Ryanair has confirmed it cancelled more than 800 flights in June due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, as regional instability continues to disrupt international air travel.
The cancellations come in the wake of ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran, as well as continued military activity in Gaza. Flight schedules across the region have faced widespread disruption, including temporary halts at Dubai International Airport last week, where passengers were warned to expect delays and further cancellations.
Despite the turmoil, Ryanair reported strong operational figures for the month. The airline said it still operated over 109,000 flights in June, with the conflict-related cancellations affecting less than 1% of its total schedule.
Passenger traffic remained robust, with Ryanair carrying 19.9 million passengers in June, marking a 3% increase compared to the same period last year. The airline’s load factor — a key industry metric reflecting the percentage of available seats filled — held steady at 95%.
Ryanair’s 12-month rolling total also showed solid performance, with 202.6 million passengers carried over the past year, up 7% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, rival budget carrier Wizz Air also posted strong June traffic figures despite regional challenges. The London-listed airline said it transported 5.88 million passengers during the month, a 10.8% increase compared to June 2024. Seat capacity for Wizz Air rose by 10.4% over the same period.
Over the past 12 months, Wizz Air has carried approximately 65 million passengers, representing a 4.7% year-on-year growth.
While both airlines continue to face operational hurdles linked to geopolitical tensions and airspace restrictions in the Middle East, their passenger numbers signal ongoing recovery and resilience in the low-cost aviation sector.
Airline industry analysts say the latest figures reflect a strong summer travel demand across Europe, though they caution that future growth could be tested by evolving security risks, fuel costs, and global economic uncertainties.
Both Ryanair and Wizz Air have yet to provide detailed updates on any further rerouting or schedule adjustments linked to the Middle East conflict, but passengers are being advised to monitor airline communications closely for any travel advisories or updates.
