7.7 
 — 
 — 
 29.0 

 7.7 
 (531.6) 
 — 
     5,214.9 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 

149 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
       
 
     
 
     
 
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
     
 
  
 
  
   
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
     
 
  
 
  
 
  
     
 
  
 
  
     
 
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
     
 
  
 
 
 
  
     
 
  
 
  
     
 
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
     
 
  
 
  
 
  
     
 
  
 
 
     
 
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Note    Year ended       Year ended       Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2018 
€M 

2017 
€M 

2019 
€M 

Operating activities 

Profit after tax 
Adjustments to reconcile profit after tax to net cash provided by 
operating activities 
Depreciation 
(Increase)/decrease in inventories  
Tax expense on profit 
Share-based payments 
(Increase)/decrease in trade receivables 
(Increase) in other assets 
Increase/(decrease) in trade payables 
Increase in accrued expenses 
(Decrease) in other creditors 
(Decrease) in provisions 
(Increase)/decrease in finance income 
(Decrease)/increase in finance expense 
Gain on sale of associate 
Share of associate losses 
Income tax paid 

Net cash provided by operating activities 
Investing activities 

Capital expenditure (purchase of property, plant and equipment) 
(Increase)/decrease in restricted cash 
Decrease in financial assets: cash > 3 months 
Acquisition of subsidiary (net of cash acquired) 
Investment in associate 

Net cash used in investing activities 
Financing activities 

Shareholder returns (net of tax) 
Proceeds from long term borrowings 
Repayments of long term borrowings 
Net cash used in 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 

 885.0  

 1,450.2  

 1,315.9 

2  
6  
12  
18  
8  

13  

3  
3  
12  

 640.5  
 0.8  
 63.1  
 7.7  
 (1.9)  
 (2.1)  
 324.2  
 198.6  
 (2.8)  
 (2.5)  
 (0.5)  
 (1.5)  
(6.0)  
15.8  
 (100.9)  
 2,017.5  

 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 

2  
9  

3  
3  

 (1,546.7)  
 (0.3)  
 646.1  
 (86.5)  
 (15.0)  
 (1,002.4)  

 (1,470.6)  
 (22.8)  
 774.0  
 —  
 —  
 (719.4)  

 (1,449.8) 
 1.2 
 157.8 
 — 
 — 
 (1,290.8) 

 (531.6)  
 99.9  
 (422.8)  
 (854.5)  
 160.6  
 1,515.0  
 1,675.6  

 (829.1)  
 65.2  
 (458.9)  
 (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 

11  
11  
24  

11  

Included in the cash flows from operating activities for the year are the 
following amounts: 

Interest income received 
Interest expense paid 

 3.2  
 (60.6)  

 2.9  
 (56.1)  

 6.6 
 (69.5) 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 

150 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
   
 
 
  
    
    
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
   
  
  
  
    
    
   
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 

2019 are set out below. These have been applied consistently for all periods presented, except as otherwise stated. 

(i)  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. In 2017 Ryanair Holdings incorporated Ryanair Sun and 
in  2018  it  acquired  Laudamotion.  The  principal  trading  activities  of  the  Group  are  undertaken  by  Ryanair  DAC, 
Ryanair Sun and Laudamotion.  

(ii) 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, 2019.  
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.  

(iii) 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. 

(iv) New IFRS 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 April 1, 2018 and therefore 
have been applied by the Group for the first time in these consolidated financial statements:  

IFRS 15: “Revenue from Contracts with Customers including Amendments to IFRS 15” (effective for fiscal 

periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018): 

The Group has adopted IFRS 15 with effect from April 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. 

The impact of initially applying the standard is mainly attributed to certain ancillary revenue streams where 
the recognition of revenue is deferred under IFRS 15 to the flight date where it was previously recognised on the date 
of booking.  For the majority of our revenue, the manner in which we previously recognised revenue is consistent with 
the  requirements  of  IFRS  15.   The  change  in  the  timing  of  ancillary  revenue  recognition  means  that  an  increased 

151 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
amount of revenue will be recognised in the first half of the year under IFRS 15, with less revenue recognised in the 
second half of the year, particularly in Quarter 4.   

The Group has adopted IFRS 15 using the cumulative effect method (without practical expedients), with the 
effect of initially applying this standard recognised at the date of initial application (i.e. April 1, 2018). Accordingly, 
the comparatives have not been restated – i.e. they are presented, as previously reported, under IAS 18 and related 
interpretations.  The impact on transition to IFRS 15 was a reduction in retained earnings (net of tax) of €249m at 
April 1, 2018.  

The impact of adopting IFRS 15 on the Group’s balance sheet as at March 31, 2019 was an increase in the 
amount of unearned revenue of €287m, compared with the amount that would have been recognised under IAS 18 and 
related interpretations. The impact on the income statement and the statement of comprehensive income is to decrease 
ancillary revenue in the year ended March 31, 2019 by €38m. 

IFRS 9: “Financial Instruments” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018) 

The  Group  has  adopted  IFRS  9  with  effect  from  April  1,  2018  and  has  not  restated  comparative 
information.  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,  are  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. Accordingly, no transition adjustment to carrying values arose in the 
year ended March 31, 2019. Neither was there a material increase in provisions as a result of applying the new expected 
loss impairment model to our financial assets as a result of adoption of IFRS 9 in the year ended March 31, 2019.  All 
of Ryanair’s financial assets continue to be held at amortised cost.  The Group has elected not to adopt the new general 
hedge accounting model in IFRS 9. 

The following other changes to IFRS became effective for the Group during the financial year: 

•  Amendments to IFRS 2: ”Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions” (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) 

• 

IFRIC Interpretation 22: “Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration” (effective for fiscal 
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018) 

•  Amendments to IAS 40: “Transfers of Investment Property” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after 

January 1, 2018) 

The adoption of these new or amended standards did not have a material impact on  the Group’s financial 

position or results from operations in the year ended March 31, 2019. 

(v) Prospective IFRS accounting changes, new standards and interpretations not yet effective 

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 impact for IFRS 16 is 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 16: “Leases” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019) (see below) 
IFRIC  23:  “Uncertainty  over  Income  Tax  Treatments”  (effective  for  fiscal  periods  beginning  on  or  after 
January 1, 2019) 

152 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Amendments to IFRS 9: “Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation” (effective for fiscal periods 

beginning on or after January 1, 2019) (see below) 

•  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)*  

•  Amendments to IFRS 3: “Business Combinations” (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 

1, 2020)* 

•  Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8: “Definition of Material” (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 16: Leases (effective for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019): 

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.  

The Group has applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach, under which the cumulative effect 

of initial application is recognized in retained earnings at April 1, 2019. 

The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for some leases of low-value 
assets and has applied the exemption not to recognise right-of-use assets and liabilities for leases with less than 12 
months of lease term. 

The standard is effective for fiscal 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. 

The impact of the IFRS 16 transition will increase non-current assets on April 1, 2019 by €130m, increase 

liabilities by €140m and reduce equity (and distributable reserves) by €10m. 

(vi) 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. 

153 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-lived assets 

As of March 31, 2019, Ryanair had €9.0bn 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  the  Boeing  Company  (“Boeing”),  the  manufacturer  of  all  of  the 
Company’s owned 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.  

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. 

(vii) Basis of consolidation 

The  consolidated  financial  statements  comprise  the  financial  statements  of  Ryanair  Holdings  plc  and  its 
subsidiary undertakings as of March 31, 2019. 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. 

(viii) Summary of significant accounting policies 

Accounting for business combinations  

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method from the date that control is transferred 
to the Group. Under the acquisition method, consideration transferred is measured at fair value on the acquisition date, 
as  are  the  identifiable  assets  acquired  and  liabilities  assumed.  When  the  initial  values  of  assets  and  liabilities  in  a 
business combination have been determined provisionally, any subsequent adjustments to the values allocated to the 
identifiable assets and liabilities (including contingent liabilities) are made  within twelve months of the acquisition 
date and presented as adjustments to the original acquisition accounting. Acquisition related costs are expensed in the 
period incurred. 

Accounting for subsidiaries  

Subsidiaries are all entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to (has 
rights to) variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its 
power over the entity. The results of subsidiary undertakings acquired during the year are included in the consolidated 

154 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
income  statement  from  the  date  at  which  control  of  the  entity  was  obtained.  They  continue  to  be  included  in  the 
consolidated income statement until control ceases. 

Accounting for investments in associates  

An associate is an entity over which the Company has significant influence. Significant influence is the power 
to  participate  in  the  financial  and  operating  decisions  of  the  entity,  but  is  not  control  over  these  policies.  The 
Company’s investment in associates was accounted for using the equity method. The consolidated income statement 
reflects the Company’s share of profit/losses after tax of the associate. Investments in associates are carried on the 
consolidated balance sheet at cost adjusted for post-acquisition changes in the Company’s share of net assets, less any 
impairment in value. If necessary, any impairment losses on the carrying amount of the investment in the associate 
are reported within the Company’s share of equity accounted investments results in the consolidated income statement. 
If the Company’s share of losses exceeds the carrying amount of the associate, the carrying amount is reduced to nil 
and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Company has incurred obligations in 
respect of the associate.  

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. 

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 (CODM), 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. The new group structure announced in February 2019 comes into effect after March 31, 2019, accordingly 
the Group remained managed as a single business unit and is reported as a single reportable segment. 

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, gain on sale of associates, share of 
associate losses and gains or losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment. The presentation of gains or losses 
on the disposal of property, plant and equipment within other income/(expense) accords with industry practice. 

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 as 

155 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 

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, 2019 
429 (a) 

Useful Life 

Residual Value 

  23 years from date of    15% of current market value of new 

manufacture 

   aircraft, determined periodically 

(a)  The Group operated 471 aircraft as of March 31, 2019, of which 26 were leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft and 16 were leased 

Airbus A320 aircraft. 

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 

156 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
airframe overhaul, engine maintenance checks, and restitution of major life-limited parts, calculated by reference to 
the number of hours flown or cycles operated during the year. 

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

All other maintenance costs, other than major airframe overhaul, engine maintenance checks, and 

restitution of major life-limited parts costs associated with leased aircraft, are expensed as incurred. 

