Avianca Holdings earns net income of $75.3m in first quarter 2013

Avianca Holdings earned a net income of US$75.3m for 1Q-13, an increase of more than US$75m over the profit recorded for the same period in 2012. First quarter operating revenues increased to US$1.11bn, up 5.9% from 1Q 2012 due mainly to a 6.5% increase in passenger revenues driven by an 8.6% growth in passenger traffic over 1Q 2012 figures. Cargo and other revenue increased by 2.5%, primarily as a result of an increase in our Freight and Loyalty revenues. Operating income (EBIT) increased to US$108.1m, a 31.1% increase from US$82.4m in 1Q-12. Excluding special items in 1Q-12 operating income increased by 48.5%. Operating Margin for 1Q-13 rose to 9.7% compared to 7.8% in 1Q-12, primarily as a result of lower unit costs.