EasyJet numbers soar to 5 million ahead of possible expansion

EasyJet flew 2.5 per cent more passengers in April, taking the total to 5.3 million, despite the early Easter meaning that most holiday trips took place in the previous month.

It takes the number of people on easyJet planes in the year so far to 59.9 million, 6.5 per cent above the numbers seen in the same period a year earlier. That's another piece of good news for the FTSE 100-listed budget airline, which is piloted by chief executive Carolyn McCall, after reports suggested that six of easyJet's major institutional investors are backing a major growth push which could see an order for as many as 200 new aircraft.

The support means a deal could get away despite the antipathy of Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the airline's founder and largest shareholder.

EasyJet's board has to secure a majority of votes on any large aircraft orders. Ms McCall is expected to announce news on its plane order this summer.