Air Malta’s operating loss for third quarter at €4.8 million
National airline halves its operating loss, airline’s revenue reaches €47.7 million.
According to Air Malta's financial results for the third quarter, the operating loss has been reduced to €4.8 million from the €9.8 million registered during the same period in 2011.
The net result position after restructuring costs - mostly one-time charges - and interest costs is a loss of €8.5 million as anticipated in the Restructuring Plan approved by the Commission.
"These results confirm a steady financial progress. During this period the airline has halved its operating loss, increased its revenue, seat load factor and passenger figures over the same period last year," Air Malta said.
"These figures continue to build on the progress registered in the first two quarters of the financial year and show that the airline is on track to achieve its stated milestone of halving last year's €30 million operating loss in the current financial year."
Air Malta said the positive interim results were driven by constant improvements of the airline's revenue (+9.7% to €47.7million), passengers numbers (+3.5% to 377,951 passengers) and seat load factor (+1.0% to 75.1%).
CEO Peter Davies said that despite it being a lean period of the year, results confirm that the airline is on its way to recovery.
"Each and every action we have taken over the past two years was aimed to increase revenue and reduce costs. We are substantially on track in our revenue targets but much more needs to be done to reduce supplier costs," Davies said.
He added that a stronger financial platform allowed the company to enter into its second phase of development which includes a significant overhaul of business processes in the Finance, Cabin and Ground Services divisions.
"This is aimed at developing a more customer- centric experience that will require the vital and responsible role of our employee unions as well as a change in management structure which will be announced next week," Davies said.
"The challenges for Air Malta are still significant and we must succeed, together with all our stakeholders, to achieve our targeted operating break-even figure in the next Financial Year."