BRITISH Airways yesterday reported a 30 per cent rise in third quarter pre tax profits to £104 million sterling, buoyed by an increase in the number of seats sold.

The results took profits in the nine months ended December 31st to a record £534 million up from £429 million a year ago, on sales up 7.2 per cent at £5.924 billion.

Chief executive Mr Robert Ayling said fare levels were hardening as the current overcapacity was taken up by traffic growth.

British Airways passenger yield - the average fare paid for every kilometre flown - rose by 2.3 percent in the quarter.

The airline said the yield was still up by more than 1 per cent after stripping out favourable currency factors.