easyJet's winter profits are falling in spite of cost control and lower fuel prices

EasyJet has let slip that winter profits are falling, in spite of fuel price reductions. For the first time, its trading update for Oct-2015 to Dec-2015 (1Q of its financial year FY2016) gives a cost per seat figure, in addition to the usual revenue per seat. Europe's second largest LCC did not announce a 1Q pre-tax profit figure, but it can be calculated from the other reported data that it dropped 25% year on year.

This was due to revenue per seat falling more than cost per seat. The weakness in unit revenue was the result of terrorist activity affecting demand in Sharm El Sheikh and Paris in Nov-2015. EasyJet actually performed better than expected on costs, but weak unit revenue has become a trend in recent quarters and is set to continue in 2Q.

Of course, the airline makes all its money in the summer, and so - large percentage changes in the small winter profits do not say much about the full year. EasyJet still expects a higher pre-tax profit this year, but the strong double digit earnings growth of recent years is becoming harder to repeat.