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Ryanair passenger numbers down 83% in December

Ryanair carried 1.9 million passengers last month, down from 11.2 million in December 2019
Ryanair carried 1.9 million passengers last month, down from 11.2 million in December 2019

Ryanair's passenger figures slumped by 83% in December as Covid-19 restrictions continue to impact the aviation sector.

Ryanair said it carried 1.9 million passengers last month, down from 11.2 million in December 2019.

The airline said it operated about 22% of its normal December schedule with a 73% load factor.

In November, Ryanair posted a loss for its key summer period for the first time in 30 years as Covid-19 restrictions pulverized demand.

The airline also warned that it may only carry half its normal passenger numbers next year. 

Covid-19 restrictions cut Ryanair passenger numbers by 80% in the six months to September 30, the first half of its financial year and the period when it typically makes most of its annual profit, pushing it to a €197m loss. 

That was the first summer loss recorded by the airline since 1990. It recorded a profit of €1.15 billion the same time time last year. 

Ryanair did not give a profit guidance for the full-year.

But group chief executive Michael O'Leary said it was likely to post a deeper loss in the second half of the year, which would make it the airline's first annual loss since 2009.