Easyjet reported higher losses in the first quarter as it expanded into Italy - but this was partly offset by a surge in customers booking its own-brand package holidays. The no-frills airline said headline losses jumped to £93million, £32million higher than the previous year, as it invested in new routes to Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino. Easyjet Holidays customers jumped 20 per cent in the three months to 31 December, as cost-conscious travellers look for value. Forward bookings were ahead of last year, with 63 per cent sold in the second quarter and 22 per cent in the second half. Shares in Easyjet rose 2.52 per cent to 487p but are down over 5 per cent year-to-date.