Budget airline easyJet warns it will make its first full year loss

The group said it is braced for losses of between £815m and £845m for the year to September 3.

The airline said losses reached between £295m and £325m in its fourth quarter, which were lower than those in the previous three months when planes were grounded during the lockdown.

It said it is keeping its finances under review and it will assess further funding opportunities amid reports it has warned the Government it may need further financial support if the pandemic continues to batter demand.

Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, said: “This year will be the first time in its history that easyJet has ever made a full year loss.

“Aviation continues to face the most severe threat in its history and the UK Government urgently needs to step up with a bespoke package of measures to ensure airlines are able to support economic recovery when it comes.”