Domestic and regional airline SA Express would continue with its regional expansion plans, it said on Friday as it announced a 10% increase in its net profit to R250-million for the financial year ended March 31, 2010.

The carrier, which is now led by CEO Inati Ntshanga, noted that it had faced a tough operating environment in the 2010 financial year, as low passenger numbers were recorded.

The domestic airline industry had seen a 2% decline in domestic passenger numbers, but regional air traffic had increased by 3%.

In addition to its Johannesburg – Lubumbashi route, SA Express had also launched Congo Express in February. The airline owns 49% of Congo Express, which, in its first phase, operates between Lubumbashi and Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The airline’s adherence to its stringent cost control measures ensured that operating expenditure was contained and that efficiencies in the business [were] maintained,” added CFO Sikhumbuzo Zulu.

The carrier has also increased its aircraft fleet to 25, up from the previous 23 aircraft.

Ntshanga was appointed CEO of SA Express in August, after former CEO Siza Mzimela stepped down to take over as CEO of State-owned South African Airways.