Sir, – In the article “Ryanair cuts fares to maintain demand,” (May 18th), we read that Ryanair is lowering summer fares to attract more passengers, dismissing fears of a fuel shortage as “almost zero”. This optimism, however, applies only to the airline’s privileged position. While Ryanair has hedged 80 per cent of its fuel needs and sits on more than €2 billion in cash, a severe global fuel crisis is unfolding elsewhere.The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has created a shortage of fuel for essential needs worldwide. As fuel prices soar, energy poverty is spreading now, with food insecurity looming in the coming months. And yet again, it is the most vulnerable who are worst affected – those who have never been on an aeroplane and never will be.Yet Ryanair’s response is not to ground fleets or conserve more fuel, but rather to slash prices to keep the wealthy few flying. This is capitalism at its finest: extracting profit and maintaining “business as usual” at all costs while the rest of the world faces an unprecedented fuel crisis.We must choose: use this crisis to shift toward a truly sustainable, healthier and fairer society for all, or continue prioritising cheap holiday flights to the sun over human survival. – Yours, etc, Ola Løkken Nordrum,South Lotts Rd,Dublin,