Qantas has returned to profit after announcing a statutory profit of $111 million after tax for the six months ended in December.

In the company’s financial result statement, the Board said that the results were in line with the group’s strategy, despite challenging conditions in international and domestic air travel markets.

Qantas international was the only arm of the Group’s portfolio that failed to return to profit, but had reduced losses by 65 per cent.

The company’s result represents a 164 per cent jump in profitability over the last half-year.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the Group was delivering against all its strategic goals.

“During 1H13 we increased underlying profit by 10 per cent, announced a global aviation partnership with Emirates3, launched Jetstar Japan, reinforced our position in the Australian domestic market, reduced comparable unit costs by 3 per cent4, announced the early repayment of $650 million in debt, commenced a share buy-back and sold non-core assets,” Mr Joyce said.