2017.02.1704:31:00UTC+00Virgin Australia first-half profits drop, defers Boeing deliveries

Virgin Australia reported on Friday that its first-half profits dropped by 48 percent, and said it would delay the delivery of new Boeing 737MAX aircraft following the drop in airfares because of tough conditions in the domestic aviation market.

The airline posted an underlying profit before tax of A$42.3 million ($32.55 million) for the 6 months ended December 31, versus the A$81.5 million it reported in the same period a year ago.

On a statutory basis, including restructuring charges associated with a cost-savings programme, it reported a loss of A$A21.5 million, compared with a A$62.5 million profit in the previous year.