An improved first half financial performance has been delivered by easyJet with winter losses cut by more than 13%.
The airline reported pre-tax losses of £53 million for the six months to March 31 from £61 million.
Total revenue per seat increased by 1.5% to £54.80 driven, in part, by a number of digital and revenue management initiatives, increased average sector length and allocated seating.
The budget carrier carried a record 12 million business passengers in the 12 months to March 31.
Capacity is to rise by 6.7% this summer, with a third of this coming from the acquisition of Flybe slots at Gatwick. EasyJet said 51% of seats have been booked for the second half of the year.
Chief executive Carolyn McCall said: “EasyJet has delivered a solid first half performance despite the less benign capacity environment.
“The results reflect our ongoing progress against our strategic priorities, and demonstrate the structural advantage easyJet has against both legacy and low-cost competition in the European short-haul market.
“By continuing to deliver our strategy of offering customers lower fares to great destinations with friendly service while focusing upon costs, we can continue to deliver sustainable growth and returns for our shareholders.”
She added: “There continue to be a number of attractive opportunities for easyJet to grow profitably in Europe and we look forward to making further progress in the second half of the year.”
The airline launched new bases in Naples, its third in Italy, and Hamburg, its second in Germany, bringing the total number to 24.