EasyJet profits soar

Profits at low-cost airline easyJet climbed to a record £317m (€248.2m) today as higher sales offset a further £182m (€142.5m) surge in fuel costs.

The group achieved the 28% rise in profits for the year to September 30 after it carried 58 million passengers - an improvement of 7% on a year earlier - and benefited from continuing cost-cutting efforts.