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  comprise  cash  deposits  of  greater  than  three  months’  maturity.  All  amounts  are 
categorised as amortised cost (prior years: “loans and receivables”) and are recognised 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. 

157 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 

amortised cost (prior years “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 amortised cost (prior years “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. 

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. 

158 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

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. 

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 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. 

159 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

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 declared by the 

Company’s shareholders. 

160 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2019 
Cost 

At March 31, 2018 
Additions in year 
Disposals in year 
At March 31, 2019 

Depreciation 

At March 31, 2018 
Charge for year 
Eliminated on disposal 
At March 31, 2019 

Net book value 

At March 31, 2019 

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 

 8,912.5  

 52.0  

 49.7  

 14.8  

 0.6  

 9,029.6 

  Aircraft 

€M 

     Hangar and      Plant and      Fixtures and       Motor       
  Buildings 

  Equipment   
€M 

Fittings 
€M 

  Vehicles   
€M 

Total 
€M 

€M 

 82.7  
 2.4  
 (7.0)  
 78.1  

 29.5  
 3.6  
 (7.0)  
 26.1  

€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  

 11,303.5 
 1,485.2  
 (159.5)  
 12,629.2  

 3,251.3  
 624.9  
 (159.5)  
 3,716.7  

 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  

 40.7  
 47.2  
 —  
 87.9  

 32.9  
 5.3  
 —  
 38.2  

 62.7  
 11.7  
 (0.1)  
 74.3  

 53.3  
 6.3  
 (0.1)  
 59.5  

 4.3  
 0.2  
 —  
 4.5  

 11,493.9 
 1,546.7 
 (166.6) 
 12,874.0 

 3.5  
 0.4  
 —  
 3.9  

 3,370.5 
 640.5 
 (166.6) 
 3,844.4 

 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 

At March 31, 2019, aircraft with a net book value of €2,394.9m (2018: €2,934.9m; 2017: €3,442.4m) 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. 

161 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
At March 31, 2019, the cost and net book value of aircraft included advance payments on aircraft of €711.4m 
(2018:  €558.4m;  2017:  €687.0m).  Such  amounts  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, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was €197.8m, 

€267.2m and €362.8m, respectively.  

During the fiscal year 2019, €nil (2018: €3.1m; 2017: €1.4m) of borrowing costs were capitalized as part of 
property, plant and equipment.  (Borrowing costs had been capitalized in prior years as follows: 2018: 1.125%; 2017: 
1.125%). 

3.           Business combinations 

Acquisition of a Subsidiary 

In April 2018, the Company purchased a 24.9% stake in Laudamotion for consideration of €15 million. This 
investment was accounted for using the equity method.  In August 2018, the Company acquired a further 50.1% of 
the shares and voting interests in Laudamotion. As a result, the Group’s equity interest increased from 24.9% to 75%, 
with a put option over the remaining 25%. From this date, the Group had a controlling interest and Laudamotion has 
been accounted  for as a consolidated subsidiary. In December 2018, the  Company subsequently exercised the put 
option and increased its holding in Laudamotion to 100%.  

As  part  of  purchase  accounting,  Ryanair  recognized  a  gain  on  sale  of  associate  of  €6  million  within  the 
consolidated  income  statement.    The  put  option  over  the  remaining  25%  ownership  interest  in  Laudamotion  was 
accounted for under the anticipated acquisition method i.e. the 25% residual interest was deemed to have been acquired 
at  the  date  of  acquisition  and  the  financial  liability  arising  from  the  put  option  was  included  in  the  consideration 
transferred at its fair value of €6 million (see table below). 

Laudamotion provides the Group access to valuable landing slots at slot constrained airports in Germany, 

Austria and Spain. 

Consideration transferred and assets and liabilities assumed 

The  following  table  summarises  the  fair  value  of  assets  acquired  and  liabilities  assumed  at  the  date  of 

acquisition of control and the consideration transferred to acquire control of Laudamotion: 

Consideration: 

Consideration (liabilities and cash paid) 
Fair value of existing equity interest 
Settlement of pre-existing loans 

Net assets acquired: 
Intangible assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Other assets acquired 
Liabilities assumed 

Year ended  
March 31,  
2019 
€M 

 32.0 
 6.0 
 60.5 
 98.5 

 99.6 
 7.0 
 43.4 
 (51.5) 
 98.5 

The  excess  of  the  purchase  consideration  over  the  acquired  assets  and  assumed  liabilities,  was  entirely 
attributable  to  the  value  of  identifiable  intangible  assets  acquired,  being  the  aforementioned  landing  slots.  
Accordingly, no goodwill was recognised in respect of the Laudamotion acquisition.  Further, no contingent liabilities 
were recognised in respect of the Laudamotion acquisition.  

162 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
In the year ended March 31, 2019, Laudamotion contributed revenue of €134.5m and an operating loss of 
€172.9m to the Group’s results. Ryanair also recognised €15.8m in share of losses in associate prior to consolidation 
of Laudamotion in August 2018, and recognised a deferred tax credit of €43.2m relating to the recognition of a deferred 
tax asset in respect of  Laudamotion’s post-acquisition losses.  The Company projects the  availability of sufficient 
future profits, to utilise these losses. 

If the acquisition date for the Lauda business combination had been at the beginning of the year, Lauda would 

have contributed the following revenue and loss for the year to the Group’s results: 

Revenue 
Loss for the year 

4.           Intangible assets 

Landing rights 

Balance at 1 April 
Acquisition through business combinations 

Balance at 31 March 

Year ended  
March 31,  
2019 
€M 

172.0 
(171.7) 

At March 31,  

      2019 
€M 

      2018        2017 
€M 

€M    

 46.8 
 99.6 

  46.8 
 — 

  46.8 
 — 

 146.4   

 46.8   

 46.8 

Landing slots were acquired with the acquisition of Buzz Stansted Limited in April 2003 and Laudamotion 

in fiscal year 2019.  

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 2019, 6% for 2018 and 4% for 2017. 

5.           Derivative financial instruments 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has responsibility for monitoring the treasury policies and 
objectives of the Company, which include controls over the procedures used to manage the main financial risks arising 
from the Company’s operations. Such risks comprise commodity price, foreign exchange and interest rate risks. The 
Company  uses  financial  instruments  to  manage  exposures  arising  from  these  risks.  These  instruments  include 
borrowings, cash deposits and derivatives (principally jet fuel derivatives, interest rate swaps, cross-currency interest 
rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts). It is the Company’s policy that no speculative trading in financial 
instruments takes place. 

The  Company’s  historical  fuel  risk  management  policy  has  been  to  hedge  between  70%  and  90%  of  the 
forecast rolling annual volumes required to ensure that the future cost per gallon of fuel is locked in. This policy was 
adopted to prevent the Company being  exposed, in the short term, to adverse movements in global jet fuel prices. 
However, when deemed to be in the best interests of the Company, it may deviate from this policy. In June 2019 the 
Board  of  Directors  amended  the  Company’s  Treasury  policy  to  hedge  approximately  50%  of  fuel  commodity 
exposures on a 12 to 18 month rolling basis, starting with fiscal year 2021. At July 25, 2019, the Company had hedged 

163 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
approximately 90% (2018: 90%, 2017: 90%) of its estimated fuel exposure for the next fiscal year and approximately 
37% of its estimated fuel exposure for the fiscal year 2021. 

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 11 to the consolidated financial statements.  

The Company utilises a range of derivatives designed to mitigate these risks. All of the above derivatives 
have been accounted for at fair value in the Company’s balance sheet and have been utilised to hedge against these 
particular  risks  arising  in  the  normal  course  of  the  Company’s  business.  All  have  been  designated  as  hedging 
derivatives for the purposes of IAS 39 / IFRS 9 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 year-end. 

      2019 
€M 

At March 31,  
      2018 
€M 

      2017 
€M 

 227.5   
 227.5   

 2.6   
 2.6   

 23.0 
 23.0 

 308.7   
 308.7   
 536.2   

 212.1   
 212.1   
 214.7   

 286.3 
 286.3 
 309.3 

    (189.7)     (190.5)   
    (189.7)     (190.5)   

 (1.7) 
 (1.7) 

 (8.0)     (415.5)   
 (8.0)     (415.5)   
    (197.7)     (606.0)   
 338.5     (391.3)   

 (2.6) 
 (2.6) 
 (4.3) 
 305.0 

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The table above includes the following derivative arrangements: 

Cross currency swaps (b) 
Less than one year 
Between one and five years 

Foreign currency forward contracts (c) 
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 
  2017 (a)  
  2018 (a)  
  2019 (a)  
€M 
€M 
€M 

 1.7  
 2.3  
 4.0  

 (0.7)  
 (6.0)  
 (6.7)  

 307.0  
 212.7  
 —  
 519.7  

 (189.7)  
 4.5  
 (185.2)  
 338.5  

 (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 

(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)  Cross currency swap financial assets all relate to cross currency interest rate swaps at March 31, 2019 (see Note 
11 to the consolidated financial statements).  In prior years, both cross currency interest rate swaps and interest 
rate swaps were used to hedge the company’s exposure to interest rate fluctuations.  

(c)  Additional information in relation to the above cross currency swaps and forward currency contracts (i.e. notional 
value and weighted average interest rates) can be found in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements. 

(d)  €185.2m commodity forward contracts relate to jet fuel derivative financial liabilities of €189.7m and financial 

assets of €4.5m (see Note 11 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 €536.2m, €72.2m 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. 

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 

165 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  arising  on  the  hedging  of  aircraft  capital  expenditure  are  recognised  as  part  of  the 
capitalised cost of aircraft additions, within property, plant and equipment. The (gains)/losses arising on the hedging 
of  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.  

