Ryanair clears €1.2bn bond, now effectively debt free

Ryanair Holdings reports that it has repaid its last €1.2 billion bond, leaving the group effectively debt free for the first time since its 1997 flotation.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Ryanair Holdings reports that it has repaid its last €1.2 billion bond, leaving the group effectively debt free for the first time since its 1997 flotation. The airline now operates an unencumbered fleet of 620 Boeing 737 aircraft, meaning its planes are not pledged against borrowings.

Management highlights a "fortress balance sheet" supported by strong liquidity and BBB+ credit ratings from both Fitch Ratings and S&P. Ryanair plans to grow annual passenger traffic to 300 million by FY34 and expects to take up to 50 Boeing MAX-10 deliveries each year from 2029 onward, while noting that forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.

Positive

• Final €1.2bn bond repaid, effectively debt free: Eliminating the last €1.2 billion bond leaves Ryanair effectively debt free with an unencumbered fleet, significantly reducing balance sheet leverage and financial risk.
• Strong credit profile and liquidity: The company highlights a "fortress balance sheet" with BBB+ ratings from both Fitch and S&P and strong liquidity, supporting future funding flexibility and growth plans.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Airline credit and capital structure analyst

Repaying the last €1.2bn bond strengthens Ryanair’s balance sheet and financial flexibility.

Ryanair has repaid its final €1.2 billion bond, becoming effectively debt free with an unencumbered fleet of 620 Boeing 737 aircraft. This materially reduces financial risk by eliminating scheduled debt repayments and collateralised assets.

The group also cites BBB+ ratings from Fitch and S&P and strong liquidity, which together support access to funding when needed. Management links this position to competitive advantages versus peers carrying expensive long-term debt and leases, though actual outcomes will depend on market conditions and competition.

Ryanair signals an ambition to grow traffic to 300 million passengers per year by FY34 and to take up to 50 Boeing MAX-10 aircraft annually from 2029. Subsequent disclosures will be important to track how fleet deliveries, demand, and macro risks affect this deleveraged position over time.

Key Figures

Final bond repaid: €1.2 billion Fleet size: 620 Boeing 737 aircraft Credit ratings: BBB+ from Fitch and S&P +2 more

5 metrics

Final bond repaid €1.2 billion Last remaining bond repaid on 25 May 2026

Fleet size 620 Boeing 737 aircraft Unencumbered fleet after debt repayment

Credit ratings BBB+ from Fitch and S&P Investment-grade ratings supporting balance sheet strength

Passenger growth target 300 million passengers per annum Target by FY34 mentioned by management

Future aircraft deliveries Up to 50 Boeing MAX-10 annually Planned from 2029 onward

Key Terms

fortress balance sheet, unencumbered, forward looking statements, liquidity, +2 more

6 terms

fortress balance sheet financial

"Our fortress balance sheet is underpinned by an unencumbered B737 fleet"

unencumbered financial

"leaving it with an unencumbered fleet of 620 B737 aircraft"

forward looking statements regulatory

"Certain of the information included in this release is forward looking"

Statements about a company’s expected future performance, plans, goals, or projections that are not historical facts and involve assumptions and estimates. Investors care because these are predictions that guide decisions but can be wrong; like a weather forecast, they help set expectations and risk — if circumstances change, actual results may differ significantly, so investors should weigh them alongside hard data and risk factors.

liquidity financial

"solid ratings (BBB+) from both Fitch Ratings and S&P and strong liquidity"

Liquidity is how easily and quickly an asset or investment can be converted into cash without losing value. It matters to investors because higher liquidity means they can access their money quickly if needed, while lower liquidity can make it harder to sell assets promptly or at a fair price, potentially creating financial challenges. Think of it like trying to sell a common item versus a rare collectible—it's much easier to sell the common item fast.

BBB+ financial

"solid ratings (BBB+) from both Fitch Ratings and S&P"

bond markets financial

"We look forward to (opportunistically) revisiting the bond markets at some stage"

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What major financial step did Ryanair (RYAAY) announce in this 6-K?

Ryanair announced it has repaid its last €1.2 billion bond, leaving the group effectively debt free. This is the first time since its 1997 flotation that all debt has been repaid, simplifying the capital structure and reducing financial risk.

How many aircraft does Ryanair (RYAAY) operate on an unencumbered basis now?

Ryanair now has an unencumbered fleet of 620 Boeing 737 aircraft, meaning these planes are not pledged as collateral. This increases financial flexibility because the fleet can support future financing or remain fully owned as market conditions evolve.

What credit ratings does Ryanair (RYAAY) currently highlight?

Ryanair cites solid BBB+ ratings from both Fitch Ratings and S&P. These investment-grade ratings, combined with strong liquidity, support the company’s description of a "fortress balance sheet" and may help maintain diversified access to capital markets if needed.

What long-term traffic growth target does Ryanair (RYAAY) mention?

Ryanair aims to grow passenger traffic to 300 million per annum by FY34. This target is presented alongside its deleveraged balance sheet and fleet plans, but management notes that forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.

