SHANGHAI: Air China Ltd (ACL), the country’s flag carrier, said its net profit surged more than 720 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2015, supported by lower fuel prices.

The company made net profits of 4.19 billion yuan ($655 million) in the first half, up strongly from 510.37 million yuan in the same period last year, it said in a statement filed to the Hong Kong stock exchange late Thursday.

“The global aviation industry was generally healthy with sustained growth in demand and relatively low fuel prices,” Air China said, adding a recovery in the world economy and a ‘steady’ Chinese economy supported the company.