The following table indicates the amounts that were reclassified from other comprehensive income into the 

income statement, analysed by income statement category, in respect of cash-flow hedges realised during the year:  

Year ended March 31,  

      2019 
€M 

      2018 
€M 

      2017 
€M 

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 

   256.4     117.8     (504.6) 

 0.5   

 2.3   

 1.1 

 (7.7)   

 (10.8) 
    249.2     119.6     (514.3) 

 (0.5)   

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,  

      2019        2018 
€M 

€M 

      2017 
€M 

 59.6   
 59.6   

 108.4   
 108.4   

 109.7 
 109.7 

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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, or property, plant and equipment as of 
March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017: 

Net 

 Expected   

  Carrying   Cash 
  Amount    Flows 

€M 

€M 

  2020 
€M 

  2021 
€M 

  2022 
  €M   

  2023 
€M 

  Thereafter 
€M 

At March 31, 2019 
Cross-currency 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 

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 

 4.0   

 1.7 
 235.0     235.0     208.8 

 4.0   

 1.2 
   26.2 

   0.8 
   — 

 0.4 
 — 

 284.7     284.7   
 (185.2)    (185.2)   (189.7)   
 338.5     338.5     119.0 

 98.2 

   79.6 
 4.5 
  111.5 

59.3 
   — 
 60.1 

   36.2 
 — 
   36.6 

(0.1) 
 — 

 11.4 
 — 
 11.3 

Net 

  Expected   

  Carrying    Cash 
  Flows 
  Amount 

€M 

€M 

  2019 
€M 

  2020 
€M 

  2021 
  €M 

  2022 
€M 

  Thereafter 
€M 

 (6.7)   

 (0.2)   
 (181.4)     (181.4)    (153.4)    (28.4)   

 (0.7)  

 (6.7)  

 (0.6) 
 0.4 

 (1.0)   
 — 

 (4.2) 
 — 

 (413.0)     (413.0)  
 209.8 
 (391.3)     (391.3)  

 (34.0)    (75.5)    (82.9) 
 — 
 — 
 21.7    (104.1)    (83.1) 

  (99.7)   
 — 
 (100.7)   

 (120.9) 
 — 
 (125.1) 

 209.8     209.8   

     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 

 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 

Derivative transactions entered into by the Company with any particular counterparty are not settled net and 

there are no provisions within these agreements to off-set similar transactions. 

      2019 
€M 
 2.9   

At March 31,  
      2018 
€M 
 3.7   

      2017 
€M 
 3.1 

6.           Inventories 

Consumables 

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7.           Other assets  

Prepayments 
Interest receivable 

All amounts fall due within one year. 

8.           Trade receivables 

Trade receivables 
Allowance for impairment 

All amounts fall due within one year. 

      2019 
€M 

At March 31,  
      2018 
€M 

      2017 
€M 

    237.2     235.2     221.1 
 1.0 
    238.0     235.5     222.1 

 0.8   

 0.3   

      2019 
€M 
 59.6   
 (0.1)   
 59.5   

At March 31,  
      2018 
€M 
 57.7   
 (0.1)   
 57.6   

      2017 
€M 
 54.4 
 (0.1) 
 54.3 

There has been no change to the allowance for impairment during the year (2018: nil; 2017: nil).  There were 

no bad debt write-offs in the year (2018: nil; 2017: nil). 

No individual customer accounted for more than 10% of our accounts receivable at March 31, 2019, at March 

31, 2018 or at March 31, 2017. 

At March 31, 2019, €0.8m (2018: €0.8m; 2017: €0.8m) of our total accounts receivable balance were past 
due, of which €0.2m (2018: €0.2m; 2017: €0.2m) was impaired and provided for (50% loss allowance) and €0.6m 
(2018:  €0.6m;  2017:  €0.6m)  was  considered  past  due  but  not  impaired  for  which  the  expected  credit  loss  was 
considered immaterial. 

168 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
9.           Restricted cash 

Restricted cash consists of €34.9m (2018: €34.6m; 2017: €11.8m) placed in escrow accounts for certain legal 

cases and appeals (which accounts for the majority of the balance). 

10.         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) 

11.         Financial instruments and financial risk management 

At March 31,  
      2018 
€M 
 445.5   
 648.4   

      2019 
€M 
 320.8   
 709.0   

      2017 
€M 
 348.0 
 576.4 
    1,962.3     1,408.3     1,332.8 
    2,992.1     2,502.2     2,257.2 

At March 31,  
      2018 
€M 
 15.7   

      2019 
€M 
 20.1   

      2017 
€M 
 9.5 
    688.9     632.7     566.9 
    709.0     648.4     576.4 

The  Company  utilises  financial  instruments  to  reduce  exposures  to  market  risks  throughout  its  business. 
Borrowings,  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  liquid  investments  are  used  to  finance  the  Company’s  operations. 
Derivative  financial  instruments  are  contractual  agreements  with  a  value  that  reflects  price  movements  in  an 
underlying  asset.  The  Company  uses  derivative  financial  instruments,  principally  jet  fuel  derivatives,  interest  rate 
swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts to manage commodity risks, interest 
rate risks and currency exposures and to achieve the desired profile of fixed and variable rate borrowings and leases 
in appropriate currencies. It is the Company’s policy that no speculative trading in financial instruments shall take 
place. 

The main risks attaching to the Company’s financial instruments, the Company’s strategy and approach to 
managing these risks, and the details of the derivatives employed to hedge against these risks have been disclosed in 
Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements. 

169 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
(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, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows: 

At March 31, 2019 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Financial asset: cash > 3 months 
Restricted cash 
Derivative financial instruments: 
- U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
- Cross-currency swaps 
- Jet fuel derivative contracts 
Trade receivables 
Other assets 
Total financial assets at March 31, 2019 

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 

  Amortised   

Cost 
€M 

Cash- 
Flow 
 Hedges    
€M 

Total 

  Carrying   Total Fair 

Value 
€M 

Value 
€M 

 1,675.6   
 1,484.4   
 34.9   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 59.5   
 0.8   
 3,255.2   

 —     1,675.6   
 —     1,484.4   
 34.9   
 —   

 527.7   
 4.0   
 4.5   
 —   
 —   

 527.7   
 4.0   
 4.5   
 59.5   
 0.8   
 536.2     3,791.4   

 — 
 — 
 — 

 527.7 
 4.0 
 4.5 
 — 
 — 
 536.2 

  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   
 —   
 —   

 214.7 

 4.6   
 0.3   
 209.8   
 57.6   
 0.3   
  3,952.7   

 4.6 
 0.3 
 209.8 
 — 
 — 
 214.7 

Cash- 
Flow 

  Loans and  
   Receivables    Hedges    

€M 

€M 

Total 

  Carrying   Total Fair 

Value 
€M 

Value 
€M 

 1,224.0   
 2,904.5   
 11.8   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 54.3   
 1.0   
 4,195.6   

 —     1,224.0   
 —     2,904.5   
 11.8   
 —   

 — 
 — 
 — 

 239.4   
 11.7   
 58.2   
 —   
 —   

 239.4   
 11.7   
 58.2   
 54.3   
 1.0   
 309.3     4,504.9   

 239.4 
 11.7 
 58.2 
 — 
 — 
 309.3 

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. 

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The  carrying  values  and  fair  values  of  the  Company’s  financial  liabilities  by  class  and  category  were  as 

follows: 

At March 31, 2019 
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 
Total financial liabilities at March 31, 2019 

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 
Total financial liabilities at March 31, 2018 

At March 31, 2017 
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 
Total financial liabilities at March 31, 2017 

  Liabilities at  
  Amortised    Cash-Flow   Carrying   Total Fair 

Total 

Cost 
€M 

  Hedges 

€M 

Value 
€M 

Value 
€M 

 3,644.4   

 —     3,644.4     3,725.3 

 —   
 —   
 —   
 573.8   
 320.8   
 4,539.0   

 8.0   
 189.7   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 8.0 
 8.0   
 189.7 
 189.7   
 — 
 —   
 — 
 573.8   
 — 
 320.8   
 197.7     4,736.7     3,923.0 

 3,963.0   

 —     3,963.0     4,061.0 

 —   
 —   
 —   
 249.6   
 445.5   
 4,658.1   

 599.0   
 —   
 7.0   
—   
—   

 599.0 
 599.0   
 — 
 —   
 7.0 
 7.0   
  — 
 249.6   
— 
 445.5   
 606.0     5,264.1     4,667.0 

 4,384.5   

—     4,384.5     4,474.4 

—   
—   
—   
 294.1   
 348.0   
 5,026.6   

 0.5   
 —   
 3.8   
—   
—   

 0.5 
 0.5   
 — 
 —   
 3.8 
 3.8   
— 
 294.1   
— 
 348.0   
 4.3     5,030.9     4,478.7 

The Company  has  not disclosed the  fair value  for  financial liabilities such as trade payables and accrued 
expenses because their carrying amounts are a  reasonable approximation of their fair values due to the short term 
nature of the instruments. 

Estimation of fair values 

Fair value is the price  that  would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly 
transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The following methods and assumptions were used 
to estimate the fair value of each material class of the Company’s financial instruments: 

Financial instruments measured at fair value 

Derivatives  –  interest  rate  swaps:  Discounted  cash-flow  analyses  have  been  used  to  determine  the  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 jet fuel contracts: A comparison of the contracted rate to 
the market rate for contracts providing a similar risk profile at March 31, 2019 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) 

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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. 

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. 

At March 31, 2019 
Assets measured at fair value 
Cash-flow hedges – U.S. dollar currency forward contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – jet fuel derivative contracts 
Cash-flow hedges – cross-currency swaps 

Liabilities measured at fair value 
Cash-flow hedges – U.S. 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 

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 527.7   
 4.5   
 4.0   
 536.2   

 8.0   
 189.7   
 —   
 197.7   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 527.7 
 4.5 
 4.0 
 536.2 

 8.0 
 189.7 
 — 
 197.7 

 —     3,725.3   
 —     4,459.2   

 —     3,725.3 
 —     4,459.2 

During  the  year  ended  March  31,  2019,  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, 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  

Total 

€M 

      €M 

€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    —     4,061.0 
 4,881.7 
 —     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. 

172 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
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   

Total 

€M 

€M 

€M 

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 239.3   
 58.2   
 11.8   
 309.3   

 0.5   
 —   
 3.8   
 4.3   

—   
—   
—   
 —   

—   
—   
—   
 —   

 239.3 
 58.2 
 11.8 
 309.3 

 0.5 
 — 
 3.8 
 4.3 

 —   
 —   

 4,474.4   
 4,788.0   

—   
 —   

 4,474.4 
 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. 

