EasyJet narrows losses as customers ‘safeguard’ holidays

EasyJet has shrunk its losses as customers look to ‘safeguard’ their holidays in the cost of living squeeze.

EasyJet reported a pre-tax loss of £415m for the six months to the end of March, an improvement on the £557m loss a year earlier.

It carried 33.1 million passengers over the six months between October and March, a 41% increase on the 23.4m a year earlier.

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said the airline enters the summer period “with confidence”.

Lundgren explains: “Recent research has shown that travel is the number one priority for household discretionary spend with customers safeguarding their holidays and increasingly opting for low cost airlines and brands which provide great value.

“easyJet holidays expects to deliver full year profits of more than £80 million as it continues its rapid growth in the UK alongside its entry into the European package holiday market.

“From summer it will start selling holidays in Switzerland which will be the first of a number of planned new European markets.”