Budget airline easyJet has announced that the price of an average fare has continued to decline, piling further pressure on the company’s profit margins.

The average fare price fell to £42.97 during the three-month period ending 30 June, marking a 6 per cent decline from £46.08 during the same period in 2003.

Passenger numbers at easyJet continue to grow however, as the airline carried a record 2.4 million people during June 2004 – a 28 per cent increase on June 2003.

Ray Webster, chief executive, said: “The outlook for the full year is in line with our expectations of pre-tax profits of £52m.”

“Load factors are holding steady over the 80 per cent mark, although yields remain under pressure.”