Changes at airline easyJet starting to take off

The budget airline – which has been expanding its presence at key airports such as London Gatwick – carried 4.1 per cent more passengers to 14.9 million in the three months up to December 31.

It has targeted corporate ­travellers with flexible fares and allocated seats and has increased frequency on routes such as Geneva to Gatwick.

It expects to post a first-half pre-tax loss of £10million to £30million – compared with a £53million loss at the same stage last year. Airlines and travel firms tend to be in the red during ­winter due to less demand.

Chief executive Carolyn McCall has hinted passengers would see the benefit of lower fuel costs.

EasyJet’s fuel bill is set to fall by between £30million to ­£35million over the first half.

Ms McCall said: “We enjoyed a strong October – particularly on UK ­leisure flights to beach ­destinations and on French domestic routes, where we ­continue to build numbers.

“We further strengthened our network in the quarter adding around 500,000 seats, the ­majority of which are from ­airports where easyJet has a number one or number two ­position.

“This, combined with our new TV ads aimed at business ­travellers, enabled us to sell record numbers of seats to them in the first quarter.”

Shares rose 33p to 1789p.

Meanwhile, British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG) is planning talks with the Irish government to reassure it over the future of Aer Lingus.

The Irish carrier’s board has ­indicated it would ­recommend an improved ­£1billion takeover.

IAG said Aer Lingus would “operate as a separate business with its own brand, management and operations, continuing to provide connectivity to Ireland, while benefiting from the scale of being part of the larger group”.