Virgin Blue reports 62% slump in profit; warns of tough second half

Virgin Blue Holdings reported a 62% slump in first half net profit in the six months ended 31-Dec-2010 (1HFY2010) to AUD23.8 million (USD23.8 million), at the bottom end of the carrier's recently lowered guidance of AUD23 million-26 million. The AUD72 million underlying pretax profit was in line with guidance of AUD70 million-75 million but slightly down a year-on-year basis.