Ethiopian Airlines reported a ETB515 million (US$45.8 million) profit in its fiscal first half ended 31 December, up 9 per cent year-on-year, on a 54.8 per cent jump in operating revenue of ETB6.7 billion. Freight volume doubled to 49,895 tonnes during the first half, year-on-year while passenger numbers grew 19 per cent to 1.5 million. The carrier also purchased two MD-11 freighters and eight Q400s during the period and signed a lease for one B757.