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Aeroflot Group has recorded a sharp fall in interim pre-tax profits, down more than 80% to Rb2.1b (US$35m) for the first half. The company states that, under local accounting standards, its net profit fell by almost 90% to Rb872m. Aeroflot Group revenues increased by 2% to Rb198b over the 6-month period. But cost of sales rose more rapidly, up 7.5% to Rb188b. The company transported just under 23m passengers – an increase of 16.6% – including 15.2m on primary carrier Aeroflot. Group traffic rose by 18.8%, the company states, with a 2 point rise in passenger load factor to 80.6%. Aeroflot Group had a fleet of 298 aircraft at the end of June 2017 of which 199 were with Aeroflot itself. <br/>

Air France has been handing out virtual reality headsets to some of their business class passengers this month, in a pilot program aimed at recreating the cinematic experience 35,000 feet in the air. Business-class passengers travelling between Paris and St. Martin were the first to test the new in-flight entertainment program earlier in August, in a partnership with Franco-American start-up SkyLights. Thanks to a wraparound design that blocks out any peripheral distractions, the video headset device offers a private viewing experience that simulates a wide-angled, IMAX-like screen. The device can be used to screen a selection of 40 movies in 3D and 2D and also comes with noise-cancelling headsets. Once the trial period ends, the new system could be rolled out on other Air France flights. <br/>