The Spanish lowcost airline, Vueling, announced a €68.1m operating profit during the third quarter of 2009, a 10.2% increase compared to the same period of 2008. In the first 9 months of 2009, Vueling made a €71.9m operating profit, a 21,6% increase compared to 2008.

The company’s revenue during the third quarter was €259.2m, a 68.6% compared to the same period, one year earlier.

During this quarter, Vueling operated 23,630 flights, a whooping 79.7% more flights than same period of last year. Flights not only increased, but more seats were occupied, reaching a quarterly seat load-factor increased of 80% (2.1 increase). What made the difference were travel agents, that added to gross revenue considerably, increasing passenger numbers. They accounted for a third of of Vueling’s scheduled revenue.

As a result of Vueling’s merger with ClickAir, the company became Spain’s fourth largest carrier, after Ryanair, Iberia, and easyJet and leading carrier for 4 out of its 7 bases: Barcellona, Seville, Ibiza and Bilbao.

During this time, Vueling’s fleet increased from from 20 to 35 aircraft, operating 47 airports (25 last year). Total revenue per passenger increased by 1.8% and the average fare per passenger up by 5%.