Airlines flying high in profit

Press, 3 February 1987, Page 12

Airlines flying high in profit

By

LES BLOXHAM

Travel Editor

Only one of 16 international airlines reported a loss In the latest newsletter issued by the International Air Transport Association. Airlines reporting profits were:—British Airways, Stgl4lM (SNZ4OOM); Japan Air Lines (first half 1986), 6NZI3OM; Alitalia (first half), SNZI.SM; Singapore Airlines (first half), 6NZIBOM; Malaysian Airline System (first half), 6NZ44M; Pan American (third quarter), SNZIOM; Trans World Airlines (third quarter), SNZI3OM; Air Canada (third quarter), SNZBOM; Eastern Airlines (third quarter) SNZ3SM; Lan Chile (first nine months), SNZ6M; Scandinavian Airline System, SNZ34OM; Pakistani International Airlines, SNZ74M; Air Malta, SNZ4.SM; Gulf Air, SNZ72M; Thai Airways International, SNZII2M. Cyprus Airways, the only airline in the red in the newsletter, posted a loss of SNZ3M. I.A.T.A. believes that the Asia-Pacific area is one the brightest parts of the air transport picture at present. It predicts that this region will account for more than a third of international traffic by the early 19905. “Airlines in this region are well established and of high repute,” said the association’s director general, Mr Gunter Eser.

“They will make a large contribution to air transport in the coming years and they will want to have a voice in the industry’s destiny,” he said. The newsletter also reported that France was imposing a new airport tax of Fl 0 (SNZ3) to help finance tighter security. The doubling of New Zealand’s landing charges for international flights is also reported.