easyJet has posted pre-tax profits of £154 million in the 12 months to September 30, an increase of £99.3 million over last year. As a result of the better-than-expected results the airline is planning its first-ever dividend payment to shareholders, which analysts have suggested will be 10pence per share.
Sales rose by 11.5% to £3 billion, with passenger numbers up 8% to 48.8 million.
Founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou called the company’s first dividend in January 2012 was a good first step but he wants it to rise to more than twice the rate planned.
The airline plans to target business travellers to help boost demand for flights throughout the year, reducing easyJet’s reliance on holiday flights. Plans to attract business travellers include a new flexible fare that gives passengers flexibility to change their flight up to two hours before the scheduled departure time.