LONDON -- Shares in easyJet ( ISE: EZJ.L ) have lifted 5.75% this morning to 690 pence from last night's close of 652.50 pence following the release of the budget airline's final results, in which the headline figure stated a 27.9% increase in pre-tax profit. Profit before tax was up to 317 million pounds compared with 2011's final figure of 248 million pounds. Elsewhere in the results, total revenue jumped up 11.6% to 3.85 billion pounds against 3.45 billion pounds at the same point last year. However, private investors will be buoyed by the news from easyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall, who said, "As evidence of its confidence in easyJet's current position and future prospects, the Board proposes to increase the dividend from 10.5 pence to 21.5 pence for the year ended September 2012." That's a whopping 104.8% increase, while earnings per share grew 19% to 62.5 pence per share. The news means that easyJet shareholders will benefit to the tune of 85 million pounds in dividends.