Easyjet passenger numbers and load factor up

UK-based budget airline EasyJet carried 1.7m passengers in December 2003.

This represented a 16% rise in the corresponding 2002 figure.

The airline also managed to increase its load factor - the number of seats occupied - to 80% from 77%.

Chief executive Ray Webster said today: "December was a good month. Our load factor was up strongly compared to the same period last year."

EasyJet, which bought smaller rival Go last year, is embarking on an expansion in Europe that will see it fly 11 routes from a new base at Berlin's Schonefeld airport.

Yesterday, rival low fares operator Ryanair reported passenger figures of 2m for December although there was a slight decrease in its load factor to 83% from 85%.

Analysts believe the airline industry will recover lost ground in 2004 after the Gulf War and SARS outbreak last year.