Air France-KLM announced on Thursday its operating income increased by 1 per cent to 415 million euros (573 million dollars) in the first quarter of its fiscal year 2007-2008, DPA reported. Most of the growth resulted from an increase in passenger traffic. Its cargo division recorded an operational loss. Company results were slightly below analysts' expectations. Net income, including non-current income worth 122 million euros, also amounted to 415 million euros. This is an increase of more than 70 per cent compared with the same period in the previous fiscal year and more than predicted by analysts. Air France-KLM revenues grew by 2.5 per cent to 5.945 billion euros. This included the negative currency impact of 2.5 per cent as measured in equivalent available seat kilometres. Passenger traffic contributed some 4.762 billion euros - 3.2 per cent more than during the same period in 2006 - to this amount. Operational income from passenger traffic increased by 9.1 per cent to 396 million euros. The group carried 19.3 million passengers, a 1.4 per cent increase. Total passenger revenues rose with 3.2 per cent to 4.76 billion euros, despite a negative currency impact of 2.6 percent. Although pressure on unit revenues continued, the cargo division saw a 1-per-cent increase in the load factor. The group carried a total of 317,000 tons, a 2.5-per-cent increase compared with the same period last year. Total revenues for the cargo division amounted to 642 million euros, a decrease of 4.8 per cent. The cargo division recorded an operating loss of 17 million euros, compared with a 28-million-euro income in the first quarter of the previous year.
