Tarom losing streak to end in 2005

The national air carrier Tarom is supposed to become profitable in 2005, after having posted some $27 million losses this year, $6.5 million lower than anticipated, Alexandru Szlivka, general manager of the company said. “Our business plan shows we should log $19.5 million in losses next year. However, we estimate they will stop at $14-$15 million,” Szlivka added. Tarom managed to cut losses to $38 million in 2001, down from the $62 million posted in 2000. It also logged $185 million turnover in 2001. Szlivka specified the company will operate more flights to Western Europe, in a bid to revive its sagging finances. “We will increase the number of flights to Paris to 14 a week and introduce daily flights to Rome, Madrid and Brussels,” the Tarom official added. Szlivka mentioned Tarom had leased three ATR planes to Egypt Air for six months, which contract was making the company  “good money.” ZF