Virgin Blue nearly doubles fiscal-year profit

Australia's Virgin Blue Holdings cited a significant improvement in revenue and yield for a 92.9% surge in net profit to A$216 million ($172.6 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30. Revenue rose 16.3% to A$2.16 billion and yield lifted 8.1% to A11.57 cents. Expenses climbed 9.3% year-over-year to A$1.84 billion, reflecting an increase in flying and a 7.9% rise in fuel price. Operating income soared 41.2% to A$548 million, with A$16 million in one-off expenses dragging on a bottom line ...