Ryanair profits reach new heights

RYANAIR profits are expected to jump by more than 42% when the low cost carrier announced first quarter returns next Tuesday.

The harp as opposed to flag-carrier seems certain to build on its phenomenal growth of recent years. Analysts are forecasting a 42% increase in after tax profit to 33 million compared with 23.2 million for the same period last year.

The no-frills carrier is the most profitable airline in Europe but is no longer the biggest budget airline after Easyjet’s buyout of Go earlier this year. Always master of its own PR, the airline has said it will carry 365,000 passengers this bank holiday weekend, a jump of 45% over last year’s figures.