The low-cost carrier said that revenue per seat fell by “high single digits” in November and December as demand dipped following the events in Paris and Sharm El Sheikh.

Despite this, easyJet still managed to increase passenger numbers by 8.1% to 16.1 million during the three months to the end of 2015.

Revenue per seat dropped by 3.7% for the whole quarter compared to the same period in 2014, while total revenue fell marginally by 0.1% to £930 million year-on-year.

The Luton-based airline said that forward bookings during the first few weeks of 2016 were “showing a marked improvement in revenue per seat compared to November and December”.

Although revenue per seat is still set to decline by “mid-single digits” between January and March “due to the impact of Egypt and Paris”.

Chief executive Carolyn McCall added: “easyJet’s excellent customer proposition combined with low oil prices has allowed it to offer lower fares which has driven an 8% increase in passenger numbers in the first quarter.
 
“The easyJet customer-centric strategy of giving passengers low fares to primary airports continues to be executed well.

“This year we will consolidate that with a relentless focus on cost reduction which is already delivering. This will ensure that easyJet continues to win and continues to grow revenue, profit and dividends.”

EasyJet saw cancellations during the last three months of 2015 rise to 684 flights compared to 468 for the same period in the previous year – mostly due to the cancellation of Sharm services. The airline has currently suspended flights to the Egyptian resort until May 27, 2016.

The airline added that it was still on course to make a pre-tax profit this year of around £738 million for the financial year ending on September 30, 2016.