months of this year. these are the first set of quarterly gdp figures since the end of the country s strict covid poilcy in december. this boosted retail sales, which were up over 10% on this time last year. also a huge expansion in travel, with some 45 million air passengers taking trips last month. all of this has helped spark positivity from investors, with groups like citi upgrading their china growth forecast to 6.1% that s well over china s own targets. joining me now is rory green, chief china economist at consultants ts lombard. these numbers look strong. is it a short term bounce or was it more sustainable. it short-term bounce or was it more sustainable- sustainable. it is generally fairly sustainable sustainable. it is generally fairly sustainable for sustainable. it is generally fairly sustainable for the sustainable. it is generally fairly sustainable for the remainder i sustainable. it is generally fairly sustainable for the remainder of 2024. what sust
riding the storm quite well. how has it done that? it is implemented a number of cost control measures, opened up additional routes which have enabled it to successfully navigate its way to reduce cost issues. they were initially made worse by the war in ukraine. it is those measures coupled with the fact that demand has increased, people are still willing to spend money despite the cost of living crisis, that means that easyjet has seen higher sales volumes, just over easter, but they have a strong order book for the summer. the easter, but they have a strong order book for the summer. book for the summer. the travel industry still book for the summer. the travel industry still faces book for the summer. the travel industry still faces some - industry still faces some challenges, such as recent strike action we have seen at airports here in the uk, germany, france, etc. that must still be a concern. yet.
provisions for health care, without which, it is not even a pipe dream. india spent a fraction of that currently. legislation alone will not help. unless it is hand in hand with more public spending to make health care accessible to millions in the world s most populous country. nikhil inamdar, bbc news, jaipur, india. let s focus on easyjet now, because the low cost carrier expects its profits to beat expectations for this financial year, boosted by strong demand during the easter period despite french strikes. looking ahead, easyjet says it has strong bookings for the summer. joining me is emma carr, retail partner at gowling wlg. easyjet s numbers sound quite strong and they appeared to be back on track, why are they doing so well? it is clearly weathering the easyjet
in the uk, germany, france, etc. that must still be a concern. yet, i was in paris that must still be a concern. yet, i was in paris at that must still be a concern. yet, i was in paris at the that must still be a concern. yet, i was in paris at the weekend - that must still be a concern. yet, i was in paris at the weekend and i that must still be a concern. yet, i i was in paris at the weekend and was the receiving end of the protests, so that was fun. despite that, demand is certainly returning to air travel. all the flight restrictions and covid restrictions have been lifted. i mention the cost of living crisis, demand has increased despite the cost of living crisis, but because of it it also means that passengers are looking for the best value, which gave easyjet the perfect opportunity to further cement its position in the market as an affordable air line with consumer shooters consumers looking for best value in travelling. shooters consumers looking for best value in
competitive efforts by their competitors will also intensify. so easyjet can t afford to rest on its laurels. it needs to remain on top of its game if one is to continue with his current success rate. it needs to continue to look towards the future to ensure customer satisfaction remains high. even longer term than that, things like innovation will key, which is why easyjet s tie with rolls royce and its looking into hydrogen fuels for example, it may prove invaluable in meeting those potential challenges that lie ahead. mf, meeting those potential challenges that lie ahead. that lie ahead. mf, thank you for that, and that lie ahead. mf, thank you for that. and we that lie ahead. mf, thank you for that, and we are that lie ahead. mf, thank you for that, and we are glad that lie ahead. mf, thank you for that, and we are glad to - that lie ahead. mf, thank you for that, and we are glad to hear- that lie ahead. mf, thank you for| that, and we are glad to hear you made it back from