EasyJet bookings for summer holidays hit a new high this month despite the cost of living gloom.
The budget airline said 2023 had got off to a flying start, with three record weekends for sales revenue.
Boss Johan Lundgren added: “Many returned to make bookings during the traditional turn-of-year sale where we filled five aircraft every minute in the peak hours.”
It comes amid soaring bills, suggesting people are prioritising trips to places like Benidorm over other luxuries.
Russ Mould, investment director at broker AJ Bell, said: “Many consumers still have the appetite and the means to spend money on experiences despite the prospect of recession.
“People work hard and they want to give themselves a treat, meaning a foreign holiday remains high on the list.”
Strong demand has led to easyJet putting on 11 new routes.
It said losses narrowed to £133million in the three months to the end of December, from £213m a year earlier.
It carried 17.5m passengers in this period, up 47% from 11.9m in 2021. The top destinations were Amsterdam, Geneva, Paris, Tenerife and Alicante.
Mr Lundgren said: “Coming into the summer, the early indication is it’s really down to the places that offer great value for money [such as] Turkey and Egypt. But also Spain is popular.”
