EasyJet expecting volatility

The group said it expected its pre-tax result for the six months to March 31 somewhere between a loss of £5m and profit of £10m.

It offered a glimmer of hope that its performance over the winter period would be in the black.

The airline had previously forecast a first half loss of between £10m and £30m. A year ago it posted a £53m loss for the same period.

Chief executive Carolyn McCall said the airline “has performed well in the first half of the year and has continued to deliver its strategy of making travel easy and affordable for passengers”.

But the airline warned that “further volatility around currency rates and the oil price is likely to continue into the second half”.