British budget airline EasyJet has reported a 56% rise in full-year pre-tax profits, saying it will expand its fleet with more Airbus planes.
EasyJet said pre-tax profit for the year to September 30 was £129m, up from £83m a year ago. The result was in line with analysts' expectations.
EasyJet said it had converted options on 52 A319 aircraft into orders and secured options over a further 75 A320 aircraft.
'Our profit growth was driven by a 34% increase in ancillary revenues per seat, significant improvements in passenger yields and a continuing reduction in our non-fuel unit costs,' said chief executive Andy Harrison.
A strong summer and new routes helped offset a 33% rise in fuel costs for the year and the cancellation of 469 flights in August because of heightened security, imposed after British police said they foiled a plot to bomb airliners. Harrison said current trading is in line with the company's expectations.
