empty seats?
passenger numbers for ryanair are how many people have booked is not adjusted for those who do not turn up. The large admin fee to change a flight will lead to people just making a new booking if they need to make a change. When people are unsure as to when they will fly they could book several possible dates at a few quid each instead of booking at last minute. The rise in passenger numbers is needed to keep the sharehoders happy. Many are based in the USA and only have the passanger numbers to go on.
They have over expanded trying to create 20%+ growth when the loads are not there. The 186 seats on each plane makes it hard to start up new routes as they often get going as 3x per week which then is not very flexable. It is getting harder as the best routes have already been developed.
It has been said that ryanair is to sell 45 planes over the next two years so that there will only be a small net rise.