Turbulence clouds easyJet outlook for year as revenues fall

The UK budget airline says it has been hit by a spate of terrorist attacks and has seen revenue per seat slide as it also battles Brexit fallout.

An easyJet aircraft at Cointrin airport in Geneva, Switzerland. The UK budget carrier is facing revenue headwinds. Denis Balibouse/Reuters

The British airline easyJet said it could not predict the outcome for the end of the year after growing security concerns, weaker consumer confidence and currency volatility hit the group during its most profitable peak summer period.

EasyJet, Europe’s second-biggest low-cost carrier behind Ryanair, failed to provide a profit guidance for the 12 months ended September 30 on Thursday, marking a departure from previous years when it has provided a profit range.

The airline said its fourth-quarter performance would be affected by two events last week in two of its destinations: the lorry attack in Nice, France, which killed 84 people and the failed coup attempt in Turkey.

That gave it little visibility over revenue per seat in the fourth quarter, the airline said.

Concerns around security would add to the consumer uncertainty already arising from Britain’s vote to leave the EU in June, which has made going on holiday to Europe more expensive for Britons. Britain is easyJet’s biggest single market.

Analysts currently expect easyJet to report pretax profit of £592 million (Dh2.86 billion) for the 12 months ended September 30, which would represent a 14 per cent fall on what it made the previous year.

EasyJet’s third quarter was impacted by a high number of cancelled flights due to strike action, runway closures and severe weather, plus the beginning of the impact of Brexit, since when the pound has slumped 9 per cent against the euro.

As a result, third-quarter revenue per seat fell 8.3 per cent at a constant currency or 7.7 per cent on a reported basis.

Rival airlines are also finding the market tough. The British Airways owner IAG warned on profit in June followed by Germany’s Lufthansa on Wednesday, citing greater political and economic uncertainty.

EasyJet said it was focused on controlling costs and remained committed to a plan to increase its dividend.

“The easyJet team is confident in its ability to navigate the period ahead and drive long term advantage,” said the chief executive Carolyn McCall.

Follow The National's Business section on Twitter