(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 8 mag - International Airlines Group (IAG), owner of air carriers including British Airways and Iberia, said that in the first quarter revenue rose 1.9% to 7.181 billion euros reflecting continued strong demand for its network and brands.

At a group level in the first quarter IAG increased available seat kilometer (ASKs) by 0.2%, driven by a 19.3% jump in the Asia Pacific region and a 1.9% increase in Latin America and the Caribbean, while all other regions were negative.

Passenger revenue per ASK (PRASK) rose 3.5% and by 8.2% at constant currency.

Around 3% of IAG's capacity was exposed to the Gulf region prior to the start of the conflict, which was operated mostly by British Airways, with smaller amounts by Iberia and Vueling.

Operating profit before exceptional items jumped 77.3% to 351 million euros with a margin up by 2.1 percentage points to 4.9%.

Adjusted earnings per share rose 56.5% to 3.6 euro cents.

IAG said it was well hedged for jet fuel for the rest of the year at 70%. However, it warned that if the current conflict continues to restrict flows of both crude oil and jet fuel from the Middle East, there is the potential for supplies of jet fuel to be restricted on a global basis. IAG is engaging with governments in each of its home markets as well as with the EU to ensure that the industry is getting the support it.

needs to navigate this situation.

(RADIOCOR) 08-05-26 08:47:35 (0176) 5 NNNN