British Airways’ first quarter profits up 71%

British Airways’ first quarter profits up 71%

   British Airways’ net profits increased 71.1 percent in its fiscal first quarter period ended June 30, to '154 million ($291.3 million), from '90 million in the same period last year.

   BA’s first quarter operating profit was up 19.6 percent to '211 million ($399.1 million) from '176 million in the first quarter 2005. Revenues rose 12.5 percent to '2.32 billion ($4.39 billion) from '2.06 billion.

   Cargo revenue improved 11.6 percent to '164 million ($310.2 million) from '147 million a year ago. The airline carried 198 million tons of cargo in the quarter, up 2.6 percent from the previous year.