EasyJet passengers to gain from oil price collapse

TUMBLING oil prices could see an average of £2 knocked off fares charged by budget airline EasyJet.

Carolyn McCall says Easyjet always aim for a strategy of making travel affordable. Picture: Jane Barlow

The carrier estimates the halving in the cost of a barrel of crude since last summer will take between £90 million and £130m off its annual fuel bill.

A spokesman added this would be passed on to passengers, taking up to £2 off last year’s total average revenue per passenger of £62.64.

The group also said first-half seasonal losses would reduce this year as it has added more seats to successful routes and attracted record business passengers in the three months to the end of December.

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In November, EasyJet posted a full-year pre-tax profit up 21.5 per cent to £581 million, its fourth year in a row of record earnings, as it claimed it was winning the battle for the skies with both national flag carriers and budget rivals.

Yesterday chief executive Carolyn ­McCall said: “EasyJet has made a good start to [its financial] year by continuing to deliver its strategy of making travel easy and affordable. EasyJet is well-­positioned to continue to ­deliver returns and growth to shareholders.”