Air India narrows down loss to Rs5,551 crore in 2009-10

National carrier Air India today said its loss has come down by 23% to Rs5,551 crore in 2009-10 from Rs7,189 crore in the previous financial year.

"The net loss of the company has decreased to Rs5,551 crore in 2009-10. In 2008-09, it was Rs7,189 crore," the airline said in a statement, after its board approved the audited financial results for 2009-10.

The operating loss of the company declined by 39% to Rs3,472 crore in 2009-10 from Rs5,672 crore in the previous fiscal, the statement added.

Increase in passenger load factor (PLF), which was 64.8% in 2009-10, was one of the main reasons in reducing the net loss, the airline said.

In 2008-09, the national carrier had a PLF of 59.5%.