Profits up for the fifth consecutive year for EasyJet. For the year ended 30 September, the British airline reported profits up 18,1% to £686 million, compared with £581 million last year.
Total revenues up 3,5% to £4,686 million from £4,527 billion last year (+6,5% at constant exchange rates) Passenger numbers up 6% to 68,6 million , while revenue per seat offered increased 1,5% year over year in constant currency. At the same time, capacity grew by 5%, reaching 75 million seats.
The costs per seat offered decreased, resulting in a drop of 3,4%, thanks to the drop in the cost of fuel and the currency. Finally, it should be noted that the cost per seat offered in constant currency, excluding fuel, increased by 3,6%. During the fiscal year 2015 EasyJet generated savings of 46 million pounds.
Following the 22% increase in the proposed ordinary dividend, the company will distribute £219 million to shareholders. The airline has also communicated its intention to acquire a further 36 aircraft which will be guaranteed thanks to the framework agreement signed in 2013 with Airbus. Delivery is expected between 2018 and 2021 and will lead to further savings of £27m by 2021.
Carolyn McCall, CEO of easyJet, commented as follows: “Our long-term forecasts are positive. We expect demand in the markets in which we operate to remain strong and easyJet to continue to win in these markets. As far as we are concerned, we will have an annual passenger growth of 7%, we will support the margin thanks to rigorous cost control and the benefit of a higher density fleet, allowing the positive profitability trend to continue. We remain focused on our network advantage, digital leadership and offering our passengers affordable fares and quality service.” Meanwhile EasyJet has decided to appoint its first Head of Data Science to accelerate the use of intelligence artificial to allow greater efficiency, a reduction in costs and an increase in revenues.
