Flybe reported a positive start to the year with sustained passenger and revenue growth, as it continues the next chapter of its transformation.
A return to growth delivered in the previous quarter continued in the first quarter of the regional carrier’s 2015-16 financial year.
Passenger carryings rose by 9.8% to 2.1 million as capacity increased by 12.3% to 2.8 million seats in the three months to June 30.
Passenger revenue in the quarter was up by 11.6% to £147.7 million despite a 1.6% drop in revenue per seat to £52.12.
The airline has added 30 new routes for this summer including nine from Cardiff and nine from Bournemouth.
This has led to a 16% increase in capacity and an 11% rise in passenger revenue in the current quarter, with 47% of seats sold against 50% in the same period in 2014.
Saad Hammad, chief executive, said: “As we enter the next phase of our transformation, Flybe has again delivered revenue and passenger growth in the quarter, demonstrating the strength of our core business.
“We carried significantly more customers than the same time last year and maintained our industry-leading punctuality levels.”
He added that the airline remained focused on offloading surplus E195 jets and was “actively pursuing a range of solutions”.