EasyJet sees passenger numbers rise nearly 6%

Budget carrier EasyJet shrugged off fears sparked by recent terror attacks and air traffic control strikes as passenger numbers jumped last month.

The airline said it carried 6.9 million travellers in May, 5.7 per cent more than a year ago, despite last month’s Egypt Air crash and French air traffic control strikes which contributed to 173 cancellations in the period. However, the company said its load factor – a measure of how full its aircraft are – dipped slightly by 0.1 per cent to 91.5 per cent compared with 12 months ago.

Last month EasyJet posted half-year results which showed it had swung to a loss after recent terror attacks saw some passengers stay away.

It posted losses of £24 million for the six months to the end of March against profits of £7 million a year earlier. – (PA)