British budget airline easyJet said on Wednesday that if fuel prices didn't fall soon, it would make less profit this year than it previously thought.

"First half results will be in line with our expectations, however it is pretty obvious that if the recent significant rise in the fuel price is maintained then our second half profits will be lower than we had previously expected," said Chief Executive Andy Harrison.

The airline said the forward price for jet fuel this summer was currently over USD$1,000 per tonne, and at that level its fuel costs would rise by GBP45 million pounds (USD$90.6 million) in the second half despite 40 percent of its fuel needs being hedged at USD$750 per tonne.

"It is unlikely that such a large and immediate fuel increase could be mitigated in the short term by revenue improvements and cost actions, therefore pre-tax profits for the full year would be below previous guidance," it said.