Passenger numbers are up for EasyJet as summer approaches

EasyJet yesterday announced a 7.2 per cent rise in passengers for May 2015, compared to May 2014.

 

The budget airline flew 6.4m passengers last month, compared to 6m the year before.

 

Its load factor, the average portion of capacity an airline has filled with travellers, was up to 91.2 per cent, from 89.4 per cent.

 

Passenger numbers were also up 6.1 per cent for the rolling twelve months to May, compared with the 12 months up to May 2014.

 

Last month the carrier announced a pre-tax profit of £7m for the six-month period ending on 31 March. 

 

It is trying to turn a corner after what boss Carolyn McCall called a “horrible month” in April, due to the French air traffic controllers’ strike.

 

EasyJet is preparing to retrofit its A320 aircraft next year, and will cram six extra seats into its cabins by summer 2018.

 

Shares in EasyJet ended the day up 0.63 per cent, at 1,592p a share.