easyJet passenger numbers up 17 per cent

Budget airline easyJet saw a 17.4 per cent increase in passengers on its flights last month.

Budget airline easyJet saw a 17.4 per cent increase in passengers on its flights last month.

The Luton-based carrier said 1.86 million people flew on its services in February, against 1.59 million in the same month in 2003.

The group's load factor - how full its aircraft were - during the month remained flat at 89 per cent against the same period last year.

EasyJet said the figures confirmed comments it made at its annual meeting last month, when it said it remained "cautiously optimistic" about the airline's performance in the current year.