DEMAND for flights and package holidays operated by Yeadon-based Jet2.com is running below expectations this summer following a strong and improved performance in 2013.

Philip Meeson, chairman of parent company Dart Group, has warned that the leisure business’s 2014 operating profit is likely to be below expectations.

Mr Meeson is unsure why demand has dropped off but cites the World Cup and the weather and says it may be because household budgets in its Northern heartland remain tight.

In the year to March 31 Dart Group, which includes the Jet2.com airline, jet2holidays and food distribution company Fowler & Welch, achieved a strong trading performance with operating profit up by 30 per cent to £49.2million from £37.9 million and pre-tax profit four per cent higher at £42.1million, against the previous £40.5million.

Group turnover increased by 29 per cent to break through the £1 billion mark – rising from £869.2 million to £1.1 billion.

The package holiday business almost doubled customer numbers from 417,390 to more than 830,000. Operating profit jumped by 122 per cent to £14.4 million from £6.5 million, with turnover rising by 103 per cent to £496.2 million against £244.8 million.

The Jet2.com airline operation increased turnover by 16 per cent to £643.1million from £556.2 million as demand for seats, partly through Jet2holidays, further improved passenger loads and increased net ticket yields. Though operating profit increased by 17 per cent from £26.7million to £31.2million pre-tax profit fell to £23.9 million from £29.3 million due to financial adjustments, partly due to revaluation of US dollar cash balances.

Key developments in the travel business included the £9.2 million flight simulator pilot training centre on Bradford’s Euroway trading estate, which started operating in May. Jet2.com also expanded its pilot and engineering apprentice schemes to take on 30 apprentices annually.

Jet2.com added 32 new routes and the aircraft fleet expanded from 53 to 55.

Fowler & Welch saw pre-tax profit dip from £4.4million to £3.3million, partly due to a difficult first half when it was hit by unexpectedly varied seasonal demand from supermarkets.

“Our scale, experience and competitiveness in each sector gives us optimism in our outlook for the long-term growth of the group,” said Mr Meeson.