Thomas Cook H1 loss widens, full-year on track

14th May 2009 07:29

Travel firm Thomas Cook said it is on track to meet full year exceptions despite reporting a wider pre-tax loss in the six month ended March.Pre-tax losses widened to £280.4m compared with £233.2m last time, while revenue rose 12.6% to £3,484.3m. The group also upped its interim dividend by 15.4% to 3.75p per share.The group said current trading for the Summer season is robust despite the tough economic conditions, with selling prices up and margins in line with expectations. "We remain confident that we are on track to meet our full year expectations," said chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa."Our confidence is underpinned by our proven ability to manage capacity and costs as well as driving synergy improvements and implementing contingency measures as appropriate. "