LOW-cost airline easyJet carried 2.24 million passengers last month - a 28 per cent increase on the same period a year earlier.

The improvement, which the company said was in line with the performance seen in the previous month, came during a difficult period for discount airlines.

Last month, easyJet, which operates services out of Newcastle Airport, saw its share price tumble after warning that its profits had been affected by unprofitable and unrealistic pricing in the sector. High oil prices have also put pressure on the business.

In the monthly statistics, easyJet said the percentage of available passenger seats being taken was 86 per cent in June, the same figure as a year earlier but slightly ahead of the 84 per cent for the past 12 months.

For the year to the end of June, easyJet carried 22.9 million passengers and generated revenues of £1.03bn - a 21 per cent improvement on the figures seen a year earlier.

Chief executive Ray Webster said: ''These figures are in line with our statement in June. We continue to capitalise on our market and financial strengths.''

He said the airline had been boosted by the launch of services to Cologne, in Germany.