Low-cost airline easyJet reported a jump in passenger numbers today as it continued to shrug off the gloom in the sector.

During December, the Luton-based group carried 670,390 passengers, 36.5 per cent above the same month the year before.

Despite the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks, operators such as easyJet, Ryanair and Go have seen continued passenger growth.

Yesterday, easyJet said it would be ordering 75 new planes as part of a major expansion planned for the next five years.

It has already had discussions with Boeing and Airbus about placing the order, thought to be worth around £2.7 billion.

Today's figures can partly be put down to the airline's recent expansion, with around 25 per cent more capacity brought on line in the past year.

Internet sales at the airline have also remained strong, accounting for 89.1 per cent of the total last month, compared to 82.3 per cent in December 2000.