EasyJet logs soaring annual profit

EasyJet's annual net profit jumped by almost a fifth on strong sales and record passenger numbers, the British no-frills airline announced on Tuesday.

Profits after taxation jumped 17 percent to £385 million ($460 million, 400 million euros) in the 12 months to September, EasyJet said in a statement.

The total number of passengers rose 10.2 percent to a record high of 88.5 million.

Pre-tax profit surged 41.4 percent to £578 million, as revenues rose 17 percent to £5.9 billion.

The carrier made a smaller-than-expected loss on its purchase of Berlin's Tegel Airport from bankrupt German carrier Air Berlin.

"EasyJet has delivered a great performance during the year," said chief executive Johan Lundgren, who has been in the job since last December.