LONDON (AP) — Virgin Atlantic Airways said yesterday that full-year profit excluding exception charges rose nearly 17 percent despite volatile fuel costs.

For the year ending February 28, the airline reported a net profit excluding exceptionals of £45.0 million ($71.1 million), compared to £38.6 million in the previous year, said Paul Charles, the airline's director of communications.

Pretax profit nearly doubled to £68.4 million, the airline said.

Sales, including for tour operator Virgin Holidays, rose 8.4 percent to £2.6 billion.

The number of passengers rose 1.2 percent to 5.77 million.

Virgin Airways is privately held, with Singapore Airlines holding a 49 percent stake and Richard Branson's Virgin Group having 51 percent.