What are Ryanair’s (RYAAY) future fleet delivery plans mentioned here?

Ryanair expects to take up to 50 Boeing MAX-10 aircraft annually from 2029 onward. These deliveries are intended to support long-term traffic growth, although the release notes that aircraft availability, delivery delays and broader risks could affect actual outcomes.

What key risks to Ryanair’s (RYAAY) outlook are highlighted?

The company lists many risks, including airline pricing, fuel costs, competition, regulatory actions, aircraft availability, labour relations, macroeconomic conditions, currency and interest rates, geopolitical tensions, pandemics, and security events. Any of these could materially affect results and its share price.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

Form 6-K: How Foreign Companies Report to the SEC →

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 05/26/2026 - 06:52 AM Learn about SEC filing dates

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of May 2026

RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

c/o Ryanair Ltd Corporate Head Office

Dublin Airport

County Dublin Ireland

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual

reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information

contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the

Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange

Act of 1934.

Yes   No ..X..

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant

in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________

RYANAIR NOW DEBT FREE AS LAST €1.2 BILLION BOND IS REPAID TODAY

Ryanair, today (25 May), repaid its last €1.2 billion bond leaving the Ryanair Group effectively debt free as it faces into a challenging summer of growth, at low fares.  This is the first time since Ryanair floated in 1997 that the airline has repaid all the debt, leaving it with an unencumbered fleet of 620 B737 aircraft.

Ryanair Group CFO, Neil Sorahan, said:

"Today is a historic day for Ryanair as our Group, following repayment of our final €1.2bn bond, is now effectively debt free.  Our fortress balance sheet is underpinned by an unencumbered B737 fleet of 620 aircraft, solid ratings (BBB+) from both Fitch Ratings and S&P and strong liquidity.  This financial strength further widens the cost gap between Ryanair and our competitors, many of whom are exposed to expensive (long-term) debt and aircraft leases and will enable Ryanair to continue to grow traffic at much lower fares than our competitors, bringing even more value to consumers all over Europe.

We raised this last remaining €1.2bn bond during the Covid crisis and we wish to sincerely thank our bond holders for their strong support over many years.  We look forward to (opportunistically) revisiting the bond markets at some stage in the future as we grow passenger traffic to 300m p.a. by FY34 and take up to 50 Boeing MAX-10 deliveries annually from 2029 onward."

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Jamie Donovan, Head of Investor Relations, Ryanair Holdings plc, Ph: +353-1-9451212

Ryanair Holdings plc, Europe's largest airline group, is the parent company of Buzz, Lauda, Malta Air, Ryanair & Ryanair UK. Carrying c.216m guests p.a. on approx. 3,800 daily flights from 95 bases, the Group connects over 220 airports in 36 countries on a fleet of almost 650 aircraft, and 300 new Boeing 737s on order, which will enable the Ryanair Group to grow traffic to 300m p.a. by FY34. Ryanair has a team of 30,000 aviation professionals delivering Europe's No.1 operational performance, and an industry leading 41-year safety record. Ryanair is one of the most efficient major EU airlines. With a young fleet and high load factors, Ryanair targets 50grams of CO₂ per pax/km by 2031 (a 27% reduction).

Certain of the information included in this release is forward looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the price of Ryanair's securities. Forward looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Ryanair has no obligation to update any forward looking statements contained in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. It is not reasonably possible to itemise all of the many factors and specific events that could affect the outlook and results of an airline operating in the European economy and the price of its securities. Among the factors that are subject to change and could significantly impact Ryanair's expected results and the price of its securities are the airline pricing environment, fuel costs, competition from new and existing carriers, market prices for the maintenance and replacement of aircraft, costs associated with environmental, safety and security measures, actions of the Irish, U.K., European Union ("EU") and other governments and their respective regulatory agencies, litigation, post-Brexit uncertainties, changes in the structure of the European Union, any further change in the restrictions on the ownership of Ryanair's ordinary shares and the voting rights of its shareholders and ADR holders, including as a result of regulatory changes or the actions of Ryanair itself, weather related disruptions, ATC strikes and staffing related disruptions, aircraft availability and delays in the delivery of contracted aircraft, dependence on external service providers and key personnel, supply chain disruptions, tariffs, fluctuations in corporate tax rates, currency exchange rates and interest rates, airport access and charges, labour relations, the economic environment of the airline industry, the general economic environment in Ireland, the U.K. and Continental Europe, continued acceptance of low fares airlines, the general willingness of passengers to travel, war, geopolitical uncertainty and other economic, social and political factors, significant outbreaks of airborne disease and global pandemics such as Covid-19 and unforeseen security events, terrorist attacks and cyber-attacks. There may be other risks and uncertainties that Ryanair is unable to predict at this time or that Ryanair currently does not expect to have a material adverse effect on its business.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC

Date: 26 May, 2026

By:___/s/ Juliusz Komorek____

Juliusz Komorek

Company Secreta