EasyJet has reported third quarter profits before tax of £203 million – £317 million more than the same period last year – following continued “strong demand” for its network and services, the carrier posted on Thursday (20 July).
Group earnings for the quarter ended 30 June totalled £2.36 billion, largely driven by passenger revenue (£1.5 billion). Revenue for airline ancillaries increased 28 per cent year on year to £622 million, while EasyJet Holidays saw revenue for the quarter increase 104 per cent to £237 million.
Capacity increased five per cent to 26.2 million seats compared to the same period last year, while revenue per seat increased 23 per cent year on year to £81 million and load factor increased two percentage points year on year to 90 per cent.
Despite high fuel costs and a “challenging” operating environment – where the recent threat of air traffic control strikes prompted the carrier to cancel 1,700 summer flights – EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said the group is “absolutely focused” on mitigating the impact of external forces and remains optimistic for the year’s final quarter.
“We continue to see good momentum as we move into Q4 where we will be operating over 160,000 flights and expect to deliver another record [profit before tax] performance,” he said.
“This winter we are adding more than 15 per cent capacity and we see bookings ahead of the same period last year,” he added.
The carrier currently has 163 aircraft on order for delivery through to 2028 and said it is looking to secure “additional firm order positions” as part of its longer term fleet plan.