EasyJet sees short-term hit, summer rebound

EasyJet is eyeing a summer rebound.

But it could hit a few bumps before getting there.

The British budget airline says lingering health worries will hit its performance this quarter.

On Thursday (January 27) it said its planes weren't quite as full as expected over the three months to the end of December.

But it sees signs of a coming boom.

Chief Executive Johan Lundgren said UK bookings jumped after the country eased travel restrictions earlier this month.

They rose again when the government said all testing requirements would end in February.

Now the airline expects summer demand to be close to pre-crisis levels.

UK beach and leisure routes are expected to do especially well.

For the first quarter, group revenue jumped to just over $1 billion - around five times higher than this time last year.

EasyJet shares rose around 1% in early trade Thursday.