Ash cloud can't keep Jet2.com grounded

Budget airline Jet2.com shrugged off Icelandic ash problems to help parent company Dart Group post a 38 per cent rise in profits for the first half of the year.

The group, based at Leeds Bradford airport, made a pre-tax profit of 38.7 million during the six months to 30 September. This included contributions from its Jet2 passenger services and Fowler Welch-Coolchain, Dart's fresh produce distribution business.

Group turnover rose 25 per cent to 340.4m, with aviation revenues of 270m also up by a quarter. This sales growth was achieved despite disruption from the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, which forced the cancellation of more than 400 Jet2 flights at a cost of 3m.

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Passenger numbers rose to 2.4 million, driven by a 51 per cent rise in the number of package trips through tour operator Jet2holidays. Steve Heapy, managing director of Jet2holidays, said the group wants to double its package holiday customers. Much of this growth will come from Scotland, as Jet2 is launching its eighth UK base from Glasgow airport. Flights are scheduled to begin on 31 March, with 300,000 seats in the first year.

Heapy said bookings at Glasgow, which was hit particularly hard by the demise of Globespan in late 2009, were exceeding expectations. Jet2 is also expanding capacity from Edinburgh, where it has operated since 2007. Some 200,000 seats will be available out of Edinburgh from next summer.

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