The heatwave in Ireland and the UK has hit Ryanair’s annual forecast, with the company admitting there has been a decline in bookings in Ireland and most of the UK as people stay at home.

The value of Ryanair increased by more than €600m in one day’s trading yesterday after the company reported stronger than expected results.

Ryanair has announced record annual profits of €569m for the year ending March 31.

BILLIONAIRE entrepreneur Richard Branson has praised Ryanair as an “aviation pioneer” in his new book on global aviation history, Reach For The Skies.

RYANAIR yesterday attacked Irish airports saying they are not offering any incentives for the airline to increase flights in Ireland.

RYANAIR chief Michael O’Leary has secured nearly €20 million through the sale of five million shares in the company.

RYANAIR shares soared yesterday after the airline announced better-than-expected third quarter results with losses of almost €11 million.

RYANAIR plans to increase fares and is also prepared to consider offers for its Aer Lingus stake as it attempts to restructure its finances.

Ryanair has today announced that it has awarded mandates to a syndicate of banks for approximately $1.6bn (€1.87) of financing for 55 aircraft delivering between November 2009 and October 2010.

RYANAIR is not planning on cutting any flights from Cork Airport but said it could grow at Kerry and Knock because of low charges at those airports.

RYANAIR’S shares plunged more than 8% yesterday after the airline warned full-year profits are likely to be lower than previously forecast.

RYANAIR’S chief financial officer has said plans for the airline to operate long-haul flights is on hold for the moment but it could use a takeover of Aer Lingus for such an expansion.

A consumer watchdog said it was “staggered” by moves by Ryanair to cancel bookings made through price comparison websites.

The Iseq index of shares has had a torrid morning after it fell 119.14 points to 9,844.30 by 11.30am.

Ryanair's deputy chief executive Howard Millar has said Ryanair is unlikely to be successful in its proposed bid for Aer Lingus.

Ryanair will begin trading on the NASDAQ securities exchange on Wednesday.

RYANAIR has boosted its fleet through the €0.5 billion acquisition of 10 new aircraft from Boeing.

RYANAIR shrugged off a doubling in fuel prices to report record interim profits yesterday.

International magazine Aviation Week has ranked Ryanair as the ‘top-performing medium airline’ in the world.

Ian Guider

Ian Guider

RYANAIR yesterday sold off 20 aircraft that were more than 20 years old €8.1 million.

Ryanair today announced it had sold its fleet of 20 Boeing 737-200 aircraft to Autodirect Aviation, including spare engines and parts for a total consideration of $10m (€8.15m).

Ryanair has filed documents at the High Court in London alleging monopoly abuse of fuel levies by BAA plc, the dominant operators of London airports and owners of London Stansted Airport.

Ryanair has entered into a sale and leaseback agreement for up to 10 Boeing 737-800 next generation aircraft with RBS Aviation Capital a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Scotland.

Ryanair is warning that easyJet will suffer when British Airways unleashes its new short-haul strategy for Gatwick.