Lufthansa is cautiously optimistic as results are revealed

AFTER ONE of the most difficult years in aviation industry Lufthansa Cargo has charted an optimistic course for the year ahead. After ending the 2001 business year 132 000 euros (R1,1m) in the black from ordinary activities, the airline slightly lifted yields per transported kilometre and managed to raise prices selectively in the marketplace, chairman Jean-Peter Jansen said at the companyÕs annual media briefing in Frankfurt last week. "The companyÕs expanded portfolio of high-value logistics solutions tailored to individual needs has been a major factor in helping it to maintain its average yields despite the steep decline in demand," he said. In the first quarter of 2002 the company lifted pre-tax results to 2.8 million euros, (R25,2m) 15.7 million euros (R141,3m) up on the comparable period last year. Operating results rose by 11.3 million (R101,7m) to 19.2 million euros (R172,8m). In view of the generally positive trend in the three-month period to March, the logistics services provider in the Lufthansa Group is cautiously optimistic.