Central European budget carrier Wizz said it increased 2005 passenger traffic by 233 percent to 1.89 million and ended the year with a modest profit.

"Our fiscal year goes to the end of March but if you look at the calendar year, we made a slight net profit," spokeswoman Natasa Kazmer said but declined to provide more financial details.

Wizz, which flies to 19 destinations, primarily connecting eastern and western Europe, said it planned to raise passenger numbers to around 3 million in 2006.

The airline placed a firm order for 12 Airbus A320 and A319 aircraft in September 2005 and took an option for another 12 similar jets.

Late last year it said it had no plans to float for several more years.