Ryanair passenger numbers up 19%

Ryanair carried 19 per cent more passengers in April with more than 4.1 million seats booked with the carrier.

However, load factor - the percentage of seats actually filled - fell 2 per cent to 83 per cent, which the company is blaming on a 21 per cent growth in capacity and increased airport charges at Dublin and Stansted airports.

Ryanair passenger numbers up 19% in April. Image: Alan Betson.

"Our April traffic growth of 19 per cent underlines the robust nature of the Ryanair lowest fare model during periods of softer market conditions," said chief executive Michael O'Leary.

He added that he expected the reduced load factor to continue throughout the first two quarters of the financial year.