EasyJet sees small rise in winter bookings while posting strong set of full-year figures

EasyJet said it has seen a small rise in winter bookings while posting a strong set of full-year figures.

The budget airline, the second largest in Europe behind Irish carrier Ryanair, has been busy setting itself apart from rivals by improving its service and offering more ‘frills’ such as allocated seats.

Shares in the firm fell 19p to 1525p despite sales rising to £4.5bn for the year to the end of September, up from £4.2bn.

Improving: Shares in the firm fell 19p to 1525p despite sales rising to £4.5bn for the year to the end of September

Pre-tax profit rose to £581m from £478m as EasyJet took the axe to costs offsetting a rise in airport charges.

The orange airline lifted its dividend by 35.5 per cent to 45.4p a share.

EasyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall said: ‘EasyJet has opened up clear blue sky between us and our competitors – both legacy and low cost –connecting Europe’s primary airports, with great value fares and friendly service.’

During the year it opened new bases at Hamburg and Naples and plans new bases at Amsterdam and Porto.

It also exercised the right to order 35 Airbus A320 aircraft.

Stephen Furlong at broker Davy said: ‘EasyJet expects to grow capacity, measured in seats flown, by around 3.5 per centc in the first half of the year and by around 5 per cent for the full year.

‘Forward bookings for the first half of the 2015 financial year are slightly ahead of the prior year.

‘EasyJet continues to invest in its network and, in particular, is growing capacity at London Gatwick, driven by the purchase of the Flybe slots, by around 10 per cent in the first half of the year.’