Easyjet to order 36 new Airbus A320 jets after announcing record profits for the fifth straight year

Easyjet the second largest budget airline in Europe has reported a 22% rise in full-year net profit and said it would buy more planes to drive future growth.

Net profit rose to £548 million for the financial year ended in September, with sales up  3.5% to £4.7 billion.

EasyJet said it would add 36 Airbus A320 jets to its fleet for delivery between 2018 and 2021.

The order includes an option for 30 A320neo models, which come with more fuel efficient engines.

The airline carried 68.6 million passengers, or 6% more than in the year-prior.

The airline’s chief executive Carolyn McCall said the trading outlook for the group as a whole was strong.

“Our outlook for the longer term is positive. We expect demand in our markets to be sustained and for Easyjet to continue to be a winner in its markets.

“We will see passenger growth of 7% a year, sustaining margins through rigorous cost control and the benefit of fleet up-gauging, resulting in positive profit momentum.”

“Airbus is proud to have partnered easyJet along the airline’s impressive achievements and growth. The airline is one of the biggest carriers in Europe with a large fleet to match. Not only is easyJet one of the biggest airline customers for the A320ceo but also the A320neo. This endorsement demonstrates easyJet’s commitment for operating the world’s most productive and efficient aircraft married with the best cabin comfort for its millions of loyal passengers,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer,Customers.

easyJet operates Europe’s largest and the world’s fourth largest Airbus single aisle fleet. Since easyJet took delivery of its first Airbus aircraft (an A319) in September 2003, Airbus has delivered an aircraft on average every 16 days to easyJet since the first delivery