PROFITS soared for regional airport owner and property firm, TBI, as earnings from last year's £105 million Belfast International acquisition filtered on to the balance sheet for the first time.

TBI's pre tax profits for the year to March 31st rose by 89 per cent to £19.1 million against £10.1 million previously, with a maiden contribution of £5.4 million from Belfast in the months since it was bought. The firm also owns Cardiff International Airport. Cardiff based TBI added Florida based Orlando Sanford International this May to its portfolio. The company considered future prospects to be encouraging". All Florida flights from Cardiff and Belfast land at the new Orlando airport, and this is viewed as a significant advantage by the firm.