Cargo demand helps Asiana post strong Q3

Strong cargo demand helped Asiana Airlines swing to an operating profit in the third quarter, the carrier said in a statement.

"Cargo deliveries of semiconductors, displays and automobile parts remained strong, helping the bottom line," Asiana said.

South Korea's number two airline company by sales, reported an operating profit of US$214 million for the three months ended September 30 from an operating loss of KRW29 billion a year earlier.

Sales rose 34 percent in the third quarter. The company said quarterly net profit figures are still under calculation.

Asiana’s revenue was helped by new visa rules stimulated outbound travel to the US and inbound tourism from China.

"South Korea's inclusion in the US visa waiver programme boosted travel to the US and travel demand on short-haul routes to China and Japan has recovered," the company said.

The South Korean government eased visa rules for Chinese nationals this year, boosting the number of visitor arrivals from China.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)