Emirates produced a net profit of AED 3.4 billion (US$ 925 million), for the first six months of its current financial year ending 30th September 2010. This represents an outstanding 351.2 percent increase compared to AED 752 million (US$ 205 million), for the same period in 2009. "The results for the first half of the 2010-11 financial year are incredibly robust, and reflect Emirates' success in growing customer demand, supported by investment in new aircraft, products and customer service. We continue to invest our profits in growing the business and our healthy financial position enables us to successfully meet all of our financial commitments and raise financing for future aircraft deliveries. Our strong position today is reflective of our ability to adapt, returning us to a vigorous period of growth. With 62 new state-of-the-art aircraft ordered in the first half, we remain well positioned to capitalise on this growth," said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group. Highlighting a positive shift in the aviation sector, Emirates airline has seen a marked increase in passenger traffic, carrying 15.5 million passengers and recording a strong passenger seat factor at 81.2 percent, the highest ever for a first six month reporting period. Premium class seat factors have also risen by 2.6 percentage points, reflecting an encouraging change in the global economic outlook. Emirates SkyCargo has also seen a strong half year performance across the network, posting an increase in revenue of 48.4 percent to AED 4.4 billion, with cargo tonnage up by 23.7 percent to 897 thousand tonnes, compared with 725 thousand tonnes for the same period last year. SkyCargo continues to post steady revenue growth contributing around 17.8 percent of the airline's transport revenue. Emirates' cash balances grew to AED 12.5 billion (US$ 3.4 billion) at the end of September, a significant improvement of 18.5 percent or AED 1.9 billion (US$ 529 million) when compared to 31st March 2010. This increase in the cash balance was achieved after settling capital outflows of AED 2.4 billion, primarily towards aircraft pre-delivery payment and other aircraft assets. During the first half, the airline has also successfully raised financing of AED 4.6 billion (US$ 1.3 billion). Fuel continues to be the most significant expenditure for the airline with operating costs up 22.6 percent to AED 23 billion (US$ 6.3 billion). "Investing in the future and adapting our operations when required is an integral part of our corporate strategy. This flexibility affords us the option of increasing passenger and cargo services on high demand sectors. By following these positive spikes in regional economies we have been able to maximize the use of our fleet to further stimulate revenue," added Sheikh Ahmed.  Emirates' revenue, including other operating income, of AED 26.4 billion (US$ 7.2 billion) for the half-year represented a strong growth of 35.5 percent compared to revenue of AED 19.5 billion (US$ 5.3 billion) during the same period last year. Capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), grew by 13.9 percent, whilst passenger traffic carried measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPK) was up 19.4 percent.(emirates/mar)