Ryanair: Michael O'Leary's new cuddly approach is rewarded with 66% profit growth

Ryanair's FY2015 net profit jumped 66%, a return to profit growth after a rare dip in FY2014. It was helped by lower fuel prices, but, unlike many other European airlines, Ryanair would still have reported improved FY and 4Q results with no change in its average fuel cost per seat versus last year.

Average fares barely changed (up 1%), but load factor jumped to 88%, from 83% in FY2014, driving up revenue per seat, even in Q4 when average fares fell sharply. Ryanair's new customer service initiatives and improved airport network may not yet be attracting consistently higher fares, but they are persuading more passengers onto its aircraft. What's more, revenue per seat growth outpaced the resultant increase in cost per seat.

Ryanair is being cautious about fares into FY2016, but still expects another 10% growth in profit. Moreover, the combination of product and service improvements and a wide discount to competitor fares should benefit pricing in the longer term, even as further load factor gains become less dramatic.