EasyJet passenger numbers dip

EASYJET’s passenger loads edged down 0.4 per cent last month, with the budget airline carrying 3.73 million passengers compared with some 3.74 million in January 2011.

Over the year, however, the group’s passenger numbers rose 10 per cent to 55.46 million from 50.32 million. An EasyJet spokesman said: “The dip is in line with our earlier statements that our capacity will be relatively flatter during the winter.”

The company’s board is involved in a war of words with founder and majority shareholder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.