(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: 

At March 31,  

2019 
      €M 

2018   

2017 
      €M 

      €M 

Jet fuel forward contracts – fair value 

 (185.2)   
 (185.2)   

 209.8   
 209.8   

 58.2 
 58.2 

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, 2019, the Company had total borrowings of €3,644.4m (2018: €3,963.0m; 2017: €4,384.5m) 
from various financial institutions and the debt capital markets. Financing for the acquisition of 144 Boeing 737-800 
“next generation” aircraft (2018: 153; 2017: 174)  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 €850m and one for €750m, 42 aircraft held 
under finance leases (2018: 16; 2017: 22) and 3 aircraft financed by way of other commercial debt (2018: 6; 2017: 6). 

173 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
The maturity profile of the Company’s financial liabilities (aircraft provisions, trade payables and accrued 

expenses) at March 31, 2019 was as follows: 

Fixed rate 
Secured long term debt 
Unsecured long term debt 
Long term debt 
Finance leases 
Total fixed rate debt 
Floating rate 
Secured long term debt 
Finance leases 
Total floating rate debt 
Total financial liabilities 

  Weighted  
average   
rate 
(%) 

2020 
€M 

2021 
      €M 

2022 
€M 

2023    Thereafter  

      €M 

€M 

Total 
€M 

 63.3  
 2.52 %     75.8   
 34.0   
 1.30 %     34.0   
 97.3   
 1.44 %    109.8   
 2.54 %     (2.8)     116.0   
 107.0     213.3   

 64.9   
 62.5   
 876.9     877.5   
 941.8     940.0   
 —   
 941.8     940.0   

 —   

 63.8   
 330.3 
 819.7     2,642.1 
 883.5     2,972.4 
 113.2 
883.5     3,085.6 

 —   

 0.75 %    181.1     161.9   
 1.27 %     21.4   
 62.6   
 0.83 %    202.5     224.5   

 26.0   
 —   
 26.0   
 309.5     437.8     1,047.6     966.0   

 105.8   
 —   
 105.8   

 —   
 —   
 —   

 474.8 
 84.0 
 558.8 
883.5     3,644.4 

All of the above debt maturing after 2023 will mature between fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2026. 

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 
      €M 

2021 
      €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   
 85.8   
 98.3   
 (2.8)     115.5   
 95.5     201.3   

 48.1   
 350.4 
 110.7   
 867.0     1,627.7     2,566.7 
 15.3   
 74.4 
 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. 

174 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
     
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
 
 
The maturity profile of the Company’s financial liabilities (aircraft provisions, trade payables and accrued 

expenses) at March 31, 2017 was as follows: 

  Weighted  
average   
rate 
(%) 

2018 
€M 

2019 
      €M 

2020 
      €M 

2021    Thereafter  

      €M 

€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 

 71.7   
 13.2   
 61.7   

 33.4   
 353.8 
 105.9   
 46.6   
 1.91 %     96.2   
 13.2     2,462.1     2,515.2 
 13.2   
 1.37 %     13.5   
 393.4 
 143.4   
 64.9   
 63.3   
 2.59 %     60.1   
 1.57 %    169.8     146.6     123.1    111.5     2,711.4     3,262.4 
 239.3 
 2.74 %     59.5   
 (2.9)    116.0   
 229.3     213.3     120.2    227.5     2,711.4     3,501.7 

 66.7   

 —   

 216.0     214.9     212.3    193.8   
 (63.3)     (64.9)   
 (60.1)   
 (61.7)   
 0.49 %    155.9     153.2     149.0    128.9   
 1.01 %     70.7   
 62.6   
 62.6   
 0.84 %    226.6     215.8     170.3    191.5   

 222.0     1,059.0 
 (393.4) 
 (143.4)   
 665.6 
 78.6   
 217.2 
 —   
 882.8 
 78.6   
 455.9     429.1     290.5    419.0     2,790.0     4,384.5 

 21.3   

All of the above debt maturing after 2021 will mature between fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2025. 

The following provides an analysis of changes in borrowings during the year: 

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 

2019 
€M 
    3,963.0  
 99.9  
 (422.8)  
 4.3  
    3,644.4  
 309.4  
    3,335.0  
    3,644.4  

At March 31,  
2018 
€M 
 4,384.5  
 65.2  
 (458.9)  
 (27.8)  
 3,963.0  
 434.6  
 3,528.4  
 3,963.0  

2017 
€M 
 4,023.0 
 793.4 
 (447.1) 
 15.2 
 4,384.5 
 455.9 
 3,928.6 
 4,384.5 

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, 2019 
Long term debt and finance leases: 
- Fixed rate debt       1.48% 
- Floating rate debt   0.83% 

Derivative financial instruments 
- Currency forward contracts 
- Commodity forward contracts 
Trade payables 
Accrued expenses 
Total at March 31, 2019 

Total 

Total 

  Carrying   Contractual  
  Cash flows  
€M 

Value 
€M 

2020 
€M 

2021   

      €M 

2022 
€M 

  2023 
      €M 

  Thereafter 
€M 

    3,085.6   
 558.8   
    3,644.4   

 3,242.0   
562.3   
 3,804.3   

 980.1     960.6   
 151.6     256.0   
 204.8  
 25.7   
 105.3   
 226.5   
 356.4     482.5     1,085.4     986.3   

 8.0   
 189.7   
 573.8   
 320.8   
    4,736.7   

 8.0   
 189.7   
 573.8   
 320.8   

 4.6   
 —   
 —   
 —   
 4,896.6     1,440.7     482.5     1,086.0     990.9   

 —   
 189.7   
 573.8   
 320.8   

 0.6   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 893.7 
 — 
 893.7 

 2.8 
 — 
 — 
 — 
 896.5 

175 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
     
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
 
     
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
 
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
 
Total 

Total 

  Carrying   Contractual  
  Cash flows  
€M 

Value 
€M 

2019 
€M 

2020   

2021   

      €M 

      €M 

2022 
€M 

  Thereafter 
€M 

At March 31, 2018 
Long term debt and finance leases: 
-Fixed rate debt (excluding swapped debt)     3,096.4   
 74.4   
-Swapped to fixed rate debt 
    3,170.8   
- Fixed rate debt       1.54% 
 792.2   
- Floating rate debt   0.90% 
    3,963.0   

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   

 3,144.9   
 74.7   
 3,219.6   
 799.3   
 4,018.9   

 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 

 82.3     189.3   
 15.0   
 14.5   
 96.8     204.3   
 202.3     224.3   

 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% 

Derivative financial instruments 
- Interest rate swaps 
- Currency forward contracts 
- Commodity forward contracts 
Trade payables 
Accrued expenses 
Total at March 31, 2017 

Interest rate re-pricing 

Total 

Total 

  Carrying   Contractual  
  Cash flows  

Value 
€M 

€M 

2018 
€M 

2019 
      €M 

2020 
      €M 

2021 
      €M 

  Thereafter 
€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 

 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   
 —   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   
 —   

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, 2019, all 
of the Company’s cash and liquid resources attracted a weighted average interest rate of 0.01% (2018: -0.01%; 2017: 
0.04%). 

Financial assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash > 3 months 
Restricted cash 
Total financial assets 

March 31, 2019 

March 31, 2018 

March 31, 2017 

  Within   

  Within   

  Within   

1 year 
€M 

Total 
€M 

1 year 
€M 

Total 
€M 

1 year 
€M 

Total 
€M 

    1,675.6     1,675.6     1,515.0     1,515.0     1,224.0     1,224.0 
    1,484.4     1,484.4     2,130.5     2,130.5     2,904.5     2,904.5 
 11.8 
    3,194.9     3,194.9     3,680.1     3,680.1     4,140.3     4,140.3 

 34.6   

 34.9   

 34.9   

 34.6   

 11.8   

176 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
 
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
 
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
  
 
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. 

(d)          Foreign currency risk 

The Company has exposure to various foreign currencies (principally U.K. pounds sterling and U.S. dollars) 
due to the international nature of its operations. The Company manages this risk by matching U.K.  pound sterling 
revenues against U.K. pound sterling costs. Any remaining unmatched U.K. pound sterling revenues are used to fund 
U.S. dollar currency exposures that arise in relation to fuel, maintenance, aviation insurance and capital expenditure 
costs or are sold for euro. The Company also sells euro forward to cover certain U.S. dollar costs. Further details of 
the hedging activity carried out by the Company are disclosed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.  

The following table shows the net amount of monetary assets of the Company that are not denominated in 
euro at March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. Such amounts  have  been translated using the following  year-end foreign 
currency rates in 2019 €/£: 0.8606; €/$: 1.1217 (2018: €/£: 0.8756; €/$:1.2321; 2017: €/£: 0.8555; €/$: 1.0691). 

Monetary assets 

U.K. pounds sterling cash and liquid 
resources 
U.S. Dollar cash and liquid resources 

March 31, 2019 

March 31, 2018 

  March 31, 2017 

  GBP 
  U.S.$ 
      £M        $M 

euro  
  equiv. 
      €M 

  GBP 
  U.S.$ 
      £M        $M 

  euro  
  equiv. 
      €M 

  GBP    U.S.$ 
      £M        $M        €M 

  euro  
  equiv. 

    17.0  
 —  
    17.0  

 —   

 19.6     12.2  
 —  
 485.2     432.5   
 485.2     452.1     12.2  

 —   

 13.9     8.0  
 —  
 168.0     136.3   
 168.0     150.2     8.0  

 —   

 9.4 
 10.6     10.0 
 10.6     19.4 

The following table shows the net amount of monetary liabilities of the Company that are not denominated 
in euro at March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. Such amounts have been translated using the following year-end foreign 
currency rates in 2019 €/£: 0.8606; €/$: 1.1217 (2018: €/$1.2321; 2017: €/$1.0691). 

Monetary liabilities 

U.S dollar long term debt 

  March 31, 2019 
euro  
  equiv. 
      €M 

  U.S.$ 
      $M 

  March 31, 2018 
euro  
  equiv. 
      €M 

  U.S.$ 
      $M 

  March 31, 2017 
euro  
  equiv. 
      €M 

  U.S.$ 
      $M 

 202.4     180.5  

 246.1     199.8  

 288.8     270.1 

The Company  has entered into cross currency 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 swap instruments at March 31, 2019 was €1.7m (2018: €0.3m; 2017: €11.3m) which has been 
classified within current assets (2018: current assets; 2017: current assets), specifically derivative assets falling due 
within one year (see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements). 

