UPDATE: Air NZ delivers record 1H profit on rise in passenger demand and lower fuel costs

UPDATE: Air NZ delivers record 1H profit on rise in passenger demand and lower fuel costs
Fiona Rotherham
(adds extra details and CEO comment)  By Fiona Rotherham Feb. 25 (BusinessDesk) - Air New Zealand posted a record pretax profit in the first half, up 132 percent on a year ago, due to lower fuel prices and a jump in passenger revenue as the country's national airline added new routes and more aircraft. Pretax earnings rose to $457 million in the six months ended Dec. 31, from $216 million a year earlier, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. The company forecast earnings of $400 million, excluding any equity accounting contri...