Sunseekers boost Easyjet profits

Budget airline easyJet lifted its profit expectations today after a rise in the number of passengers travelling from the UK to beach destinations last month boosted sales.

A total of 4.8 million passengers travelled with easyJet in September, an increase of 8% compared to last year.

The airline said this would lift total revenues per seat in the fourth quarter by at least 6%, reflecting demand for “UK to European beach and city routes”.

The group increased its profit hopes for the year to September 30 to “slightly ahead” of £150m (€172m), which was the top end of its previous forecast of £100m to £150m.

The financial impact of the volcanic ash cloud disruption earlier this year has also been slightly downgraded from £65m to £60m, as the overall picture of compensation claims paid out by the airline becomes clearer.

But this was offset by £6m of compensation costs caused by air traffic controller strikes in France, Spain and Greece in September.

The robust performance follows a similarly positive set of figures from British Airways, signalling an upturn for the embattled air travel industry.

Carolyn McCall, easyJet chief executive, hailed the group’s performance but urged governments to step up pressure on air traffic controllers to end ongoing strike action.