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Virgin Atlantic posts hefty loss but cargo volume rises 6pc on 9pc revenue gain
来源： 编辑：编辑部 发布：2018/04/10 14:50:45
VIRGIN Atlantic has suffered its first loss in four years despite cargo volumes hitting a five-year high, after rising six per cent year on year and cargo revenue increased nine per cent to GBP99.6 million (US$140.02 million) on the back of 230.5 million kilogrammes in transported volumes.
The airline said the westbound business was strong, especially on its new Heathrow-Seattle route, while Africa and India services also saw "strong" volume gains, as did UK-China and UK-US routes despite exchange rate pressure, reported London's Loadstar.
The improvement in its African ventures supported Virgin Atlantic's decision to announce a second daily service between Heathrow and Johannesburg for the end of October.
Director of sales Steve Buckerfield said: "2017 was a particularly strong year for both north and southbound cargo volumes, so the addition of a second daily frequency is great news for us and our customers."
The carrier saw Johannesburg export volumes rise four per cent year on year, with the wider South African market increasing five per cent. The new route will be served by a Boeing 787-9 with 24 tonnes of capacity.
To handle the city's expanding customer base, the airline said it would open a local contact centre. Regional sales manager Johannesburg Laurn Baldwin said: "I am confident these positive developments, alongside our commitment to providing great customer service, will help us deliver another fantastic year for cargo."
Chief executive Craig Kreeger predicted last year that the carrier would struggle for profit as the sterling depreciated against the dollar and he stuck to that line when reporting the GBP28.4 million pre-tax loss.
Reports also have him citing an industry-wide problem in accessing Rolls-Royce engine parts for the airline's Boeing 787 fleet and other challenges resulting from hurricane disruption across the Americas.
In a separate development, Air France-KLM's plans to buy a 31 per cent stake in the UK carrier is pending regulatory approval. The purchase would see the Franco-Dutch carrier become the second biggest shareholder after Delta, which has a 49 per cent stake. Sir Richard Branson, who founded the airline, will retain a 20 per cent equity interest and remain as chairman.
The airline said the westbound business was strong, especially on its new Heathrow-Seattle route, while Africa and India services also saw "strong" volume gains, as did UK-China and UK-US routes despite exchange rate pressure, reported London's Loadstar.
The improvement in its African ventures supported Virgin Atlantic's decision to announce a second daily service between Heathrow and Johannesburg for the end of October.
Director of sales Steve Buckerfield said: "2017 was a particularly strong year for both north and southbound cargo volumes, so the addition of a second daily frequency is great news for us and our customers."
The carrier saw Johannesburg export volumes rise four per cent year on year, with the wider South African market increasing five per cent. The new route will be served by a Boeing 787-9 with 24 tonnes of capacity.
To handle the city's expanding customer base, the airline said it would open a local contact centre. Regional sales manager Johannesburg Laurn Baldwin said: "I am confident these positive developments, alongside our commitment to providing great customer service, will help us deliver another fantastic year for cargo."
Chief executive Craig Kreeger predicted last year that the carrier would struggle for profit as the sterling depreciated against the dollar and he stuck to that line when reporting the GBP28.4 million pre-tax loss.
Reports also have him citing an industry-wide problem in accessing Rolls-Royce engine parts for the airline's Boeing 787 fleet and other challenges resulting from hurricane disruption across the Americas.
In a separate development, Air France-KLM's plans to buy a 31 per cent stake in the UK carrier is pending regulatory approval. The purchase would see the Franco-Dutch carrier become the second biggest shareholder after Delta, which has a 49 per cent stake. Sir Richard Branson, who founded the airline, will retain a 20 per cent equity interest and remain as chairman.