BBC : Easyjet – Fuel costs double loss

Soaring fuel costs have almost doubled half-year losses at budget carrier Easyjet, but the firm is still forecasting higher profits.

The carrier reported a pre-tax loss of

The figures were hit by a 49% rise in fuel costs, Easyjet said, and the later timing of this year’s Easter weekend.

However, Easyjet said the loss was not as bad as feared, adding that full-year profits would be up by 10-15% on 2005.

Easyjet said it had managed to cut costs to help offset the rise in the price of fuel, and had also increased its sales of non-ticket items such as on-board food.
This had helped to keep first-half losses in check – at its annual general meeting in February the airline had predicted a loss of