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Ryanair is turning around employment. The airline has announced it has “slowed down hiring meaningfully” for new pilots, cabin crew and training courses, said Michael O’Leary. The Ryanair hiring slowdown in 2026 can have a different impact on those currently employed by Ryanair compared to those looking to be hired. This article details the implications that this split has for both.
Key Highlights on Ryanair Hiring Slowdown
- Fuel costs for Ryanair are expected to increase by approximately €2bn in FY2028.
- The airline is cutting back on hiring of pilots, cabin crew and training.
- Some labour agreements are coming to an end in March, and pay freezes are being proposed.
- The cost review will include lower crew ratios and increased use of AI.
- A multi-year pay agreement is already in place for 2027, according to Unite.
- The aircraft deliveries will drop from approximately 30 per year to 15 per year.
Why Ryanair Is Tightening Its Belt
Unless the Middle East conflict is resolved, jet fuel is likely to remain expensive well into 2027, Ryanair believes. It is also becoming less and less forested. Some 80% of fuel requirements until March are pegged at $67 a barrel, while some 25% of the fuel requirements for the next 12 months are covered at $95. Though the airline expects the fares to materially increase, it says that won’t make up for the added fuel expense. Passenger numbers increased by 5% to 64.5 million, while the profit after tax fell 6% to €1.61bn per quarter.
What It Means for New Applicants
Anyone looking to join will find the Ryanair recruitment plans tough. Fewer openings and increased competition for each opening will likely result from a slowdown in recruiting pilots and in hiring cabin crew. The Cadet and training courses are also being cut, and that’s as well for those who had in their plans for pilot career opportunities around the pipeline of the airline.
Growth in the fleet is a factor. New deliveries are decreasing, from about 30 planes per year now to about 15. That’s fewer aircraft, which means fewer crew requirements. A bigger effect might be felt on the wider aviation job market, too, as a carrier of Ryanair’s size has a strong influence on the employment market in Europe.
What It Means for Existing Employees
Current staff are not unaffected; however, their jobs are different. The company is also examining “maturing labour agreements”, which could include temporary pay freezes and reduced crew ratios. A number of pay offers are up for negotiation from March.
A multi-year agreement signed by Unite next year is performance-independent, and the union’s Oliver Richardson has responded to this. This paves the way for a potential dispute about the security of airline workers’ jobs and the specific terms of the current contracts. For those already working in the industry, issues of salaries, crew and roster sizes are primary concerns, rather than job availability.
The Role of AI
Ryanair is focused on productivity in both operations and back-office support with the help of AI. O’Leary said that it has already helped boost capacity by 4% and that it is more effective than people are at creating schedules for a 650-aircraft fleet. That suggests that planning and support roles in the airline industry may be the first to be affected in the future.
A Cost-Saving Fleet Upgrade
It’s not all about the squeeze! The Boeing 737 Max 10 is coming in January, offering roughly a fifth reduction in fuel consumption and 20% more seats. Bigger and more efficient planes allow the airline to transport more passengers in a single flight, thus avoiding the need for additional recruitment.
The Bottom Line
Current staff have limited pay and crew numbers, but have agreements they need to fight for. New applicants have a more restricted line of approach. Keep an eye on the talks between the parties in March and any union reaction.
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