Easyjet 'resilient' in downturn

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Budget airline Easyjet has said that non-UK holidaymakers taking advantage of the strong euro have left it "resilient" in the global downturn.

Rival airlines cutting capacity also helped to increase passenger numbers by 2.8% between April and June.

And Easyjet said revenue from extra charges - such as checked-in baggage and in-flight food - jumped 34%.

Though economic conditions remained "uncertain" it said it expected to see a 2009 profit of between £25m and £50m.

Total sales were up 12% to £721m.

It added it planned to have nearly 200 aircraft by September 2011, up from 177 at end of June this year, in line with growth plans that it set out in May.

Earlier this week, Easyjet's rival Ryanair said that its annual profits would be at the lower end of market expectations as it continued to cut fares to lure cash-strapped fliers in the recession.