The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
EasyJet nosedives to first full-year loss in its 25-year history
Low-cost carrier easyJet has slumped to the first ever full-year loss in its 25- year history as the coronavirus crisis sent it nosediving into the red by £1.27 billion.
The group’s pre-tax loss for the year to September 30 comes after passenger numbers halved to 48.1 million as the pandemic crippled the aviation industry.
It warned it expects to fly no more than around 20% of planned services in the first quarter of its year to next September as Covid hits demand.
EasyJe t ’s losses compare with profits of £430m the previous year.
On an underlying basis, easyJet reported pre-tax losses of £835m against profits of £427m the previous year, which was in line with expectations.
Johan Lundgren , easyJet chief executive, said the group had responded “robustly and decisively” to the virus crisis and cheered “welcome news” on a possible Covid-19 vaccine.
He said: “While we expect to fly no more than 20% of planned capacity for the first quarter of 2021, maintaining our disciplined approach to cash generative flying over the winter, we retain the flexibility to rapidly ramp up when demand returns.
“We know our customers want to fly with us and underlying demand is strong.”
He added the group expected to “bounce back strongly”.
Easy Jet’ s capacity outlook for the quarter to the end of December marks a downgrade on earlier forecasts, having previously expected to fly around 25% of planned services.