Airlines give lift to quiet Footsie

The FTSE 100 Index struggled for direction despite a buoyant session for blue chip banks and airlines.

The top tier edged up five points to close at 7026.9, while markets in Europe held steady after the European Central Bank kept rates on hold and pushed back the potential for more quantitative easing until at least December.

In currency markets, the pound slipped almost a cent to $1.22 but held firm at 1.12 euros.

Ahead of their third quarter updates next week, RBS and Barclays were the biggest blue chip risers – ahead 6.3p at 186.3p and 5.7p to 183.1p respectively.

Lloyds, which also reports next week, was 0.7p stronger at 55.6p.

British Airwaysowner International Airlines Group and easyJet also made strong gains thanks to a surprise profit target rise by German rival Lufthansa.

This came as a dose of welcome good news from the industry after profit warnings from Ryanair and easyJet.