BUZZ-Low-cost airlines: passenger numbers on the rise

** Ryanair soars to record highs with easyJet at multi-month highs on increases in passenger nos

** Ryanair raises annual profit forecast for 2nd time in month after passenger nos jumped 22 pct in Nov aided by improvements to customer service

** easyJet posts 3.1 pct rise in Nov passenger figures

** Ryanair & easyJet 1st & 3rd top risers on FTSEurofirst 300, up 9.1 pct & 2.5 pct respectively & among busiest stocks on index

** Keener focus by pair on service has ramped up pressure on higher cost airlines Air France-KLM (Other OTC: AFLYY - news) & Lufthansa - whose board has approved plans to expand its budget flight operations against backdrop of strikes

** STOXX 600 Travel & Leisure index up 1.5 pct, taking rally since late Oct lows to 25 pct as sector benefits from lower oil price

** Airlines extend gains seen Wed when UK Finance Minister Osborne scrapped air passenger duty for children

** TUI Travel (LSE: TT.L - news) up 4 pct Thurs on profit beat & with outlook boosted by coming tie-up with Germany's TUI AG (Xetra: TUAG00 - news)

(RM (LSE: RM.L - news) : tricia.wright1.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)