British low-cost airline easyJet said today its first-half revenues were likely to come in better than it had expected last November, although the outlook for summer bookings was uncertain.
The company said in a statement its first-quarter revenues to end December were up 32 per cent to £550 million ($756 million) on a 10 per cent increase in passenger numbers, leading it to be more optimistic for the half year than two months ago.
However, the carrier said the crucial summer period remained uncertain due to the tough economic climate and the weakening of sterling against the euro. It reiterated guidance to be profitable in the year to September 2009.
EasyJet last year became embroiled in a boardroom row with founder and non-executive director Stelios Haji-Iannou over future growth strategy.
Stelios wants the airline to rein in the group's order of new planes and start paying a dividend to shareholders.
EasyJet shares closed yesterday at 255.75 pence, down by over a third in the past year, valuing the business at just over £1 billion.
Reuters