New routes boost easyJet growth

Airline easyJet flew more than 2.5 million passengers in May as additional services continued to fuel its growth, it emerged today.

The low-cost operator said it carried 22% more people than a year earlier, while its planes were closer to capacity with a load factor of 84.1%.

EasyJet has benefited from a number of new routes, including its recent decision to introduce a second base in Switzerland, at Basle.

It also took hold of its 100th aircraft while it flew its 100 millionth passenger – a grandmother on her way to Malaga with her family.

Chief executive Ray Webster described May as “another month of innovation and achievement” after the company also expanded its systems to allow up to 40 passengers to be reserved in a single online booking.

He added the group stuck by its recent financial guidance, which was for high oil costs to push pre-tax profits below the level of 2004. Revenues per seat were likely to be unchanged in the year to September, it added.

Last month, easyJet said half-year losses widened to £31m (€46.1m) after fuel costs leapt by 51% over the past 12 months. It added that it launched 40 routes in the period, as well as commenced flights to 14 new airports.