Budget airline sees passenger numbers soar
Low-cost airline easyJet carried 2.24 million passengers during June – a 28% increase on the same period a year earlier, figures showed today.
The improvement, which the company said was in line with the performance seen in the previous month, came amid a tough market for discount airlines.
Last month, easyJet saw its share price tumble after warning that its profits had been affected by unprofitable and unrealistic pricing in the sector. High oil prices have also put pressure on the Luton-based business.
In today’s monthly statistics, easyJet said the percentage of available passenger seats being taken was 86% in June – the same figure as a year earlier but slightly ahead of the 84% for the last 12 months.
For the year to the end of June, easyJet said it carried 22.9 million passengers and generated revenues of £1.03bn (€1.5bn) – a 21% improvement on the figures seen a year earlier.
Chief executive Ray Webster said: “These figures are in line with our statement in June. We continue to capitalise on our market and financial strengths.”
He added the airline had been boosted by the launch of new services to Cologne in Germany and the announcement that it would base a further three new aircraft at Berlin, bringing the total in that city to nine. It has also added five new routes from London Gatwick.
A month before the June profits warning, easyJet shares sank nearly 22% after warning that its full-year figures could fall short of expectations.
Fellow budget airline Ryanair also blamed competition, the Iraq war, a weaker pound, higher oil prices and the threat of terrorist attacks for the first fall in net profits since it floated.
Despite the tough market, easyJet has pledged to continue to expand its network, as well as maintain its UK market-leading position and maximise cost efficiency through economies of scale.
