BA owner IAG reports strong profits

Image source, Getty Images

International Airlines Group (IAG) has raised its full-year profits forecast after seeing strong growth in the last three months.

for July to September of 鈧1.1bn ($1.2bn; 拢792m), up 48% from last year.

The company owns British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, and bought Aer Lingus earlier this year.

IAG announced on Thursday that it would be paying its first dividend, which will be 10 euro cents per share.

It has not paid a dividend since the company was created in 2011 by the merger of BA and Iberia.

It has slightly raised its forecast for operating profits for the full year to a range of 鈧2.25bn to 鈧2.3bn, having previously said it would be over 鈧2.2bn.

Analysts had been expecting strong results from the airline group and shares fell 4% in early trading in London,

Chief executive Willie Walsh said: "We're reporting strong quarter results with a positive contribution from all of our airlines."

On Thursday, Air France-KLM and Lufthansa both reported improving results.

The airline sector has been boosted by low fuel prices and recovering demand for air travel.