Budget airline EasyJet said today it expected to carry 24 per cent more passengers than a year ago as its European expansion pays off.
EasyJet, which will announce results for the six months to the end of March in May, said it was winning the battle to shield its profits from soaring fuel prices.
Shares in the carrier rose 5 per cent after investors expressed relief that operating margins during the six months to March 31st would be broadly in line with last year.
Chief executive Mr Ray Webster said: "The price of fuel remains high and volatile. In spite of this, operating margins for the period are expected to be broadly in line with last year."
Oil is 50 per cent more expensive than a year ago, and the past six months have seen the cost of crude set a string of new records, culminating in a high of above 57 US dollars a barrel.