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Public transport operator Go-Ahead enjoyed a surge in operating profit of 19 per cent in the second half of last year.

Releasing its half-year results ending on December 30th last year, Go-Ahead saw its operating profit before amortisation and exceptional items rise from £46.3 million in the same period during 2005 to £55.2 million a year later.

A 35 per cent increase in revenue to £915.2 million drove the growth, which was mainly experienced by the group's rail and bus divisions.

Go-Ahead's aviation services division, which include cargo-handling, baggage-handling and customs clearance, were hit by the disruption of normal services last summer following heightened security restrictions. Year-on-year revenues in this sector fell by £15 million and operating profit slumped to just 0.4 per cent.

Despite this increase, Go-Ahead chairman Sir Patrick Brown delivered an upbeat assessment of the group's prospects for 2007.

"The outlook for the second half of the year remains positive with expected increases in bus profitability sustained by a combination of margin improvement, revenue growth and contributions from new acquisitions," Sir Patrick said.

"The performance of the aviation services division is expected to recover in the next financial year as the benefits from this year’s commercial developments are secured."

Shares in Go-Ahead fell steadily during morning trading, losing 0.38 per cent of their opening value shortly before 11:30 GMT.