Holidaymakers in Europe face higher prices for flights next summer due to "pressure from a number of fronts", Ryanair's Eddie Wilson says.
It comes after Michael O’Leary - the CEO of the Ryanair group - warned that prices will be ‘dramatically higher’ next summer.
He told The Sunday Times Ryanair’s expecting a major recovery in terms of air traffic, but customers can expect to pay more for seats due to fewer flights.
His prediction comes alongside steadily recovering demand for travel following the recent easing of restrictions, as well as the recent collapse of airlines such as Thomas Cook and Flybe.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Eddie Wilson - CEO of Ryanair DAC - said the impact is going to be felt across Europe.
He said: “What you can see is the pressures that are going to come on pricing next year are going to come from a number of fronts.
“Long-haul travel isn’t going to return in the way it did previously - people who previously went on holidays to Florida or south-east Asia are going to holiday in Europe next year.
“There are less airlines, and less airline seats around. Generally speaking… when there’s less of something, then prices generally rise.”
Mr Wilson said the impact won't be limited to airlines, and hotel prices are also likely to increase.
Overall, Ryanair is expecting there'll be around 20% less capacity next year across Europe, despite the expected dramatic recovery after 18 months of tough pandemic restrictions.
Mr Wilson suggested Ireland could mitigate against some of that price pressure by increasing the supply of flights.
He said: “The advice I’d give… is for consumers to book early, and for the Government to put those incentives in to ensure the largest share of Ryanair’s capacity comes into Ireland.”
He was speaking after it was announced yesterday that the airline is investing €50m in a new aviation training centre in Dublin, as part of its plans to recruit 5,000 new staff across Europe in the next five years.