(e)          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 (“S&P”), 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. 

177 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2019, €0.8m (2018: €0.8m; 2017: €0.8m) of our total accounts receivable balance were past 
due, of which €0.2m (2018: €0.2m; 2017: €0.2m) was impaired and provided for (50% loss allowance) and €0.6m 
(2018:  €0.6m;  2017:  €0.6m)  was  considered  past  due  but  not  impaired  for  which  the  expected  credit  loss  was 
considered immaterial. 

(f)          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,  2019  of  €3,194.9m  (2018:  €3,680.1m;  2017: 
€4,140.3m). During the year, the Company funded €1,546.7m in purchases of property, plant and equipment (2018: 
€1,470.6m;  2017:  €1,449.8m).  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 €560.5m (€531.6m net of tax refund) in share buy-backs (2018: €829.1m; 2017: €1,017.9m). 
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 2020. 

(g)         Guarantees 

The Company has provided €3,796.7 million (2018: €4,118.2 million; 2017: €5,055.2 million) in letters of 
guarantee to secure obligations of subsidiary undertakings in respect of loans, bank advances and long dated foreign 
currency transactions. 

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.  

(h)           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, 2019, a plus or minus one-percentage-point movement in interest rates 
would result in a respective increase or decrease of €5.1m (net of tax) in net interest income and expense in the income 
statement (2018: €8.5m; 2017: €25.8m) and a nil increase or decrease in equity (2018: €0.5m; 2017: nil). All of the 
Group’s  interest  rate  swaps  (to  the  extent  that  it  has  any)  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, 2019 would 
have no impact on the income statement (net of tax) (2018: nil; 2017: nil). The same movement of 10% in foreign 
currency exchange rates would have a positive €893.7m impact (net of tax) on equity if the rate fell by 10% and a 

178 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
negative €731.0m impact (net of tax) if the rate increased by 10% (2018: €866.1m positive or €708.6m negative; 
2017: €336.1m positive or €410.7m negative). 

(i)           Notional principal amounts 

(i)  Forward foreign exchange contracts: 

Notional amounts 
Forward foreign exchange contracts 

Within 1 
Year 
€M 

Greater 
than 1 
Year 
€M 

  Total 
€M 

 4,007.0 

    4,665.0    8,672.0 

The  notional principle amount of outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts at March 31, 2019 amounted to 
€8,672m.  These  foreign  currency  exchange  contracts  are  treated  as  cash  flow  hedges  to  hedge  jet  fuel,  capital 
expenditure and maintenance contracts in US dollars. 

(ii)  Cross currency swaps: The Group has cross currency swaps to swap fixed rate US dollar denominated debt of 
US$98.04m into fixed rate euro debt of €77.84m. As at March 31, 2019 the hedged euro fixed interest rate varies 
between 1.54% to 1.79% depending on the various tranches. 

(iii) Jet  fuel  forward  contracts:  The  Group  has  entered  into  jet  fuel  swap  forward  contracts  with  a  number  of 
counterparties to hedge jet fuel purchases over a period of up to 18 months. The notional amount of these contracts 
are €2,482m ($2,784m) at an average hedged rate per tonne of $705.4. 

12.         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 assets 
Recognition of tax losses 
Total deferred tax assets 

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 

179 

At March 31,  
2018 
€M 

2019 
€M 

2017 
€M 

 31.6   
 31.6   

 36.0   
 36.0   

 2.9 
 2.9 

 (43.2)   
 (43.2)   

 —   
 —   

 — 
 — 

 460.6   
 460.6   

 395.2   
 395.2   

 473.1 
 473.1 

 417.4   

 395.2   

 473.1 

 449.0   

 431.2   

 476.0 

At March 31,  
2018 
€M 

2019 
€M 

2017 
€M 

 36.0   
 96.5   
 (100.9)   
 31.6   

 2.9   
 152.0   
 (118.9)   
 36.0   

 20.9 
 143.6 
 (161.6) 
 2.9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
   
     
   
   
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
   
   
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
   
   
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
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,  
2018 
€M 

2019 
€M 

2017 
€M 

 395.2   

 473.1   

 385.5 

 22.2   
 417.4   

 (77.9)   
 395.2   

 87.6 
 473.1 

The charge in the year to March 31, 2019 consisted of temporary differences of a charge of €69m for property, plant 
and equipment, deferred tax losses (including IFRS 15 adjustment of €35.6m) and a credit of €91.2m for derivatives. 
The charge in the year to March 31, 2018 consisted of temporary differences of a charge of €9.1m for property, plant 
and  equipment  recognised  in  the  income  statement  and  a  credit  of  €87.0m  for  derivatives  recognised  in  other 
comprehensive income. The charge in the year to March 31, 2017 consisted of temporary differences of a charge of 
€10.5m for property, plant and equipment and a charge of €0.3m for other temporary differences, both recognised in 
the income statement, and a charge of €76.6m for derivatives 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    

2019 
€M 
 96.5   
 (33.4)   
 63.1   

2018 
€M 
 152.0   
 9.1   
 161.1   

2017 
€M 
 143.6 
 10.8 
 154.4 

  Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
  March 31,    March 31,    March 31,  

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,  
2018 
      % 

2017 
      % 

2019 
      % 

Statutory rate of Irish corporation tax 
Adjustments for earnings and losses taxed at other rates 
Other differences 
Total effective rate of taxation 

 12.5   
 (5.8) * 
-   
 6.7   

 12.5   
 (2.9)   
 0.4   
 10.0   

 12.5 
 (2.2) 
 0.2 
 10.5 

* Includes the recognition of a  deferred tax asset in respect of net operating losses incurred in Laudamotion (taxable at 25%). 

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,  
2018 
€M 

2019 
€M 

 —   
 (91.2)   
 (91.2)   

 —   
 (87.0)   
 (87.0)   

2017 
€M 

 — 
 76.6 
 76.6 

The  majority  of  current  and  deferred  tax  recorded  in  each  of  fiscal  years  2019,  2018  and  2017  relates  to 
domestic tax charges and there is no expiry date associated with these temporary differences. In fiscal year 2019, the 
Irish corporation tax rate remained at 12.5%. 

180 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
  
 
 
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 

2019 
€M 
 375.7   
 42.3   
 (0.6)   
 417.4   

At March 31,  
2018 
€M 
 444.7   
 (48.9)   
 (0.6)   
 395.2   

2017 
€M 
 435.6 
 38.1 
 (0.6) 
 473.1 

The Company recognised all required deferred tax assets and liabilities at March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. 
No deferred tax has been provided for un-remitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries. 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. 

13.         Provisions  

Provision for aircraft maintenance on operating leased aircraft (a) 
Provision for pension obligation (b) 

      2019 
€M 
 130.7   
 4.9   
135.6   

At March 31,  
      2018 
€M 
 133.2   
 4.9   
 138.1   

      2017 
€M 
 133.3 
 4.9 
 138.2 

(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 

2019 
€M 

At March 31,  
2018 
€M 

2017 
€M 

 133.2   
 19.8   
 (22.3)   
130.7   

 133.3   
 13.8   
 (13.9)   
 133.2   

 144.4 
 25.6 
 (36.7) 
 133.3 

During fiscal year 2019, the Company returned 5 aircraft held under operating lease to the lessors. 

The expected timing of the outflows of economic benefits associated with the provision at March 31, 2019, 

2018 and 2017 are as follows:  

  Carrying      
     Value      2020    

€M 

€M 

2021    2022     2023      Thereafter 
€M 
€M 

   €M 

€M 

At March 31, 2019 
Provision for leased aircraft maintenance 

At March 31, 2018 
Provision for leased aircraft maintenance 

At March 31, 2017 
Provision for leased aircraft maintenance 

 130.7     100.5   

 18.8   

 7.6   

3.8   

— 

  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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(b) Provision for pension obligation 
At beginning of year 
Movement during the year 
At end of year 

      2019 
€M 

At March 31,  
      2018 
€M 

      2017 
€M 

 4.9   
 —   
 4.9   

 4.9   
 —   
 4.9   

 4.9 
 — 
 4.9 

See Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements for further details.  

14.         Other creditors 

In prior years this consisted of deferred gains arising from the sale and leaseback of aircraft. During fiscal 
year 2019, 5 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 (2018: 2; 2017: nil).  Total sale-and-leaseback aircraft at March 
31, 2019 was 26. 

15.         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: 

1,133,395,322 ordinary equity shares of 0.600 euro cent each 
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 

At March 31,  
2018 
€M 

2017 
€M 

2019 
€M 

 9.3   
 0.7   
 0.7   
 10.7   

 9.3  
 0.7  
 0.7  
 10.7 

 6.8   
 —   
 —   

 —   
 7.0   
 —   

9.3 
0.7 
0.7 
10.7 

 — 
 — 
 7.3 

During fiscal year 2016, the Group returned €398m 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, 2017 such that there were no ‘B’ Shares or Deferred Shares remaining in issue as at March 31, 2017. 

Other movement in the share capital balance year-on-year principally relates to the cancellation of 37.8m 
shares relating to share buy-backs (2018: 46.7m; 2017: 72.8m). There were no new shares issued in fiscal year 2019 
(2018: nil; 2017: nil). 

Ordinary equity shares do not confer on the holders thereof the specific right to be paid a dividend out of 

profits. 

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(b) 

Share premium account 

Balance at beginning of year 
Balance at end of year 

(c) 

Share options and share purchase arrangements 

2019 
€M 
 719.4    
 719.4    

At March 31,  
2018 
€M 
 719.4 
 719.4    

2017 
€M 
 719.4 
 719.4 

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, 2016 
Granted 
Forfeited 
Outstanding at March 31, 2017 
Outstanding at March 31, 2018 
Granted 
Forfeited 
Outstanding at March 31, 2019 

      Share Options      
M 

Weighted 
Average 

€ 

€ 
€ 
€ 

       Exercise Price 
 6.97 
 12.0 
 9.42 
 7.70 
 7.70 
 11.12 
 12.00 
 9.38 

€ 

€ 

 17.3  
 3.0  
 (0.2)  
 20.1  
 20.1  
 20.0  
 (0.3)  
 39.8  

The mid-market price of Ryanair Holdings plc’s ordinary shares on Euronext Dublin at March 31, 2019 was 
€11.67 (2018: €16.00; 2017: €14.53). The highest and lowest prices at which the Company’s shares traded on Euronext 
Dublin in fiscal year 2019 were €16.72 and €10.04 respectively (fiscal year 2018 were €19.39 and €14.55 respectively; 
fiscal year 2017 were €14.96 and €10.46 respectively). There were no options exercisable at March 31, 2019 (2018: 
nil; 2017: nil). The average share price for fiscal year 2019 was €13.28 (2018: €16.95; 2017: €13.28). 

