WELLINGTON, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Air New Zealand's AIR.NZ half-year net profit after tax jumped 154 percent to NZ$338 million ($225 million), the company said on Thursday.
The performance was driven by the airline adding domestic and international flights amidst record tourism to New Zealand, while low fuel prices had also lowered the company's costs.
CEO Christopher Luxon said in a statement that the company would continue to build its presence in Australia and launch new services such as seasonal flights to Vietnam in June.
The airline said it is targeting earnings before tax for the full year to exceed NZ$800 million. It also announced an interim dividend of 10 cents per share, a rise of 54 percent. ($1 = 1.5017 New Zealand dollars)