BUDGET airline Ryanair yesterday said a rush of bookings at higher prices in the past month would boost annual profits by at least £22m.

The Irish carrier refused to directly acknowledge the impact of the British Airways strikes but is emerging as a winner as travellers make alternative arrangements.

Ryanair has leased BA three aircraft in the past month as well as introducing “rescue fares” for those stranded by industrial action.

The firm said annual profits – covering the year to March 31 – would be at least £274.5m compared with previous guidance of £243.5m.. The airline said this was “as a result of somewhat stronger than expected passenger bookings, at better than expected yields, during late February and March in the run up to the Easter holiday weekend”.

The reversal of fortunes for Ryanair comes after it posted a £145.9m loss in the previous year.

Similar Posts:

• Petrochemicals – Mexico – Pemex posts Q1 petchem trade surplus of US$44.3mn
• UK, Germany Eye Possible Ash Travel Disruptions
• Iceland and Tinopolis join Sunday Times profit list
• Gov’t Data Show Solid Recovery But Concerns Remain
• It’s do-or-die time for TiVo
• Petrochemicals – Brazil – Chemicals trade deficit deepens to US$5bn in Q1 – Abiquim
• US stocks climb on upbeat earnings, economic reports
• Will Growth Keep The Stock Rally Going?
• Optimism as Lloyd’s posts lower than expected losses
• Infrastructure – Mexico – Tender due in March for Lázaro Cárdenas vehicle terminal