EasyJet annual profit rallies

London - EasyJet's annual profits climbed on the back of rising passenger numbers and sales, the no-frills British airline said on Tuesday.

Net profits, or earnings after taxation, rallied 13% to £450m in the group's financial year to the end of September, compared with 2012 to 2013, EasyJet said in a results statement.

Pre-tax profits surged 22% to £581m, which was slightly ahead of the group's own forecast.

Passenger numbers jumped 7% to £64.8m, as the airline also picked up business from rival Air France - which had to cancel flights in September because of a record two-week-long pilots' strike.

READ: EasyJet revenues lifted by Air France strike

EasyJet's total revenues meanwhile swelled by 6.3% to £4.527bn.

"Our performance demonstrates our continued focus on cost and progress against every strategic revenue priority," said chief executive Carolyn McCall.