Emirates Airline has reported a 52% increase in net profit of $1.5bn in 2010; easyJet has returned first-half losses up 93.7% to £153m ($250m); SAS has announced a first-quarter pre-tax loss of SK.554m ($88.2m).

EMIRATES AIRLINE has reported a 52% increase in net profit of $1.5bn in 2010, with strong demand in the early part of the year offsetting a more challenging second half. In a statement, the Emirates Group said that in total its net profits rose by 42.9% to $1.6bn. Sales revenue for the airline grew by 25% to $14.8bn in 2010. The airline carried 31.4m passengers in 2010, with a passenger load factor of 80% for the period. Emirates currently operates 153 aircraft to 111 destinations in 66 countries.

EASYJET has reported first-half losses up 93.7% to £153m ($250m) on revenues up 8.1% to £1.26bn ($2bn), blaming rising fuel prices, tough economic conditions, cautious consumers and new taxes on passengers. Easyjet said that the rising price of fuel cost the airline £43m ($70.9m) in the period, while increased passenger taxes accounted for another £21m ($34.6m) of its losses. Passenger numbers grew by 11.6% to 23.9m during the period, with 59% now originating outside the UK.

SAS has reported a first-quarter pre-tax loss of SK.554m ($88.2m) against a loss of SK972m ($157.2m) in the same period a year earlier. Airline management said it is still hopeful that the airline will make a profit this year, despite high fuel prices.