Easyjet first-half revenues increase

BRITISH airline Easyjet signalled a rise in first-half revenues per passenger yesterday and said operating margins were steady, sending its shares almost 7% higher.

The company said the effect of the Easter break falling in the six months to end-March would boost its interim results due out on May 24.

"Trading conditions have remained stable in the first half with total revenue per passenger expected to increase by between 1% to 2% over the same period last year helped by Easter falling into the period," said chief executive Ray Webster in a statement.

The airline has expanded aggressively in the past 12 months and now flies to 60 airports. The firm said yesterday it expected passenger numbers to grow 24% in the half from a year earlier. Easyjet shares, which have gained 35% in the half to date, had risen 6.9% to 212 pence in morning trade.

The airline expected to have more than €865m of cash on the balance sheet at the half-year stage, he said.