Passenger traffic rises to 3.2m for easyJet in February
07-03-2008
Budget flight operator easyJet said passenger numbers were up 22 per cent in February compared to last year to 3.2 million following the acquisition of GB Airways from British Airways (BA).
The low-cost carrier improved its load factor this month by 1.4 percentage points, from 82.8 per cent to 84.6 per cent. Load factor represents the proportion of seats filled on each flight.
The lift was due to a favourable comparison, the company said, as last February easyJet saw cancellations on several flights caused by French air traffic control strikes.
GB Airways, bought from BA at the end of January, also helped boost passenger numbers. During February the unit continued to operate as a BA franchise, easyJet said.
Excluding GB Airways, traffic was up 14.8 per cent to three million.
Rival airline Ryanair has been battling easyJet over prices, with both operators slashing the cost of tickets in recent months.
Ryanair said passenger traffic increased 20 per cent in February, flying 3.84 million people during the month.
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