Qantas reports AUD192 million profit as the Emirates deal helps long-haul losses halve

Two years into a five year transformation programme, Qantas sees the light at the end of the tunnel, reporting an underlying profit before tax of AUD192 million (USD172 million) for the financial year to 30-Jun-2013 against a backdrop of high fuel costs, excess domestic capacity and intense competition in its international markets.

The result, however, benefits from an AUD134 million (USD120 million) accounting estimate change relating to bringing forward accounting of passenger revenue. Without this adjustment the underlying result would have been AUD58 million (USD52 million).

But Qantas' previously troubled international business is on the mend as the first benefits from the cornerstone alliance with Emirates begin to flow, costs are removed and loss making routes exited as well as aircraft reconfigured and alliances expanded, particularly in Asia.

CEO Alan Joyce stated: "Our financial position has been strengthened by the actions we have taken over past 12 months: reducing debt, extending our maturity profile and taking a prudent approach to capital expenditure". But Qantas has not provided profit guidance for the year ahead as the operating environment in the first half of FY2014 remains volatile.