BUDGET airline easyJet announced today that profits were down 65 per cent on last year.

BUDGET airline easyJet announced today that profits were down 65 per cent on last year.

EasyJet, which flies out of Stansted, Essex, posted underlying pre-tax profits of �43.7 million for the year to September 30, compared with �123.1 million in 2008.

However it said it was one of the few carriers to make a surplus in the recession.

The firm said it was an “extremely resilient” performance in the circumstances, but predicted a “tough winter” as rising unemployment takes its toll on demand.

The fall in profits has been blamed on rising fuel costs and lower interest income although the airline hopes the situation will improve by 2010.