Deutsche Bank Upholds Buy as Ryanair Stock Jumps 60.9% and Forecasts 207M Passengers
Deutsche Bank maintained a Buy rating for Ryanair, citing a 60.9% annual stock gain and strategic debt reduction plus fleet upgrades that strengthened its market position. The carrier projects passenger traffic will exceed 207 million in fiscal 2026 and has upwardly revised earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026.
1. Deutsche Bank Maintains Buy Rating
On January 15, 2026, Deutsche Bank affirmed its Buy rating on RYAAY, underscoring the airline’s robust share performance, which has climbed 60.9% over the past year. The broker highlighted Ryanair’s position as a leading low-cost carrier in Europe, citing its ability to capture rising leisure and business travel demand while maintaining disciplined cost controls.
2. Stock Performance Outpaces Industry
RYAAY has significantly outperformed the broader airline sector, whose average return over the same period stands at 14.7%. This advantage has been fueled by record passenger volumes—up 13% year-on-year—and the phased introduction of next-generation aircraft, which offer 5% lower fuel burn per seat. These factors have contributed to elevated load factors, now exceeding 95%, reinforcing investor confidence in the name.
3. Strategic Balance Sheet Strengthening and Fleet Expansion
Management continues to prioritize debt reduction, having lowered net debt by €1.2 billion in the past twelve months. This deleveraging complements an ongoing fleet renewal program, under which Ryanair has firm orders for 220 Boeing 737 MAX jets through 2028. The combined effect is expected to yield annual maintenance and financing savings of approximately €200 million, bolstering profitability and cash flow generation.
4. Decision on In-Flight Connectivity
RYAAY has decided against fitting its aircraft with Starlink satellite internet, citing incremental fuel costs from additional drag and the relatively short average flight duration of 90 minutes. The company noted that the marginal revenue potential from connectivity services would not justify the projected 1–2% increase in fuel consumption, reaffirming its focus on cost leadership rather than ancillary service upsells.