LONDON: Low-cost airline operator easyJet Plc said its passenger numbers went up to 2.73 million in October, an increase of 13.7 per cent compared with October 2004. It had a load factor of 85.6 percent of capacity, down 1.4 percentage points in the month.
The company is to come up with its financial results on 22 November. It had raised its profit forecast for the year to end-September 2005 to match last year's 62.2 million pounds.
The airline has been subject of speculation about an acquisition bid by Iceland's FL Group, which had increased its stake in the company to 16.2 per cent. But, the company's founder, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, has denied any such plans confirming his and his family's stake amounting to 41 per cent in the airline is not for sale.
The Luton, England-based carrier had started services to additional destinations and from Rome and Milan to Berlin. It operates on 187 routes and 57 airports using 103 aircraft. Along with its base at Luton, it has sizeable operations at Bristol, Edinburgh, Stansted and Gatwick.
easyJet's chief executive Ray Webster will be retiring in December, giving the helm to Andrew Harrison, former head of U.K. motoring services firm RAC.
Posted
on : Mon, 07 Nov 2005 16:35 GMT | Business News
By : Salim Patel
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