British budget airline EasyJet has reported sharply reduced pre-tax losses of £17m for the six months to March. This compares with £40m a year earlier.
Total revenue was up 14% to £719m, while passenger numbers rose by 11% to 16.4 million in the period. EasyJet said it was maintaining its forecast that full-year profits for the year to September would be 40-50% ahead of the previous year.
The airline said its costs, excluding fuel, were reduced by 2%, while margins improved by four points to -2.4%.
EasyJet's chief executive Andy Harrison said its passenger numbers were being hit by higher taxes, rising interest rates and environmental concerns.
