Apollo Target easyJet Posts Profit Drop on Lower Demand, Fuel-Price Volatility

easyJet, a takeover target, reported weaker third-quarter performance as passenger numbers fell and demand softness persisted alongside fuel-price volatility. The airline said its load factor dropped to 88.9% from 90.2%, reflecting planes operating less full than in the comparable period. The company also reported a decline in pretax profit for the quarter, attributing the result to lower demand and price swings tied to fuel costs. The update follows a period of changing booking patterns, with the airline indicating that operational demand did not fully offset the cost headwinds. In the competitive short-haul market, the figures underline how sensitive low-cost carriers remain to both booking momentum and energy pricing. The report was published as the carrier’s results came for its third quarter.