Air China’s 2010 net profit is expected to be more than double the previous year as the country’s passenger and cargo traffic continued to surge.
While no figures were given in a preliminary forecast to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the carrier made a net profit of 5.03 billion yuan ($759.8 million) in 2009.
China’s aviation industry has been boosted by strong economic growth with the number of passengers expected to reach 300 million this year, up from 267 million in 2010.
Air China said: “Benefiting from the rapid growth of the macro-economy of China and the steady recovery of the global economy, the company was able to seize the market opportunity of a strong demand for both passenger and cargo transportation services.”
In a statement, the airline said it had achieved a “substantial increase” in its operating profit in 2010. The company is due to release its annual earnings report in late March.