October 31 -- China Eastern Airlines (600115.SH,0670.HK) posted a 4.85 percent year-on-year increase in third quarter net profit to 3.3 billion yuan, with the net profit growth rate lower than that recorded during the first two quarters, reports China Securities Journal, citing a company filing.

The Shanghai-based airline had recorded a 22 percent year-on-year growth in first half net profit to 2.44 billion yuan, bringing total net profit for the first three quarters to 5.76 billion yuan, higher than the 5.3 billion yuan earned for the whole of 2010.

The load factor for the first eight months was up 1.32 percentage points year-on-year to 79.27 percent.

The load factor for domestic routes was up 1.78 percentage points year-on-year to 80.99 percent, while that of international routes hit 75.75 percent, up 0.85 percentage point.

Revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) for international routes increased 19.65 percent, down from the 60.94 percent growth recorded in 2010.

The gowth in RPK for domestic routes declined from 48.05 percent in 2010 to 8.25 percent.

Shares of China Eastern fell 1.03 percent to close the morning session at 4.79 yuan per share.