UK-based low-cost carrier Easyjet has reported that it is ordering a further 52 aircraft after filing a 56% rise in annual profits.

The carrier said its growth was aided by strong passenger growth to 33m (+11.5%) and new routes, as it reported a pre-tax profit of pound.129m ($244m) in the year ending September.
The carrier said it achieved the result in the face of escalating fuel charges, but it also reported that last August's heightened security alerts had cost it pound.4m ($7.5m) in lost revenues.
The carrier said it is now ordering 52 new Airbus A319 aircraft for delivery between 2008 and 2010, which will take the total number of planes ordered by the airline to date to 104.