LONDON (AP) — Budget airline easyJet reported a 62 percent jump in full-year net profit yesterday after it carried more passengers on more routes. But the company remained cautious about rising fuel costs in the future.

The carrier reported a net profit of £152.3 million ($313 million) in the year ending September 30, compared with £94.1 million in the previous 12 months.

Revenue rose 22 percent to £1.8 billion ($3.7 billion) as passenger numbers were up 13 percent to 37.2 million,

The load factor, which shows how full the airline's planes are, dipped to 83.7 percent from 84.8 percent, reflecting expansion of easyJet's network.

The airline added eight destinations and 46 routes over the past year, bringing its network to 289 routes, using 77 airports in 21 countries.

EasyJet said that rising fuel prices meant the "fuel environment remains challenging", but said high fuel costs would be partly offset by the weak US dollar.

"Despite challenging conditions, revenue, profit and return on equity have all shown strong improvements reflecting the success of our focus on low cost with care and convenience," said chief executive Andy Harrison.

The airline said it expects an increase in underlying profit before tax of around 20 percent in the current financial year, a forecast that excludes its proposed acquisition of GB Airways.

GB Airways, a British Airways franchise partner, serves 31 destinations in southern Europe and North Africa, mainly from London's Gatwick airport.

EasyJet said it expects to complete the £103.5 million ($212 million) deal by the end of January.