Cheap flights may not stay cheap for much longer, at least according to Michael O'Leary. The Ryanair boss has warned that if jet fuel stays at current levels, summer 2027 airfares could climb by 15 to 20 per cent.

Speaking in an interview with Reuters, O'Leary said demand for air travel remains strong, but that low fares can't survive alongside today's oil prices. He was broadly upbeat about the airline's future, though he flagged political uncertainty — including the US midterm elections in November — as a short-term wildcard, and said he'd like to see resolutions to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East before everyone gets "back to peace, love and air travel".

The warning came at a press conference in Warsaw, where Ryanair also announced a sizeable expansion in Poland. The airline is basing three more aircraft at Warsaw-Modlin airport, taking its fleet there to nine planes as part of a $300 million investment built around an expected doubling of passenger numbers. A further 18 flights will be added from Modlin and Warsaw Chopin airports over the winter season, and Poland is in the running for a new engine maintenance facility, with a decision due by the end of the year.

There was also news on Ryanair's long-running Boeing saga. The US Federal Aviation Administration has delayed certifying the 737 MAX 10 yet again, this time because of a newly disclosed software issue. O'Leary said he hopes the delay is "a matter of days, not weeks or months", and expects the first 15 MAX 10s to arrive in spring 2027. Despite the setback, he sounded satisfied with the 29 Boeing aircraft delivered over the summer, noting real progress on quality and production at the planemaker. Ryanair is Boeing's largest European customer.

For holidaymakers, the takeaway is simple: if you're eyeing a big summer trip in 2027, fares are unlikely to get cheaper the longer you wait if fuel costs hold. Budget airlines have already been nudging prices up, and O'Leary's comments suggest that trend could accelerate. Booking early, flying midweek and keeping an eye on alternative airports — exactly the kind of expansion Ryanair is funding in Poland — remain the best levers for keeping costs down.

The Polish expansion is good news for travellers in central Europe regardless, adding winter routes and capacity at a base that's often cheaper than flying from Western European hubs.