Singapore Airlines posts Q3 nett profit of R1,7bn

SINGAPORE Airlines announced a 26% rise in earnings for the third quarter despite high fuel prices. Fuel costs accounted for 28,5% of the group expenditure. The carrier’s nett profit to December 31 improved by SGD$98m (R354m) to SGD$476m (R1,7bn), boosted by gains from sale of aircraft and investments. For the period April to December 2004, the group achieved a nett profit of SGD$1,09bn (R3,95bn), an improvement of 194% on the SGD$371m (R1,3bn) nett profit in the same period last year. (Dorine Berger)