Ryanair: O’Leary Blasts Ukraine Airports’ Profit Focus

Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary has sharply criticized Ukrainian airport operators for failing to engage on post-war recovery plans, accusing them of prioritizing profit over rebuilding vital air links. Speaking during an investor call on May 19, after Ryanair reported a €1.61 billion profit after tax for the year to March 31, 2025, O’Leary reiterated the airline’s commitment to returning to Ukraine and restoring service to Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa. He projected that Ryanair could carry five million passengers in the first year back and grow to ten million within three or four years, provided that airports offer incentives to stimulate traffic. Instead, O’Leary lamented, “We have been disappointed at the response of the Ukraine airports, who have basically refused to engage with us. All we’re getting out of the airports is, ‘Just pay the public charges.’” He warned that without discounting fees, his carrier might only bring one million passengers in year one, rising to two or three million thereafter. O’Leary argued that rapid economic recovery in Ukraine depends on affordable air travel and urged airports to follow the example of other European hubs by aggressively discounting charges to all airlines, not only to Ryanair. He was equally critical of airport directors, calling some “lazy” and insisting they “should do a deal with us quickly if they want real radical growth and real radical economic rebuilding and development in Ukraine.” Prior to Russia’s February 2022 invasion, Ryanair served Kharkiv, Kyiv Boryspil, Lviv and Odesa, offering around 550,000 departing seats from Boryspil in 2021—making it the airport’s fourth-largest carrier. O’Leary emphasized Ryanair’s unique ability to resume service from roughly 26 to 30 European cities “on day one” once security permits, leveraging its extensive base network to reconnect Ukraine to the continent. His comments echo broader industry concerns that prohibitive airport fees could thwart demand and impede Ukraine’s reintegration into global aviation markets. In response to these criticisms, Aviation Week sought comment from Kyiv Boryspil’s management; KBP director of commercial and strategy Sergiy Khyzhnyak told Routes Europe 2025 in Seville that the airport could resume operations within a month of receiving clearance, stressing that although reopening after more than 1,200 days without flights—and following two years of pandemic disruptions—would require significant work, the facility has been maintained in a state of readiness. Khyzhnyak’s assurance contrasts with O’Leary’s frustration over what he deems a lack of commercial dialogue, highlighting a disconnect between airline and airport stakeholders. As Ryanair prepares to expand its network, including planned returns to the three Ukrainian cities, the outcome of these discussions will shape passenger volumes and the pace of Ukraine’s aviation recovery. With revenues up 4 percent to €13.95 billion in the last financial year, Ryanair is well positioned to lead the post-conflict resurgence in Ukrainian air travel, provided airports adjust their pricing strategies to support—rather than hinder—renewed connectivity. If airports heed O’Leary’s call for discounted charges and proactive partnerships, they could accelerate economic rebuilding by unlocking millions of passenger journeys that link Ukraine to Europe and beyond.

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