easyJet has announced record profits and returns for the year ending 30th September 2015.

Passenger numbers increased by 6% to 68.6 million, with a record load factor in August of 94.4%, delivered by easyJet’s  proposition of good value fares to convenient airports and their leading-edge digital platform. Annual load factor increased by 0.9 percentage points to 91.5%.

The budget airline also announced that total revenue increased by 3.5% to £4,686million and by 6.5% on a constant currency basis. 

Revenue per seat also increased by 1.5% year-on-year on a constant currency basis, whilst capacity grew by 5% to 75 million seats. 

The company made approximately £46 million of sustainable savings in 2015. 

Profit grew to record levels for a fifth consecutive year, up 18% to £686 million and pre-tax profit margin increased by 1.8 percentage points to 14.6%. 

There was a 22% increase in proposed ordinary dividend and will deliver £219 million to shareholders.

These strong results and confidence in pipeline of opportunities in their markets will be supported by an additional 36 aircraft, secured through the 2013 framework agreement with Airbus. These aircraft will be delivered between 2018 and 2021 and will give easyJet a further expected cost saving of £27 million by 2021.

Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive, easyJet said: “Our outlook for the longer term is positive. We expect demand in our markets to be sustained and for easyJet to continue to be a winner in its markets. We will see passenger growth of 7% a year, sustaining margins through rigorous cost control and the benefit of fleet up-gauging, resulting in positive profit momentum. 

"We remain totally focused on our network advantage, digital leadership and offering our customers great low fares and service. We continue to invest in profitable growth, ensuring our digital advantage and giving our customer good value fares.”