EasyJet increased September passenger volumes 22 per cent to 4.2m in a further indication of the rising market share being gained by the leading low-cost carriers in the short-haul market in Europe, writes Kevin Done.

Ireland's Ryanair, the biggest European no-frills operator, said last Friday it had handled 20 per cent more passengers year-on-year last month at 5.2m. In the past 12 months Ryanair carried 56m passengers compared with 43.7m at EasyJet.