European travel and leisure stocks fall on US-Iran tension

Ryanair Holdings

20/04/2026 08:14

** European travel and leisure stocks fall sharply, under pressure from rising fuel costs and heightened geopolitical risk, adding to broader risk-off tone across European equities

** Brent crude LCOc1 up over 5% on fears that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran could collapse after the U.S. seized an Iranian cargo ship, while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz stayed largely halted

** Airlines Lufthansa LHAG.DE, EasyJet EZJ.L, ICAG ICAG.L, Ryanair RYA.I, Air France KLM AIRF.PA, Wizz Air WIZZ.L down around 3-5%

** Tour operators and cruise firms TUI TUI1n.DE, Carnival CCL.L down 3.8 and 2.8%, respectively

** Sector vulnerable to sustained higher oil prices, with traders pricing in margin pressure and disruption to travel

** STOXX Travel & Leisure index .SXTP top faller among European sectors, down 2.1%, extending YTD losses beyond 5%

(Reporting by Danilo Masoni)

((Danilo.Masoni@tr.com; Reuters Messaging: danilo.masoni.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net/))