Easyjet 38.5% Improvement on Nov 2000
Low cost carrier Easyjet has reported another surge in passenger numbers, hinting at continuing success by budget airlines in growing their market share.
Easyjet carried 690,928 passengers last month, up 38.5% on traffic in November last year.
The data showed an acceleration in passenger growth, with expansion in October running at an annual rate of 33%.
While Easyjet's passenger number last month was actually lower than that in October, the dip was attributed by observers to seasonal factors.
Last year the fall was more pronounced.
The much-watched "load factor" figure, which indicates how many seats are being filled, hit 85.2% last month, from 82.2% in October.
Growing presence
The figures will be seen by analysts as a continuing indication of the growing presence by budget carriers in the aviation sector.
While major airlines have seen passenger numbers plummet since 11 September strikes, budget carriers slashed fares to attract passengers back onto planes.
Traffic on British Airways flights fell last month for the 10th consecutive month, if showing some improvement on October's data, figures on Wednesday revealed.
Budget airlines are also, being based around shorthaul traffic, less exposed to transatlantic trade, which has suffered in particular since the attacks.
Easyjet shares on Thursday closed at an all-time high of 488.5p.