Record sales triple Flight Centre returns

he Flight Centre Captain, aka Michael Hackwood, who is a pilot for China Southern Airlines. Photo / Supplied

Travel agency group Flight Centre says net profit more than tripled in 2009/10 amid record ticket sales and improved margins.

Flight Centre reported net profit of A$139.87 million ($176 million) for the 12 months to June 30, 2010, up 266.5 per cent from the previous corresponding period. Revenue rose 4.1 per cent to $1.80 billion.

Flight Centre said it expected the outlook was for profit before tax around A$220 million to A$240 million in 2010/11, compared with A$198.5 million in 2009/10.

"While it is extremely difficult to forecast results at this early stage, we will be disappointed if we don't improve on last year, given the momentum established in 2009/10 in most countries and most businesses," managing director Graham Turner said.

Shop expansion, a modest recovery in airfare yields, the return of the corporate traveller and improved contributions from its India and US businesses were tipped to drive future growth, Flight Centre said. It declared a final dividend of 44 cents.

- AAP