CAPA · 01:30
There have been contrasting items of news concerning Europe's two largest low cost airlines in recent days. Ryanair has agreed a potentially very lucrative share option deal with group CEO Michael O'Leary, while easyJet has rejected three proposals from US private credit firm Castlelake. As at 23-Jun-2026 Ryanair's share price is up by 14.5% over the past 12 months and up by 59.5% over the past five years. By contrast, easyJet's is up by 4.5% over the past 12 months (boosted by Castlelake's recent interest), but down by 44.5% over the past five years. This report compares the development over the past two and a half decades of Ryanair and easyJet on passenger numbers, revenue per passenger and operating profit margin. Ultimately, Ryanair's more cost-focused business model has given it the stronger track record. EasyJet's recent news has been sparked by the underperformance of its shares, while Ryanair's news reflects its share price strength, both past and anticipated.
CAPA · 06:13
The latest developments in the Qatar Airways - Virgin Australia partnership point to a relationship that remains strategically important, but has just been stress-tested by external disruption. Latest developments: Virgin Australia's Qatar-operated Australia-Doha services were suspended in early Apr-2026 until at least mid Jun-2026 due to the security situation in the Middle East. Virgin Australia later said the Doha operation, run via a wet lease with Qatar Airways, minimised balance sheet and earnings risk, and was therefore not financially material to the group during the suspension. The partnership has since moved back into recovery mode, with Virgin Australia's Melbourne-Doha service resuming on 15-Jun-2026, operated by Qatar Airways. Separately, Qatar Airways Group stated in its FY2026 highlights that it had launched a JV with Virgin Australia, signalling that the relationship is broadening beyond a simple codeshare or wet-lease arrangement.