Ebookers post profit despite terror

Online travel agent ebookers.com reported a sales revival today after the US terrorist attacks halted its briskest ever trading period.

The pan-European firm, which offers discounted air fares and hotel rooms, said the first ten days of September had been the busiest in its history.

Sales then fell to three-quarters of that level during the remainder of the month as customers put off travel plans following the atrocities.

But October has been a brighter month for the company, with sales currently running at 85% of that recorded in the week before the attacks.Despite the downturn in September, ebookers still reached a milestone by posting its first quarterly pre-exceptional profit.

Chief executive Dinesh Dhamija said: "We are very happy to have achieved profitability despite the events of September 11.

"We have been through and prospered in uncertain times before, such as the Gulf War. We know how to manage costs and are prepared to take strong measures to do so."