China Airlines sees July uptick

CHINA Airlines has recorded a slight improvement in July’s traffic from June, although it still remains low from last year.
CAL spokesman Bruce Chen said that the decline in cargo load factor slowed to just over -10 per cent from June’s -25 per cent, compared to the same months’ results in 2008.
“Barring any surprises, the company may be able to break even this year,” Chen said adding that this was reliant on the global economic downturn not worsening and for oil to remain at $60 to $70 a barrel.
The airline lost US$986 million last year and its cargo revenue in the first half of 2009 was only $400 million, down 50.5 per cent from 2008. However, the start of direct freighter services between China and Taiwan has given carriers a much need boost.