<span>STORY: Ryanair’s profits rose 42% in the first six months of the year.</span><span>The budget airline reported revenue of $2.96 billion on Monday (Nov. 3), which exceeded forecasts.</span><span>That was much higher than the same period last year and above analysts’ projections.</span><span>Average rates also grew by 13% year-on-year.</span><span>Ryanair also raised its passenger traffic forecast on Monday.</span><span>It cited earlier-than-expected deliveries from Boeing and strong demand in the first half.</span><span>The airline said it cautiously expects to recoup all of last year’s 7% average fare drop in the financial year ending in March.</span><span>It further added that this should lead to what it called “reasonable” net profit growth for the full year.</span><span>Ryanair expects to carry 207 million passengers until the end of March, a million more than the previous forecast.</span><span>The rebound comes after the airline took delivery of 23 new MAX 8 aircraft from Boeing.</span><span>Ryanair said it was confident of receiving the remaining six MAX 8 aircraft from an order that had suffered major delays in February.</span><span>Shares fell more than 2% in early trading Monday. </span>
