That would be worse than analyst forecasts, and the budget carrier's first ever full-year deficit since it was founded in 1995.

EasyJet says it will fly just 25% of its planned capacity for the rest of this year.

That's behind rival Ryanair, which is aiming for 40% in October.

At such levels, easyJet chief Johan Lundgren says the airline's finances will remain under severe pressure.

On Thursday (October 8) he called on the UK government to come up with a bespoke package of support for the sector.

To survive so far, easyJet has taken a government loan of 600 million pounds, or about 778 million dollars.

It's raised around the same amount by selling aircraft, and tapped shareholders for yet more.

Cost-cutting moves have also seen 4,500 jobs go.

UK airlines have called for tax breaks and other measures, and want rapid virus testing at airports.

The government says it is looking at ways to reduce quarantine restrictions, and will produce a report in November.

EasyJet shares fell around 3 percent in early trade Thursday.