Lufthansa’s 1st quarter net loss improves

Lufthansa’s 1st quarter net loss improves    Germany’s Lufthansa Group posted a first quarter net loss of 98 million euros ($126.5 million), an improvement over a net loss of 116 million euros in the same quarter 2005.
   The group, which comprises Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo and Swiss International Airlines (SWISS), reported an operating loss for the quarter of 75 million euros ($96.8 million), compared to a deficit of euros 26 million in the previous year. Group revenue improved 13.9 percent to 4.4 billion euros ($5.7 billion) from 3.9 billion euros.
   “The result is in line with our expectations. The first quarter is normally weak in the airline business,” said Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Lufthansa’s chief executive officer and chairman.
   Mayrhuber said the group expects full-year operating results to be similar to the 577 million euros ($744.5 million) posted last year.