There were no options exercised during fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017. 

At  March  31,  2019  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 (€) 
6.25-10.99 
11.00-17.55 

average 
remaining 

  Weighted- 
  Number 
  average 
  outstanding    contractual life    exercise  
       price (€) 
 6.96 
 11.24 

(years) 
 2.95 
 6.58 

 17.3 
 22.5 

       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 €7.7m to the income 
statement  (2018:  €6.4m;  2017:  €5.7m  charge)  being  recognised  within  the  income  statement  in  accordance  with 
employee services rendered. 

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Fair value at grant date 
Share price at grant date 
Exercise price 
Dividend yield 
Volatility 
Risk free interest rate 
Expected term (years) 

Year ended  
March 31, 2019 

1.68 
11.12 
11.12 
3% 
25% 
— 
7 years 

A blend of the historical and implied volatilities of the Company’s own ordinary shares is used to determine 
expected  volatility  for  share  option  granted.  The  weighted-average  volatility  is  determined  by  calculating  the 
weighted-average of volatilities for all share options granted in a given year. The expected term of share option grants 
represents the weighted-average period the awards are expected to remain outstanding. For share options granted in 
2017, we estimated the weighted-average expected term based on historical exercise data. The service period is five 
years. 

The risk-free interest rate assumption was based on Eurozone zero-coupon bond instruments whose term was 
consistent with the expected term of the share option granted.  The expected dividend yield assumption was based on 
our history and expectation of dividend payouts. 

16.         Other equity reserves  

The total share based payments reserve at March 31, 2019 was €29.0m (2018: €21.3m; 2017: €14.9m). The 
treasury  reserve  amounted  to  €nil  at  March  31,  2019  (2018:  €nil;  2017:  €nil).  The  total  cash-flow  hedge  reserve 
amounted to positive €274.6m at March 31, 2019 (2018: negative €359.7m; 2017: positive €221.9m). Further details 
of the group’s derivatives are set out in Notes 5 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements.  

17.         Analysis of operating revenues and segmental analysis 

The Company is managed as a single business unit that provides low fares airline-related services, including 
scheduled services, internet and other related services to third parties across a European route network. The Company 
primarily operates a single fleet of aircraft (455 Boeing 737 aircraft and 16 Airbus A320 aircraft at March 31, 2019), 
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, Group CEO, who is the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM). There 
have been no changes to the basis of segmentation or the measurement basis for the segment profit or loss since the 
prior year. The new group structure announced in February 2019 comes into effect after March 31, 2019, accordingly 
the Group remained managed as a single business unit and is reported as a single reportable segment. 

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 largely uniform in type.  The objective in making resource allocation decisions is to maximise the 
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. The losses associated with the acquisition of Laudamotion in August 2018, were non-recurring 
due to the start-up nature of the airline during the year ended March 31, 2019. 

All segment revenue is derived wholly from external customers and, as the Company has a single reportable 

segment, inter-segment revenue is zero.   

184 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

Reportable segment information is presented as follows: 

External revenues (i) 

  Year ended       Year ended       Year ended    
  March 31,     
  March 31,  
  March 31,  
2017 
€M 
 6,647.8  

 7,151.0   

 7,697.4   

2018 
€M 

2019 
€M 

Reportable segment profit after income tax (ii) 

 885.0   

 1,450.2   

 1,315.9  

Other segment information: 
Depreciation 
Finance expense 
Finance income 
Capital expenditure – cash 

Reportable segment assets 
Reportable segment liabilities 

 (640.5)   
 (59.1)  
 3.7   
 (1,546.7)   

 (561.0)   
 (60.1)  
 2.0   
 (1,470.6)   

 (497.5)  
 (67.2)  
 4.2  
 (1,449.8)  

  At March 31,     At March 31,     At March 31,  
2018 
€M 
 12,361.8   
 7,892.9   

2019 
€M 
 13,250.7   
 8,035.8   

2017 
€M 
 11,989.7 
 7,566.7 

(i)  External revenues includes €134.5m of Laudamotion revenues for the year ended March 31, 2019 only. 

(ii)  Reportable segment profit after income tax includes €139.5m of Laudamotion losses for the year ended March 

31, 2019. 

Entity-wide disclosures: 

In accordance with IFRS 8 paragraph 13, revenue by country of origin has been provided where revenue for 
that country is in excess of 10% of total revenue. Ireland is presented as it represents the country of domicile. “Other 
European countries” includes all other countries in which the Group has operations. 

Year ended         Year ended         Year ended  
  March 31,  

  March 31,  

  March 31,  

United Kingdom 
Italy 
Spain 
Germany 
Ireland 
Other European countries 

Ancillary Revenues 

2019 
€M 

 1,715.3   
 1,440.8  
 1,005.6  
773.2  
 529.8  
 2,232.7   
 7,697.4   

2018 
€M 

 1,644.7   
 1,358.7  
 929.6  
643.6  
 500.6  
 2,073.8   
 7,151.0   

2017 
€M 
 1,690.3 
 1,270.0 
 820.6 
543.4 
 739.0 
1,584.5 
 6,647.8 

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 priority boarding, allocated seats, room reservations, car 
hire,  travel  insurance  and  other  sources,  including  excess  baggage  charges  and  administration  fees,  all  directly 
attributable to the low-fares business. 

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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. As the majority of the Groups’ aircraft 
were registered in Ireland at March 31, 2019 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.  

18.         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,  
2019 
2017 
2018 
 11,150 
 13,911   
 1,288 
 2,027   
 12,438 
 15,938   

 12,334   
 1,469   
 13,803   

At March 31, 2019 the Company had a team of 16,840 aviation professionals (2018: 14,583). Fiscal year 

2019 includes Laudamotion and Ryanair Sun (Buzz). 

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,  
2018 
 701.5   
 24.8   
 5.8   
 6.4   
 738.5   

2019 
 929.2   
 38.5   
 8.6   
 7.7   
984.0   

2017 
 599.5 
 23.0 
 4.8 
 5.7 
 633.0 

(a)  Costs  in  respect  of  defined-contribution  benefit  plans  and  other  pension  arrangements  were  €8.6m  in  2019 

including Laudamotion (2018: €5.8m; 2017: €4.8m). 

(b)  In the year ended March 31, 2019 the charge in the income statement of €7.7m 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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19.         Statutory and other information 

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 services (i) 
Audit related services (ii) 
Tax advisory services (iii) 
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 

  Year ended     Year ended     Year ended  
  March 31,  
  March 31,  
  March 31,  
2017 
2018 
2019 
€M 
€M 
€M 

0.7   
1.9   
 1.8   
 4.4   

 0.5   
-  
0.2   
0.7   

 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 
- 
 0.5 
 0.9 

0.1  
-   
0.1   
0.2   
 633.4   
 7.1   
83.9   

-   
 0.1   
 0.2   
 0.3   
 548.7   
 12.3   
 82.3   

- 
- 
 0.2 
 0.2 
 478.7 
 18.8 
 86.1 

(i)  Audit  services  comprise  audit  work  performed  on  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  including  statutory 
financial statements of subsidiary entities. In 2019 €1,000 (2018: €1,000; 2017: €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 
2018 
2019 
€M 
€M 
€M 
 1.06 
 1.06   
 1.06   
 0.95 
 —   
 0.77   
 1.25 
 1.25   
 1.55   
 3.26 
 2.31   
 3.38   

During the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 Michael O’Leary was the only Executive Director. 
He waived his entitlement to an annual bonus in financial year 2018 following the pilot rostering failure of September 
2017. 

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(b)  Fees and emoluments – Non-Executive Directors 

Fees 
David Bonderman 
Roisin Brennan (i) 
Michael Cawley 
Emer Daly (ii) 
John Leahy (iii) 
Stan McCarthy (iv) 
Charles McCreevy (v) 
Declan McKeon (vi) 
Kyran McLaughlin 
Howard Millar 
Dick Milliken 
Mike O’Brien (vii) 
Julie O’Neill 
James Osborne (viii) 
Louise Phelan 

Emoluments 
Share based compensation 
Total 

  Year ended       Year ended       Year ended  
  March 31,  
  March 31,  
2017 
2018 
€M 
€M 

  March 31,  
2019 
€M 

 0.10   
 0.04   
 0.05  
 0.05  
 —   
 0.05  
 0.03   
 0.03   
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.05   
 0.08   
 0.05   
 —   
 0.05   
 0.68   

 0.29   
 0.97   

 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 

(i) 
 Roisin Brennan was appointed to the Board of Directors effective in May 2018. 
(ii)   Emer Daly was appointed to the Board of Directors effective in December 2017. 
(iii)  John Leahy served on the Board of Directors between August 2015 and September 2016. 
(iv)  Stan McCarthy was appointed to the Board of Directors effective in May 2017. 
(v)   Charles McCreevy retired from the Board of Directors effective in September 2018. 
(vi)  Declan McKeon retired from the Board of Directors effective in September 2018. 
(vii)  Mike O’Brien was appointed to the Board effective in May 2016. 
(viii) 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  Mr.  O’Leary  at  March  31,  2019  was  €0.1m  (2018:  €0.1m;  2017: 
€0.1m).  Pension benefits have been computed in accordance with Section 6.1 of the Listing Rules of Euronext Dublin. 
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. 

Mr. O’Leary is a member of a defined-contribution plan. During the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 
2017 the Company did not make contributions to the defined-contribution plan for Mr. O’Leary.  No Non-Executive 
Directors are members of the Company defined-contribution plan. 

(d)  Shares and share options 

(i) Shares 

Ryanair Holdings plc is listed on the Euronext Dublin, London and NASDAQ stock exchanges.  

