Trading update pre-close stated:
Full Year 2017 capacity grew by 8.6% (marginally ahead of guidance of 8.5%),
Load factor +97 bps to 92.6% and passengers carried grew by 9.7%.
Revenue per seat at constant currency declined by 3.7%
The slightly better performance is attributed to high load factors (boosted by the disruption faced by Ryanair) and strong ancillary revenue growth.
Headline cost per seat excluding fuel at Constant Currency is expected to increase by c.1% in line with prior guidance.
Consequently, FY17 Profit Before Tax is expected to be between £405-410m, +c.1% at the midpoint versus Bloomberg consensus of £403m.
Outlook: the group plan to grow capacity in FY18 by c.6%
As of 8:25 the stock was trading down c.1% at 1270.00p