(Reuters) - British airline Easyjet reported a smaller operating loss in its first quarter on Wednesday, as costs eased and holidaymakers travelled more for the festive period.

Operating loss came in at 40 million pounds ($49.27 million) for the three months to Dec. 31, compared with 117 million pounds a year earlier.

($1 = 0.8118 pounds)

(Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)