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The beneficial interests as at March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 of the Directors in office at March 31, 2019 

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 
Julie O'Neill 
Louise Phelan 

(ii) Share options 

2019 
 7,535,454   
 756,198   
 3,260  
 10,000  
 225,000   
 390,000   
 9,750   

No. of Shares at March 31,  
2018 
 7,535,454   
 756,198   
 3,260  
 10,000  
 225,000   
 390,000   
 9,750   

2017 
 7,535,454 
 756,198 
 — 
 — 
 225,000 
 390,000 
 9,750 
    44,096,725     46,096,725     50,096,725 
 — 
 6,825 

 1,000   
 30,000   

 —   
 6,825   

The share options held by each Director in office at the end of fiscal year 2019 were as follows: 

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

2019 
 80,000   
 50,000  
 80,000   
 50,000  
 50,000  
 80,000   
 80,000   
 80,000   
 50,000  

No. of Options at March 31,  
2018 
 30,000   
 —  
 30,000   
 —  
 —  
 30,000   
 30,000   
 30,000   
 —  

2017 
 30,000 
 — 
 30,000 
 — 
 — 
 30,000 
 30,000 
 30,000 
 — 
    15,000,000     5,000,000     5,000,000 
 30,000 
 30,000 

 30,000   
 30,000   

 80,000   
 80,000   

(a)  30,000 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 May 21, 2019 and July 1, 2022 subject to the Director still 
being a Non-Executive Director of the Company through April 30, 2019. 

(b)  5,000,000 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)  30,000 options were granted to this Director at an exercise price of €11.38 (the market price at the date of grant) 

during fiscal year 2016 and are exercisable between May 21, 2019 and July 1, 2022. 

(d)  50,000 options were granted to these Directors at an exercise price of €11.12 (the market value at the date of 
grant) during fiscal year 2019. These options are exercisable between September 2024 and February 2026 subject 
to the Director still being a Non-Executive Director of the Company through July 31, 2024. 

(e)  10,000,000 options were granted to Mr. O’Leary at an exercise price of €11.12 (the market value at the date of 
grant) during fiscal year 2019. These options are exercisable between September 2024 and February 2026 subject 
to him still being an employee of the Company through July 31, 2024. 

In fiscal year 2019 the Company incurred total share-based compensation expense of €1.9m (2018: €1.5m; 

2017: €1.5m) in relation to Directors. 

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20.         Finance expense  

Interest payable 
Interest arising on pension liabilities 

21.         Pensions 

Defined-contribution schemes 

  Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
  March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
2018 
€M 
 60.1   
 —   
 60.1   

2019 
€M 
 59.1   
 —   
 59.1   

2017 
€M 
 67.2 
 — 
 67.2 

At March 31, 2019 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 €8.6m in 2019 (2018: €5.8m; 2017: €4.8m) 

Defined-benefit 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, 2019 was €4.1m 
(2018: €4.1m; 2017: €4.1m).  Costs associated with the scheme during fiscal year 2019 was €nil (2018: €nil; 2017: 
€nil). 

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 

22.         Earnings per share  

Basic earnings per ordinary share (€) 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (€) 
Number of ordinary shares (in Ms) used for EPS (weighted average) 
Basic 
Diluted (a) 

2019 
€M 
 (15.0)   
 10.3   
 (4.7)   
 0.6   
 (4.1)   

At March 31,  
2018 
€M 
 (15.0)   
 10.3   
 (4.7)   
 0.6   
 (4.1)   

2017 
€M 
 (15.0) 
 10.3 
 (4.7) 
 0.6 
 (4.1) 

2019 
 0.7739   
 0.7665   

At March 31,  
2018 
 1.2151   
 1.2045   

2017 
 1.0530 
 1.0464 

 1,143.6   
 1,154.6   

 1,193.5   
 1,204.0   

 1,249.7 
 1,257.5 

(a)  Details of share options in issue have been described more fully in Note 15 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 2019, the weighted average number of shares in issue of 1,154.6m 
includes weighted average share options assumed to be converted, and equal to a total of 11.0m shares. For fiscal year 
2018, the weighted average number of shares in issue of 1,204.0m includes weighted average share options assumed 
to be converted, and equal to a total of 10.5m shares. For fiscal year 2017, the weighted average number of shares in 
issue  of 1,257.5m includes  weighted average  share  options assumed to be converted, and equal to a total of 7.8m 
shares.  

The average market value of the Company’s shares for the purpose of calculating the dilutive effect of the 

share options was based on quoted market prices for the year during which the options were outstanding. 

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23.         Commitments and contingencies 

Commitments 

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 2020 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 $21bn (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. 

The table below details the firm aircraft delivery schedule at March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 for the 

Group pursuant to the 2014 Boeing contracts. 

  Aircraft 
  Delivered at    Deliveries 
  March 31,  
2018 

2019 

  Firm Aircraft   Aircraft 

  Firm Aircraft    Firm Aircraft 

  Fiscal Year    March 31, 

 Delivered at    Deliveries 
  Fiscal Year 

Deliveries 

  Post Fiscal Year    Firm Aircraft   

2019 

2020 

2020 

Total 

  Basic 
  price per 
  aircraft 
(U.S.$ 
      million) 
 135     102.50 

2014 Contract 

 —   

 —  

 —   

 20   

 115   

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.$2.9m 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.$1.6m 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, 2019 and March 31, 2018, the total potential 
commitment to acquire all 135 (2018: 164; 2017: 179) “firm” aircraft, not taking such increases and decreases into 
account, will be approximately U.S. $13.8bn (2018: $16.1bn; 2017: U.S. $16.5bn). 

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 
2019, 50 operating lease aircraft were returned to the lessor at the agreed maturity date of the lease. At March 31, 2019 
Ryanair had 26 Boeing 737 operating lease aircraft in the fleet and 16 A320s. 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 36 remaining operating leases are U.S. dollar-denominated which require Ryanair to make fixed rental payments. 
The Company had an option to extend the initial period of seven years on 10 of the remaining operating lease aircraft 

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as at March 31, 2019, on pre-determined terms. As at March 31, 2019 the Company has exercised 10 of these options 
to extend. The following table sets out the total future minimum payments of leasing 36 aircraft (2018: 31 aircraft; 
2017: 33 aircraft), at March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively: 

Due within one year 
Due between one and five years 
Due after five years 
Total 

Finance leases 

2019 
  Minimum 
  payments 
€M 
103.5   
176.7   
9.9   
290.1   

At March 31,  
2018 
  Minimum 
  payments 
€M 
 76.8   
 73.5   
 —   
 150.3   

2017 
  Minimum 
  payments 
€M 
 88.9 
 142.9 
 — 
 231.8 

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 12 of these aircraft in fiscal year 2019 (2018: 6; 2017: 4). 3 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 12 aircraft (2018: 

16 aircraft; 2017: 22 aircraft) under JOLCOs at March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively: 

2019 

At March 31,  
2018 

2017 

  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 
 21.4   
 178.7   
 —   
 200.1   
 (0.7)   
 199.4   

€M 
 20.9   
 165.5   
 —   
 186.4   
 (0.6)   
 185.8   

€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 

Commitments resulting from the use of derivative financial instruments by the Company are described in 

Notes 5 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Contingencies 

The Company is engaged in litigation arising in the ordinary course of its business. 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  €9.9m  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 €12.6m of alleged aid. Ryanair appealed the seven “aid” decisions to the EU General 
Court. In late 2018, the General Court upheld the Commission’s findings regarding Ryanair’s arrangements with Pau, 
Nimes,  Angouleme  and  Altenburg  airports,  and  overturned  the  Commission’s  finding  regarding  Ryanair’s 

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arrangement with Zweibrücken airport.  Ryanair has appealed these four negative findings to the European Court of 
Justice.    These  appeals  are  expected  to  take  at  least  two  years.  The  appeal  proceedings  before  the  General  Court 
regarding Ryanair’s arrangements with Cagliari and Klagenfurt airports are expected to take approx. two 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,  Montpellier  and  Frankfurt  (Hahn).  These 
investigations  are  ongoing  and  Ryanair  expects  that  they  will  conclude  in  2019,  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. 

24.         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 

2019 
€M 

At March 31,  
2018 
€M 

 (282.9)   
 160.6   
 (646.1)   
 0.3   
 (4.3)   
 322.9   
 (166.6)   
 (449.5)   

 (244.2)   
 291.0   
 (774.0)   
 22.8   
 27.8   
 393.7   
 (38.7)   
 (282.9)   

2017 
€M 
 311.5 
 (35.2) 
 (157.8) 
 (1.2) 
 (15.2) 
 (346.3) 
 (555.7) 
 (244.2) 

 3,194.9   

 3,680.1   

 4,140.3 
    (3,644.4)     (3,963.0)     (4,384.5) 
 (244.2) 

 (282.9)   

 (449.5)   

The following table outlines the changes in the carrying value of liabilities from financing activities (and their related  
hedges) between March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019: 

Long term debt 

Derivatives hedging long term debt 
- of which assets 
- of which liabilities 

At March 31, 
2018 
€M 

 (3,963.0)   

Net Cash 
flows 
€M 
 322.9 

Foreign 
exchange 
changes 
€M 

Fair value 
changes 
€M 

 (4.3)   

 — 

At March 31, 
2019 
€M 

 (3,644.4) 

 0.3  
 (7.0)  

 —  
 —  

 —  
 —  

 3.7  
 7.0  

 4.0 
 — 

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25.         Shareholder returns 

In  the  year  ended  March  31,  2019  the  Company  bought  back  37.8m  ordinary  shares  at  a  total  cost  of 
approximately  €561m  (€531.6m  net  of  tax  refund).  This  buy-back  was  equivalent  to  approximately  3.2%  of  the 
Company's issued share capital at March 31, 2019. All of these repurchased ordinary shares were cancelled at March 
31, 2019. 

In  the  year  ended  March  31,  2018  the  Company  bought  back  46.7m  ordinary  shares  at  a  total  cost  of 
approximately €829m. This buy-back 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  72.3m  ordinary  shares  at  a  total  cost  of 
approximately €1,018m.  This is equivalent to approximately 5.6% of the Company’s issued share capital at March 
31, 2017. All of these repurchased ordinary shares were cancelled at March 31, 2017.  

