​EasyJet is expecting a full-year headline pre-tax profit of £420-430 million ($516-528 million), down on the previous level of £578 million.

EasyJet is expecting a full-year headline pre-tax profit of £420-430 million ($516-528 million), down on the previous level of £578 million.

This figure is towards the upper end of its £400-440 million estimate, disclosed in July.

The UK budget airline's chief, Johan Lundgren, says market conditions have been "challenging" but that the carrier has performed "in line with expectations".

EasyJet benefited slightly from strike effects at British Airways and budget rival Ryanair, although it suffered its own disruption during the fourth quarter, which it attributes to technical problems at London Gatwick as well as weather impact in Europe.

"[Our] operational resilience initiative was a key driving force behind the strong performance," says the carrier.

Revenue per seat for the full year will fall by 2.7%, at constant currency, although the airline points out that the figure should rise for the second half – contrary to previous expectations.

Headline cost per seat, excluding fuel, at constant currency will fall by around 0.8%. But the airline predicts a total fuel cost of £1.42 billion for the year.

EasyJet's first quarter bookings for 2019-20 are "in line" with levels recorded a year ago, and it expects capacity during the new fiscal year to be "at the lower end of our historic range".