Taiwan's EVA Airways sees 2006 sales at record high, profits down

"Our chairman (Steve Lin) has said that growth in passenger and cargo segments will lead to all time-high sales this year," said a company official.

"Profits are seen for this year, but higher fuel costs will lead to reduction in profits."

The chairman did not give detailed guidance for earnings or sales.

Lin also pointed to optimism for the industry next year, but he did not elaborate further, the official added.

EVA Airways posted 1.33 bln twd in parent net profit in 2005 on sales of 88.02 bln, according to company data.

In the first half to June of 2006, the airlines accumulated parent sales of 45.13 bln twd, while registering a net loss at 845.02 mln.

At 9:52 am, EVA Airways rose 0.05 twd to 13.00.