Asiana Airlines widens net loss in Q1 on higher operating costs, weak won

Asiana Airlines, Korea's second-largest carrier, has widened its net loss in the first quarter due to increased operating costs and the weakening of the local currency, the company said Thursday. Asiana Airlines recorded a net loss of 174.4b won ($129.6m) in the January-March period, compared with a loss of 62b won from the same period last year, the company said. Its sales increased 12.1% on-year to 1.63t won, the highest for a first quarter, but the company shifted to an operating loss of 31.2b won from a profit of 92.5b won a year ago. The company said its sales were up thanks to an expansion of its air routes, but its net loss deepened due to higher operating costs from an increase in transportation volume and a weak won. "We have been replacing our planes under a long-term aircraft operation plan," an official from Asiana said, noting the company is pushing to strengthen its hardware competitiveness. Asiana said its profitability is expected to improve in the second half of this year, noting it is working to expand its service in long distance routes to the Americas and Europe and routes to China.<br/>