easyJet Post Higher Profit Forecast

easyJet has increased its full-year profit forecast following better-than-expected trading in August.

The company's full-year profit, before tax, is now expected to be between £675m and £700m, as opposed to the previously expected £620m to £660m.

The figures come after the airline set a new load factor of 94.4% for the month of August. Passenger numbers for the month were 7.06 million. It was also the second successive month of over seven million passengers for easyJet.

easyJet said its strong revenue performance had more than offset the "significant" costs faced this year, including the impact of the two fires at Rome Fiumicino airport, a one-off £8m settlement with Eurocontrol and costs associated with higher load factors.

Commenting on the performance, Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive, easyJet, said: "These figures demonstrate the strength of easyJet – with its strong customer focus and its unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe's primary airports, with great value fares, friendly service and industry leading digital innovations.

"This platform meant that easyJet was best placed to maximise the strong late summer demand from UK passengers to get away to beach and city destinations across Europe and will enable the airline to set new records for full year revenue and profit."

(JP)