British airline group Easyjet expects “record” pre-tax profits this summer on strong demand, but fears the potential impact of strikes by air traffic controllers, according to a statement on Thursday.
For the summer, which corresponds to the fourth quarter of its staggered financial year, the group has a strong increase in revenue per seat but warns of “difficult operating conditions”, with social movements of air traffic controllers.
They result in many flight delays and cancellations on many airlines, on Easyjet and its competitors.
Easyjet last week announced the cancellation of around 1,700 flights by the end of the summer due to air traffic control restrictions in Europe, mainly departing from or arriving at London Gatwick airport.
1700 flights canceled this summer
Easyjet does not name the French air traffic controllers, but strikes by them in recent months against pension reform frustrate companies often forced to bypass the country, the head of the International Air Transport Association had said in June. (Iata), Willie. Walsh, its main global organization.
Easyjet’s flight cancellations are not related to pilot or crew shortages according to the company.
The press release on Thursday highlights that “measures have been taken to mitigate the impact on customers”, without further details.
Last year, UK staff strikes and staff shortages led to serial delays, cancellations and chaos.
Easyjet is also optimistic for the winter with bookings compared to the same period last year.
In the third quarter of its staggered fiscal year, which ended at the end of June, the company saw revenue increase by a third in a year to £2.36bn, while pre-tax profit was £203m, helped by better cost control, compared to a loss of 114 million a year earlier.
In the first half, Easyjet had posted a reduced loss for a year.
Source: BFM TV
