Turbulent times: Easyjet flags first-half shortfall after demand tails off

Easyjet has warned that uncertainty over Brexit is holding back demand in the short term, as the airline said it would make a loss in the first half due to rising costs. The carrier expects a pre-tax loss for the six months to 31 March of £275 million. Revenue will rise by about 7.3 per cent to £2.34 billion after capacity increased by 14.5 per cent. But total headline costs for the same period are to increase by 18.8 per cent. This is a result of the enlarged capacity, as well as higher fuel unit costs and an increase in cost per seat.