EasyJet raises outlook after Air France strike

Budget airline EasyJet today said it was on track for an annual profit of up to £580 million after sales received a boost from last month’s strike by Air France pilots.

The carrier said the industrial action had added about £5m to its revenues as Air France passengers switched to its services.

“This combined with the strong finish to the year means that the board’s expectation is for a pre-tax profit for the 12 months ended 30 September of between £575m and £580m compared with the previous guidance of £545m to £570m,” EasyJet said.

As well as delivering record profits for four years running, chief executive Carolyn McCall said the firm was also heading for its largest ever dividend, with plans to raise the proportion of post-tax profits paid out to shareholders from 33 to 44 per cent.

She added: “Our performance demonstrates our continued focus on cost and progress against all our strategic revenue priorities and further emphasises EasyJet’s structural advantage against both legacy and low-cost competition.”

The airline’s results are due to be released on 18 November.