Pieter Bouw, the chairman of the new national airline, "swiss", says the number of flight bookings for the second quarter is better than expected.

However, in an interview with the Swiss newspaper "Finanz und Wirtschaft", Bouw was quick to point out that despite the increased booking numbers, losses in the second quarter would be more than in the first.

"We expect that losses will be worse as a result of the heavy start-up costs involved in expanding operations to international destinations," he said.

But Bouw added that results would improve in the third quarter thanks to increased booking numbers, the average amount of money spent per passenger and more efficient business practices.

swiss posted a loss of SFr190 million ($120 million) for the first quarter, some SFr100 million less than expected. Analysts say swiss benefited from a weak US dollar and a strong Swiss franc, saving money as it paid its fuel bill and leasing charges in greenbacks.

swissinfo with agencies

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