DUBLIN, Jan 29 Reuters Ryanair on Monday trimmed its profit forecast for the year to the end of March after some online travel agents stopped selling its flights in December, forcing it to cut fares to fill seats.

Europe39;s largest airline by passenger numbers said it expected an aftertax profit of between 1.85 billion and 1.95 billion euros 2 billion to 2.1 billion for the year to endMarch, down from its November forecast of 1.85 billion and 2.05 billion euros.

That would still beat its previous record annual aftertax profit of 1.45 billion euros in 2018.

While traffic and fares were ahead of prior year, closein ChristmasNew Year loads and yields were softer than previously expected as Ryanair lowered prices in response to the sudden but welcome removal of flights from OTA online travel agent Pirate websites in early Dec, Ryanair said in a statement.

Some online travel agents, which Ryanair accused of adding illegitimate extra charges, in December stopped selling the airline39;s flights following a number of court cases taken by Ryanair.

Ryanair said the sudden decision could have some impact on yields per passenger in the first three months of 2024.

Chief Financial Officer Neil Sorahan on Monday told Reuters the impact of the travel agents39; move was already beginning to fizzle out.

As a result of lower load factors and higher productivity pay agreed with staff, it said it now expected fullyear exfuel unit costs to rise by around 2.50 euros.

The lowcost…