EasyJet ups profit forecasts after record August
EasyJet has upped its full-year profit forecasts after a record month in August.
The budget carrier said "strong summer trading" had pushed both passenger numbers and the load factor - a measure of how full its planes are - to all-time highs last month.
More than 7 million customers flew with the airline while only 5.6% of seats went unoccupied.
The performance has more than offset costs incurred earlier in the year, including those associated with strike action and two fires at Rome's Fiumicino airport, the company said.
Full-year profit before tax is now expected to be in the region of £675 million to £700 million, compared to previous guidance for £620 million to £660 million.
"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," said chief executive Carolyn McCall.
The results follow a similar update from rival Ryanair yesterday, which also saw Michael O'Leary's airline report record numbers.
The Dublin-based airline revealed it flew 10.4 million passengers last month, 10% higher than the same month last year.