easyJet, Go gain height over rivals

EASYJET and its new subsidiary Go today outpaced market expectations on passenger numbers and narrowly beat arch-rival Ryanair. The crucial July period saw easyJet's load factor - the industry measure of how full its planes are - hit 87.9%, while Go achieved 87%. Ryanair's July load factor was 86%.

Analysts said any figure in the 80%-plus region was extraordinary but noted Go's strong improvement from the 81.9% registered a year earlier. The group recently moved to pricing each journey separately, rather than quoting for return trips only, which brought about a big pick-up in passenger loads.

EasyJet carried one million passengers compared with 645,598 for Go - increases of 61.7% and 58.8% respectively. 'When we bought Go we felt there was a considerable potential for extra growth in the business,' said an easy-Jet spokesman.

The group is negotiating with Boeing and Airbus over an order for 120 new planes.