British holidaymakers planning trips to the Canary Islands next year could face higher flight costs, after Ryanair’s chief executive warned that European air fares could rise by up to 20%.
Michael O’Leary made the forecast on Tuesday (20th October), pointing to rising aviation fuel costs and reduced airline capacity.
His warning concerns the wider European market. No specific fare increase has been announced for routes between the UK and the Canary Islands.
For British residents travelling home, families visiting relatives and holidaymakers booking their next island break, the prospect of more expensive flights will nevertheless be an unwelcome consideration when planning next year’s travel budget.
O’Leary said airlines face greater exposure to fuel prices in 2027 as existing arrangements to buy fuel at agreed prices run out. He also pointed to airline failures and consolidation reducing the number of seats available.
The scale of any increase remains uncertain. His forecast does not mean every airline, route or departure will become 20% more expensive, or that existing bookings will rise in price.
