Regional carriers reported a 3.6 percent operating profit in Q407, down from a 7.5 percent profit margin in the fourth quarter of 2006. The seven regional carriers reported a $93 million operating profit in the fourth quarter of 2007, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. This operating profit cam as the seven network carriers reported a combined operating loss of $274 million in the fourth quarter for the group’s first loss after six consecutive quarterly profits. In the fourth quarter of 2006, the seven network carriers’ operating profit was $392 million.
A group of 20 selected network, low-cost and regional airlines reported a system operating loss margin of 0.02 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007, the first loss after six consecutive profitable quarters, according to BTS’s preliminary data. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the profit margin in the October-to-December period was the first loss since the first quarter of 2006. The industry’s larger airlines, the network carriers, reported an operating loss margin of 1.1 percent. For a complete report see the May 26 issue of Regional Aviation News.