SHARES in low-cost airline easyJet were given a boost today after the carrier reported a 5.3% rise in passenger figures for September.

The year-on-year increase to 4.4 million represents an improvement on the rate for the 12 months to the end of September, when passenger numbers rose 3.4%.

The airline’s planes were also closer to capacity during the month, with the load factor up 1.2 percentage points to 88.1% last month.

EasyJet did not comment on today’s traffic figures, but in July it said it was picking up business as rivals cut back in tough conditions. It also has seen increased traffic from non-UK holidaymakers taking advantage of the strong euro.

Ryanair yesterday reported a 17% rise in traffic on a year earlier, but British Airways carried 0.8% fewer passengers due to continued pressure on demand for business class tickets.

EasyJet shares rose more than 2% following today’s update.