British firm BBA Aviation posted a 24-per cent rise in 2006 underlying operating profit today.
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and before restructuring costs and other non-recurring items were £102.8 million, the airport services and engine repair company said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.
Earnings were led by BBA's Aftermarket Services and Systems division where underlying EBIT jumped 43 per cent to £44.6 million.
Revenues rose 9 per cent to £950.1 million.
The company announced a dividend of 8.5 pence versus 11.8p a year earlier in a moved flagged at the time of its Fiberweb demerger.
BBA Aviation was previously BBA Group but changed its name upon completion of the demerger in November 2006.
BBA said it had an after-tax loss for discontinued operations of £76.2 million including the results of Fiberweb until the date of the demerger, as well as for unit Becorit until its sale.