Easyjet has raised its profits forecast to �62.2m for the year

The Luton-based carrier said its load factor, an indication of how many seats on an aircraft are taken, was 85.6%.

Easyjet and rival Ryanair are getting ready for winter, a traditionally quiet time, after a summer of fuel rises.

Chief executive Ray Webster is to retire in December and will be replaced by Andrew Harrison, the former head of UK motoring services firm RAC.

Takeover speculation

Last month FL Group, owned by Hannes Smarason, boss of Icelandair, raised its stake in the airline by 1% to 15%, prompting takeover speculation.

Analysts have warned any takeover move would be tricky as Easyjet's owner Stelios Haji-Ioannou and his family are reluctant to sell the 40% stake they hold in the business.

And back in August, Mr Smarason played down claims he was lining up a bid for the UK airline.

In August Easyjet raised its profit forecast for the year to October 2005 to match last year's �62.2m ($110.4m).

The low-cost carrier said its passenger numbers for the year to November rose 20.4% and total revenue was up 21.8% to �1.36bn.