Bangkok Airways Q1 profit down 22%

Bangkok Airways posted a 22% decline in its Q1 operating profit to THB870m (US$27.6m) as expenses rose faster than revenue. Total revenue for the quarter ended March 31 was static at THB7.79b. Revenue from the airline and airport segments all saw declines, while revenue from the airport-related services and other businesses posted double digit growth. RPKs fell 3.2% despite a 0.8% decline in ASKs. Overall load factor fell 1.8 percentage points to 74.6%, as loads on domestic flights fell while international load factor remained steady. While passenger yield per kilometre was down 1.5% to THB4.72, RASK was up 1.8%, and CASK rose 1.1%. Total expenses were up 3.6% to THB6.92b, as higher fuel, maintenance and personnel expenditure took a hit on the carrier. <br/>