08/02/2002

Easyjet enjoy rise in passenger numbers

Low-cost carrier Easyjet has revealed yet another rise in passenger numbers, as the latest figures show the airline's soaring popularity with passenger numbers up by over 30 per cent on the same time last year.

Figures for the firm's performance show that the airline carried 700,526 passengers during January 2002. Easyjet's load factor – which represents passengers as a proportion of available seats – also increased to 81.9 per cent from 74.3 per cent for January 2001.

Easyjet are currently implementing an aggressive strategy of expansion, having secured landing slots at Paris Orly airport, with a focus on increasing their presence in the French capital, as well as either Geneva or Zurich. The company has also placed an order for 75 more aircraft in order to expand the frequency of their services to existing Easyjet destinations.

The news is in line with the performance of other cut-price air carriers such as Ryanair, which recently released figures showing the company was enjoying unprecedented growth as a result of the aftermath of September 11, which saw big-name airlines hard hit be the slump in air traffic passengers, especially in the business travel sector.

(CL)

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