easyJet raise profit forecast; announce one off dividend
22.09.11
easyJet has increased its profit forecast for the year to the end of September for the second time in two months, and announced a one off special dividend. The airline said its performance had been ‘robust’ over the summer, helped by an increase in business passengers and ‘particular strength on city routes’.
It now expects profits to be in the region £240m - £250m, up from a previously upgraded forecast of £200m - £230m in July. It will pay a special dividend of 35p a share (£150m in total), on top of an annual dividend of 9p a share, returning a total of £190m to shareholders.
Earlier this year, easyJet shifted its strategy to include a focus on attracting more business passengers, and this has led to a 20% increase in business travellers, who typically pay more for their flights and book extras such as speedy boarding. The airline said in a statement: ‘easyJet's commercial performance continues to be robust across the network, with particular strength on city routes used by business and short break leisure travellers.'
Revenue per seat rose 6% in the second half of the year and the airline has already sold around a third of the seats for the first quarter of its next financial year. However, it warned at current fuel and exchange rates its 2012 fuel bill will increase by about £220m compared to the current year.
To book a luton airport hotels or luton airport parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great luton airport car parking and luton airport hotel price comparison pages.
