Ryanair returns to spring profit but warns of autumn Covid risks

Airline's chief says possibility of new coronavirus variant means it cannot forecast profit for rest of year

Ryanair has made its first spring profits since before the coronavirus pandemic as passenger numbers surpassed pre-Covid-19 levels, but warned of the risk of possible new virus variants in the autumn.

The Irish carrier made a profit before tax of 203m (173m) between April and June, compared with a steep 325m loss in the equivalent period a year earlier. It said passenger numbers had risen to 45.5 million, 9% more than in 2019.