The airline says its underlying profit before tax in the three months to December 31 rose 32.2 per cent to $73 million, while the statutory profit after tax jumped to $60.8 million from $49.6 million in the same period a year ago.

Virgin Australia chief executive John Borghetti said strong revenue and yield growth across the group, particularly from the airline’s domestic operation and ongoing improvement in Tigerair Australia have contributed to the positive result.

The group’s first half results are due on February 11.

– AAP