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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
James Andrews

British Airways owner sees profits collapse by £177million in three months

While other airlines go bust, BA is still making money - but an awful lot less than last year.

International Airlines Group, BA's parent company, said in the first three months of the year profits had fallen €205 million (£176million) to €135 (£117million). That's a drop of more than 60%.

IAG cheif executive Willie Walsh said: "In a quarter when European airlines were significantly affected by fuel and foreign exchange headwinds, market capacity impacting yield and the timing of Easter, we remained profitable and are reporting an operating profit of €135 million."

Looking ahead, the airline said as long as exchange rates and fuel prices stay stable, it expects profits to be in line with last year.

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The trouble with airlines

A string of airlines, from Thomas Cook to Ryanair have seen profits fall recently.

Others disappeared entirely - with WOW Air in administration and Jet Airways grounding all planes indefinitely.

Fuel prices have been blamed by many, but there was also a problem of over-capacity, as too many flights competed for too few passengers.

FlyBe chief executive Christine Ourmieres-Widener said: "The industry is suffering from higher fuel costs, currency fluctuations and significant uncertainties presented by Brexit .

"We have been affected by all of these factors which have put pressure on short-term financial performance."

Ryanair's Michael O'Leary said: "We believe this lower fare environment will continue to shake out more loss making competitors."

The good news is that - for the time being - it means flights are getting cheaper as airlines compete.

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