Britain's Ebookers posted a 15 per cent rise in second-quarter gross sales yesterday despite a slow long-haul market in June. The online travel company also said trading in its third quarter was encouraging.
The mid- and long-haul online travel specialist lost nearly a third of its market value last month after it warned it would miss 2004 profit forecasts.Ebookers said gross sales rose to £136 million (€202 million) in April to June, seasonally its weakest quarter, boosted by the fast-growing Travelbag business it acquired in February 2003.
Gross sales represents the total amount it receives from customers for its services. It posted a pre-tax loss for the quarter of £6.4 million from £6.9 million in the same period last year.
In the first six months of the year, pre-tax losses narrowed to £5.2 million from £11.7 million in the first half of 2003.
Chief financial officer Mr Michael Healy said Ebookers expected a pick up in the second half, as Europeans head off to far-flung destinations in search of winter sun. He was optimistic about a recovery in the long-haul market.
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