Ryanair cuts forecast amid spat with travel agents

STORY: Ryanair cut its profit forecast on Monday (January 29) for the year to the end of March.The Irish airline made the update after some online travel agents stopped selling its flights in December.The move forced the budget carrier to cut fares to fill seats.Ryanair said it now expected an after-tax profit of up to $2.1 billion for the year to end-March. The figures were down from its November forecast, but would still beat its previous record. The airline said Christmas and New Year loads and yields were weaker than previously expected.It blamed lowering prices in response to the sudden removal of flights from certain websites in early December.Some online agents stopped selling the airline's flights following a number of court cases taken by Ryanair.The carrier accused the sites of adding illegitimate extra charges.But on Monday it said the impact of the travel agents' move was already beginning to "fizzle out."Separately Monday, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary told Boeing he could take over any orders for its MAX jets that are cancelled by U.S. airlines. Orders by carriers including United Airlines are in doubt following development delays and the midair blowout on one of the planes earlier this month.