Lufthansa remains confident after 2003 loss

German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG said today it was confident for 2004 after its business in the first quarter so far had …

German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG said today it was confident for 2004 after its business in the first quarter so far had been more favourable than last year.

"Data available for the first quarter 2004 shows a favourable development compared with the previous year," the airline said in a statement.

Lufthansa earlier revealed a 2003 net loss of around €980 million as it wrote down the value of its catering business Chef Solutions - a unit it wants to sell - by €700 million.

It said it would not pay shareholders a dividend for the year.

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The company said it generated an operating profit of €30 million last year and reduced its debt by €550 million to €600 million.