Ebookers sees first full-year profit

Online travel firm ebookers today unveiled its first full-year profit in 2003 and said that bookings made over the Internet rose by 70% in the first quarter of 2004, compared to the same period a year ago.

The firm said pre-tax profits for 2003 were £1.3m (€1.9m). Including exceptionals and goodwill, the group made a pre-tax loss of £14.9m (€22.7m), compared with a £12.3m (€18.3m) loss in 2002.

During 2003, turnover almost doubled to £521m (€778m) from £274m (€409m).

The announcement of the company's improving finances comes after many of the firm's customer service functions were offshored to India.

Internet bookings for the first quarter of 2004 rose 40% in the UK, and 107% in the rest of Europe.

Ebookers, previously the Internet arm of Flightbookers, employs around 40 people at its Irish operations.

Ebookers has a call centre in the Irish Life mall and a retail outlet on Dawson street, Dublin.