DUBAI: Flydubai, the low-cost airline which operated the passenger jet that crashed in Southern Russia in March, reported a narrower loss in the first half of 2016, according to a statement posted on the Nasdaq Dubai bourse.

Net loss in the six months to June 30 was 89.97 million dirhams ($24.49 million), from 147.40 million dirhams in the same period last year. Total first-half revenue up 5.4 percent year on year at 2.30 billion dirhams. Passenger numbers up 16.5 percent year on year at 4.9 million.

“We have seen continued pressure on yields due to the uncertain international economic situation set against a backdrop of lower oil prices and adverse currency exchange rates,” Flydubai Chief Financial Officer Mukesh Sodani said in the statement. “We maintain a sharp focus on cost improvement while pursuing our broader goal of expanding our network and our service offering.”

Carrier to receive between May and December 2016 the first eight deliveries of 111 aircraft ordered in 2013. All 62 people on board were killed when a Flydubai jet attempting to land at the second attempt at Rostov-on-Don airport crashed on March 19.—Reuters