Ryanair Holdings PLC (NASDAQ:RYAAY), Europe’s largest low-cost airline by passenger numbers, stock fell 1.45% (As on January 27, 11:20:03 AM UTC-4, Source: Google Finance) after the company reported a third-quarter profit of €30 million after exceptional items, down sharply from €149 million a year earlier. The airline said the drop followed an €85 million charge related to a fine imposed by Italy’s competition authority. The low-cost carrier said profit before exceptional items fell 22% to €115 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with €149 million a year earlier. The exceptional charge represents about 33% of a €256 million fine levied in late December by Italy’s antitrust authority, AGCM. The airline said gross cash stood at €2.4 billion at the end of December, after €1.2 billion in debt repayments, €1.4 billion in capital expenditure and €0.6 billion in shareholder distributions. Net cash was reported at about €1 billion. Overall, Ryanair posted higher revenue, stronger ARPU, rising passenger numbers, and positive fare momentum in Q3 FY26, reaffirmed full-year guidance, but year-over-year profit declined due to exceptional charges. Ryanair said fuel for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 was 84% hedged at $77 per barrel, and that 80% of fuel requirements for fiscal 2027 were hedged at about $67 per barrel. The airline reported a fleet of 643 aircraft at Dec. 31, including 206 Boeing 737-8200 aircraft.

Revenue rose 9% to €3.21 billion, driven by higher passenger numbers and increased fares. Passenger traffic grew 6% to 47.5 million, while the average fare rose 4% to €44. Load factor was unchanged at 92%. Scheduled revenue increased 10% to €2.10 billion and ancillary revenue rose 7% to €1.11 billion. Operating costs before exceptional items increased 6% to €3.11 billion. Fuel and oil costs rose to €1.26 billion, staff costs increased to €451 million, and airport and handling charges climbed to €403 million. Route charges rose to €311 million, while depreciation increased to €326 million during the quarter. Ryanair said the absence of delivery delay compensation during the quarter contributed to a decline in other income compared with the prior year. Net finance and other income totaled €9 million, down from €90.2 million a year earlier. Revenue per passenger rose ~3%, driven by a 4% increase in average fares and modest ancillary revenue growth. Total passengers reached 47.5 million, up 6% year over year.

The airline reaffirmed full-year guidance of ~208 million passengers and pre-exceptional profit after tax of €2.1–2.2 billion.