"Very good results in 2Q": Air France KLM

Air France KLM has shared that its second quarter operating earnings were up
7.8 percent to $731 million.

Air France-KLM  reported a 48 percent drop in second quarter net profit,
reflecting exceptional gains a year earlier. Without that effect, second
quarter net profit rose 26 percent and the airline confirmed it expects
significant growth this year.
   
"The first quarter was excellent, the second was very good," said Pierre-Henri
Gourgeon, deputy chief executive of Air France KLM. "Reservations for coming
weeks are completely in line with the strong activity of the first half. This
enables us to confirm our target for a significant increase in (2006-07)
operating profit compared to 2005-06," Gourgeon said.
   
As per the information available, its been shared that its net profit fell to
euro374 million (US$481.9 million) in the July-September period, down from
euro717 million a year earlier, when earnings were boosted by a euro530 million
exceptional gain, including the sale of a stake in online ticketing service
Amadeus. Revenues for the period were euro6.13 billion (US$7.9 billion), up 8.7
percent from euro5.64 billion.
   
In a statement, Air France-KLM reiterated its outlook for a "significant
increase" in operating profit in the year ending March 31, 2007, compared to
the euro936 million it made last year.
   
The board of directors of Air France-KLM, at a meeting chaired by Jean-Cyril
Spinetta, examined the accounts for the first half of financial Year 2006-07.
   
Jean-Cyril Spinetta made the following comment on the results: "Thanks to the
merger Air France-KLM is a market leader and benefits from a unique competitive
position, which is contributing to the continued improvement in our results.
During the First Half, we have further improved our profitability while
continuing to strengthen our financial position. Based on current positive
trends, I am confident that we will achieve our target for the full year of a
significant rise in operating income relative to last year."