Iberia's third quarter operating profit increases 257% to 393.6 million euros

In the third quarter, Iberia posted net earnings of 372.5 million euros, which was 285 million euros more than the 87.5 million recorded in the same quarter last year.Operating profits came to 393.6 million euros, representing a 257% increase from same-2004. In the first nine months of the year Iberia posted consolidated net earnings of 401.8 million euros, up 167.8% from the same period of last year. Operating profits, which do not include non-recurring items, came to 109.2 million euros in the first three quarters of 2005, which was 33.5 million euros or 23.5% less than the figure for the same period last year.