VIRGIN POSTS APRIL UPTURN

VIRGIN Australia (ASX: VAH) has posted an upswing in its operating results for last month in light of this year's Easter shift from March to April.

In Virgin Australia’s domestic operations, passenger numbers increased 4.9 per cent and available seats were down 1.5 per cent from the previous corresponding period.

Positive results were recorded for the airline’s international operations, which grounds the total network revenue load factor for the financial year to date at 79.2 per cent, up from 76.1 per cent this time last year.

VAH budget division Tigerair Australia also saw a 21.2 per cent increase in passenger numbers for the month from the prior corresponding period.

While this result came with a 30.5 per cent increase in available seats, this was attributed to the launch of Tigerair Australia’s Brisbane base and a resulting four new routes.