easyJet passenger numbers up in October

Budget airline easyJet said it increased total passenger numbers by 8% in October.

Just under five million passengers bought seats on the airline, compared to 4.6m the previous year.

easyJet also said it increased its 'load factor' - which measures the number of passengers as a proportion of the number of seats available - slightly from 87.1% in October 2010 to 87.3% this year.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

However, both numbers are down on September, when easyJet sold 5.18m flights, filling 89.6% of its seats.

easyJet remains locked in a battle with its founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

In September, Sir Stelios, who owns 38% of easyJet, announced he was setting up a rival called FastJet.