The head of the low-cost airline highlighted the UK as the country most exposed to supply disruptions, given its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern fuel.

"Of all European countries, at the moment, the most vulnerable is the UK, due to the market share that the Kuwaitis have here," stated O'Leary, referring to the fact that the country imports a quarter of its jet fuel from Kuwait.

The instability in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil flows, has doubled fuel prices, putting the sector on high alert.

Although Ryanair has supply guarantees until mid-May, the situation during the peak holiday season remains uncertain. "If this continues until the end of April, we risk having supply problems at the beginning of June.

If it extends into May, then we don't know what on earth will happen, "the executive lamented in his usual direct style.

Faced with the threat of a 10% to 20% reduction in fuel reserves during the summer, the airline admits it will have no option but to adjust its operations.

"We and all other airlines will have to start considering cancelling some flights or reducing capacity," explained O'Leary, stressing that the company will not be able to surgically choose which routes to cut, being forced to react to fuel shortages at specific airports.

Despite this bleak outlook, which has already led Lufthansa to prepare to ground 40 aircraft and Korean Air to enter "emergency mode," Ryanair is, for now, maintaining its expansion plans.

The company announced five new routes from London to destinations such as Forli, Parma, Glasgow, Malmo, and Wroclaw, raising its annual target to 216 million passengers. However, the success of these plans will depend entirely on the evolution of the conflict and on the ability to keep tanks full during the peak-demand months.