Flybe has record profit

LONDON (Reuters) - Flybe, the European airline, announced record profit before tax of 35.4 million pounds for the year ended March 31 2008, on Monday, on sales up 46 percent to 535.9 million pounds.

The airline, which became one of Europe's biggest during the year after integrating BA Connect, said its fuel bill, at 24 percent of total costs, was one of the lowest percentage burdens in the industry.

"With one of the most fuel-efficient fleets and a passenger base that is less dependant upon discretionary leisure spend, Flybe is continuing to perform strongly in the current difficult environment," Chairman Jim French said in a statement.

(Editing by Quentin Bryar)