This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6145872.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Easyjet expands as profits soar | Easyjet expands as profits soar |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Easyjet has announced plans to expand its fleet as it unveiled a 56% rise in annual profits on the back of growing passenger numbers and new routes. | Easyjet has announced plans to expand its fleet as it unveiled a 56% rise in annual profits on the back of growing passenger numbers and new routes. |
| The low-cost carrier made a pre-tax profit of £129m ($245m) in the year to the end of September - despite a big increase in fuel costs. | The low-cost carrier made a pre-tax profit of £129m ($245m) in the year to the end of September - despite a big increase in fuel costs. |
| Passenger numbers for the year were up by 11.5% to 33 million people. | Passenger numbers for the year were up by 11.5% to 33 million people. |
| The airline said it was buying 52 new Airbus A319 jets, and had secured the option to buy up to 75 Airbus planes. | |
| Easyjet said this meant that it now had 104 aircraft on firm order with Airbus, with a list price of more than $4bn, and also held purchase rights over a further 123 aircraft. | Easyjet said this meant that it now had 104 aircraft on firm order with Airbus, with a list price of more than $4bn, and also held purchase rights over a further 123 aircraft. |
| The new A319 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2008 and 2010. | The new A319 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2008 and 2010. |
| Fuel costs | Fuel costs |
| Easyjet's current fleet has 122 planes, flying 282 routes on a network of 74 airports and 21 countries. | Easyjet's current fleet has 122 planes, flying 282 routes on a network of 74 airports and 21 countries. |
| Chief executive Andy Harrison stressed that the modernity of Easyjet's fleet - with an average age of 2.2 years - meant it produced about 30% less emissions per passenger kilometre than other traditional airlines flying similar routes. | Chief executive Andy Harrison stressed that the modernity of Easyjet's fleet - with an average age of 2.2 years - meant it produced about 30% less emissions per passenger kilometre than other traditional airlines flying similar routes. |
| The Airbus orders are further proof of Easyjet's ambitions Richard Hunter, Hargreaves Lansdown stockbrokers See Easyjet's share price | The Airbus orders are further proof of Easyjet's ambitions Richard Hunter, Hargreaves Lansdown stockbrokers See Easyjet's share price |
| "We welcome the Stern Review, which says that aviation accounts for just 1.6% of greenhouse gas emissions, and we have long campaigned to bring aviation into the European Emissions Trading System as soon as possible," he said. | "We welcome the Stern Review, which says that aviation accounts for just 1.6% of greenhouse gas emissions, and we have long campaigned to bring aviation into the European Emissions Trading System as soon as possible," he said. |
| Easyjet said that its fuel bill had increased by 33% over the past year - the equivalent to £2.48 for each seat on a flight. | Easyjet said that its fuel bill had increased by 33% over the past year - the equivalent to £2.48 for each seat on a flight. |
| Security alerts in August - when it had to cancel 469 flights - cost it about £4m. | Security alerts in August - when it had to cancel 469 flights - cost it about £4m. |
| The airline also said that it planned to expand capacity by about 15% next year. | The airline also said that it planned to expand capacity by about 15% next year. |
| Richard Hunter of Hargreaves Lansdown stockbrokers said Easyjet's results had been well-received. | Richard Hunter of Hargreaves Lansdown stockbrokers said Easyjet's results had been well-received. |
| "It appears that the spectre of soaring fuel prices has been contained, with the summer disruptions and even BA's entry into the low-cost space having limited impact," he said. | "It appears that the spectre of soaring fuel prices has been contained, with the summer disruptions and even BA's entry into the low-cost space having limited impact," he said. |
| "Aggressive cost reduction, increasing passenger numbers and improvements in ancillary revenues per seat have all contributed to the near 60% rise in profits. | "Aggressive cost reduction, increasing passenger numbers and improvements in ancillary revenues per seat have all contributed to the near 60% rise in profits. |
| "The Airbus orders are further proof of Easyjet's ambitions." | "The Airbus orders are further proof of Easyjet's ambitions." |