Ceske Aerolinie records losses of 175 million crowns in first half of this year

The Czech national airline Ceske Aerolinie recorded losses of 175 million CZK (nearly 8.8 million USD) for the first six months of this year. These losses were 77% lower than for the first half of 2006, said the firm's president Radomir Lasak on Thursday morning. The firm, 90% of which is owned by the state, currently stands 182 million CZK in profit, having made more than 350 million CZK in July. Analysts predict that Ceske Aerolinie could make a slight overall profit in two years' time, if it sells off its freight terminal, and its catering services.