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Budget airline easyJet enjoyed a 13.8 per cent increase in passenger numbers in May, it has revealed.

Having transported 2,939,361 passengers in May 2006 the firm flew 3,345,465 passengers a year later, showing impressive year-on-year growth.

Load factor – the percentage of seats filled – fell from 83.9 per cent to 83.3 per cent in the same period.

The company reiterated its prediction of a 40 to 50 per cent increase in its pre-tax profits for the year to September 2007, saying falling energy prices would enable it to achieve significant year-on-year cost reductions of five per cent.

"This anticipated decrease in unit costs reflects continued improvements in the cost of aircraft ownership, careful management of airport related costs and a reduction in overheads," easyJet said in a statement.

Explaining the increase in passenger numbers, the airline added: "Strong load factors, which were broadly in line with last year, were supported by targeted promotional activity and low lead-in fares."

The company reported last month its first-half loss had been reduced to £17 million from £40 million in the six months to March 2007.

Shares in easyJet rose 0.19 per cent on early morning trading.