As  a  result  of  the  share  buy-backs,  in  the  year  ended  March  31,  2019,  share  capital  decreased  by  37.8m 
ordinary shares (46.7m ordinary shares in the year ended March 31, 2018) with a nominal value of €0.2m (€0.3m in 
the year ended March 31, 2018) and the other undenominated capital reserve increased by a corresponding €0.2m (€
0.3m in the year ended March 31, 2018). The other undenominated capital reserve is required to be created under Irish 
law to preserve permanent capital in the Parent Company.  

26.        Post-balance sheet events 

In May 2019, the Group concluded a low cost, €750m unsecured (5 year) syndicated bank facility for general 
corporate purposes. The facility is at a margin of 0.65% over cost of funds, and is a bullet repayment with a 5 year 
tenor. This facility was fully drawn down in May 2019.   

In  June  2019,  management  committed  to  a  plan  to  sell  10  of  the  Company’s  Boeing  737-800  aircraft. 
Accordingly, these aircraft are presented as assets held for sale as at 30 June 2019. Efforts to sell these aircraft have 
started and the sale is expected to be completed over the coming months. At 30 June 2019, these assets are stated at 
the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. 

Between April 1, 2019 and July 25, 2019, the Company had bought back 12.3m ordinary shares at a total cost 
of  €137.6m  under its €700m  share buy-back  which commenced in May 2019. This  was  equivalent to 1.1% of the 
Company’s share capital at March 31, 2019.  All ordinary shares repurchased are cancelled. 

27.         Subsidiary undertakings and related party transactions 

The following are the principal subsidiary undertakings of Ryanair Holdings plc: 

Name 

% Held 

Registered 
Office 

Ryanair (DAC) 

Ryanair Sun S.A. 

Laudamotion GmbH 

100 

100 

100 

Airside Business Park, 
Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland 
21 Cybernetyki street, 02-677 
Warsaw, Poland 
Concorde Business Park 
2/F/10, Schwechat, 2320 
Austria 

Nature of 
Business 

Airline operator 

Airline operator 

Airline operator 

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 have been consolidated in the financial statements of Ryanair 
Holdings plc for the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. 

The total amount of remuneration paid to senior key management (defined as the Executive team reporting 
to the Board of Directors, as set out on page 116, together with all Non-Executive Directors) amounted to €13.4m in 

194 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the  fiscal  year ended March  31, 2019 (2018:  €10.7m; 2017:  €11.4m), the  majority of  which comprises short-term 
employee benefits. 

Basic salary and bonus 
Pension contributions 
Non-executive directors fees 
Share-based compensation expense 

28.         Date of approval 

  Year ended     Year ended     Year ended  
  March 31,  
  March 31,  
  March 31,  
2017 
2018 
2019 
€M 
€M 
€M 

 8.0   
0.2   
0.7  
4.5   
 13.4   

 6.7   
 0.2   
 0.7  
 3.1   
 10.7   

 7.5 
 0.2 
 0.6 
 3.1 
 11.4 

The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on July 26, 

2019. 

195 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Company Balance Sheet 

At March 31, 

Note 

2019 
€M 

2018 
€M 

2017 
€M 

30 

31 

32 

131.5 

129.2 

117.4 

858.7 
8.1 

1,385.3 
7.7 

920.2 
7.1 

          998.3 

          1,522.2 

1,044.7 

35.2 

35.2 

35.2 

6.8 
719.4 
3.2 
204.7 
29.0 

7.0 
719.4 
3.0 
736.3 
21.3 

7.3 
719.4 
2.7 
265.3 
14.9 

963.1 

1,487.0 

1,009.6 

998.3 

1,522.2 

1,044.7 

Non-current assets 
Investments in subsidiaries 

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 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

On behalf of the Board 

D. Bonderman   
Director 
July 26, 2019 

M. O’Leary 
Director 

196 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
               
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Cash Flows 

Operating activities 
Profit for the year 
Net cash provided by operating activities 

Investing activities 
Decrease/(increase) in investments in subsidiaries 
Decrease/(increase) in loans to subsidiaries 

Net cash from/(used in) investing activities 

Financing activities 
Shareholder returns (net of tax) 

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, 
2019 
€M 

Year Ended 
March 31, 
2018 
€M 

Year Ended 
March 31, 
2017 
€M 

- 
- 

1,300.1 
1,300.1 

5.4 
526.6 

532.0 

(5.4) 
(465.0) 

(470.4) 

750.0 
750.0 

- 
269.2 

269.2 

(531.6) 

(829.1) 

(1,017.9) 

-                   

                  - 

- 

(531.6) 

(829.1) 

(1,017.9) 

0.4 

7.7 

8.1 

0.6 

7.1 

7.7 

1.3 

5.8 

7.1 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

197 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity 

Issued 
Share 
Capital 
€M 

Ordinary 
Shares 
M 
1,290.7 

€M 

7.7 

719.4 

Share 
Premium 
Retained 
Account  Earnings 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

(72.3) 
(0.5) 

1,217.9 

(0.4) 
- 

7.3 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

719.4 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

€M 
540.5 

750.0 
750.0 

- 
(1,017.9) 

- 
(7.3) 

265.3 

1,300.1 
1,300.1 

- 
- 
(829.1) 

(46.7) 
1,171.2 

(0.3) 
7.0 

- 
719.4 

- 
736.3 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 
(531.6) 

Other 
Undenom- 
inated 
Capital 
€M 

2.3 

- 
- 

- 
- 

0.4 
- 

2.7 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

0.3 
3.0 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

Other 
Reserves 
€M 

1.9 

- 
- 

5.7 
- 

- 
7.3 

Total 
€M 
1,271.8 

750.0 
750.0 

5.7 
(1,017.9) 

- 
- 

14.9 

1,009.6 

- 
- 

1,300.1 
1,300.1 

- 
6.4 
- 

- 
21.3 

- 
- 

- 
7.7 
- 

- 
6.4 
(829.1) 

- 
1,487.0 

- 
- 

- 
7.7 
(531.6) 

(37.8) 
1,133.4 

(0.2) 
6.8 

- 
719.4 

- 
204.7 

0.2 
3.2 

- 
29.0 

- 
963.1 

Balance at March 31, 2016 
Comprehensive income 
Profit for the year 
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 
Cancellation of treasury shares 
Balance at March 31, 2017 
Comprehensive income 
Profit for the year 
Total comprehensive income 
Transactions with owners of the Company, 
recognised directly in equity 
Issue of ordinary equity shares 
Share-based payments 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares 
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary  
Shares 
Balance at March 31, 2018 
Comprehensive income 
Profit for the year 
Total comprehensive income 
Transactions with owners of the Company, 
recognised directly in equity 
Issue of ordinary equity shares 
Share-based payments 
Repurchase of ordinary equity shares / 
stamp duty 
Cancellation of repurchased ordinary  
Shares 
Balance at March 31, 2019 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial information. 

198 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes forming part of the Company Financial Statements 

29.        Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies 

The Company’s 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 as at March 31, 2019.  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 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 15 (c) to the consolidated financial statements. 

Income taxes  

Income taxes are accounted for by the Company in a manner consistent to that set out in the Group income tax 

accounting policy. 

Financial assets  

The Company holds investments in subsidiary companies, which are carried at cost less any impairments. 

199 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guarantees  

The Company occasionally guarantees certain liabilities of subsidiary companies. These are considered to be 
insurance arrangements and are accounted for as such i.e. a contingent liability until such time as it becomes probable 
that the Company will be required to make a payment under the guarantee. Additional details are provided in Note 
34 to 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. 

30.   Investments in subsidiaries 

Year Ended  
March 31, 
2019 
€M 

Year Ended  
March 31, 
2018 
€M 

Year Ended  
March 31, 
2017 
€M 

Balance at start of year 
(Decrease)/Increase in investments 
New investments in subsidiaries by way of share option grant to 
subsidiary employees 
Balance at end of year 

129.2 
(5.4) 

7.7 
131.5 

117.4 
5.4 

6.4 
129.2 

111.7 
- 

5.7 
117.4 

31.   Loans and receivables from subsidiaries 

Due from Ryanair DAC (subsidiary) 

Year Ended  
March 31, 
2019 
€M 

Year Ended  
March 31, 
2018 
€M 

Year Ended  
March 31, 
2017 
€M 

858.7 
858.7 

1,385.3 
1,385.3 

920.2 
920.2 

All amounts due from subsidiaries are interest free and repayable upon demand. The expected credit loss 

associated with the above balances is considered to be insignificant. 

32.  Amounts due to subsidiaries 

Due to Ryanair DAC (subsidiary) 

Year Ended 
March 31, 
2019 
€M 

Year Ended 
March 31, 
2018 
€M 

Year Ended 
March 31, 
2017 
€M 

35.2 
35.2 

35.2 
35.2 

35.2 
35.2 

At March 31, 2019, Ryanair Holdings plc had borrowings of €35.2 million (2018: €35.2 million; 2017: €35.2 

million) from Ryanair DAC. The loan is interest free and repayable on demand.  

200 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
33.   Financial instruments 

The  Company  does  not  undertake  hedging  activities  on  behalf  of  itself  or  other  companies  within  the  Group. 

Financial instruments in the Company primarily take the form of loans to subsidiary undertakings. 

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 31 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 34 of these Company financial statements. 

34.   Contingencies 

 a) The Company has provided €3,796.7 million (2018: €4,118.2 million; 2017: €5,055.2 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 27. 

35.  Dividends  

Please refer to Note 25 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

36.  Post-balance sheet events 

Please refer to Note 26 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

37.  Date of approval 

The Company financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on July 26, 2019. 

201 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Directors 

Directors and Other Information 

D. Bonderman 
R. Brennan 
M. Cawley 
E. Daly 
S. McCarthy 
K. McLaughlin 
H. Millar 
D. Milliken 
M. O’Brien 
M. O’Leary 
J. O’Neill 
L. Phelan 

Chairman 

Group 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 

202 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
APPENDIX A 

GLOSSARY 

Certain  of  the  terms  included  in  the  section  on  Selected  Operating  and  Other  Data  and  elsewhere  in  this 
Annual Report on Form 20-F have the  meanings indicated below and refer only to Ryanair’s scheduled passenger 
service. 

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. 

203