MONTREAL — Transat AT Inc. says it has made progress on reducing its losses despite difficult market conditions that include higher fuel prices and currency fluctuations.

The Montreal-based travel company says its net loss attributable to shareholders was $8.4 million, or 23 cents per share, in the second quarter of its fiscal year.

This is a vast improvement from a year earlier, when Transat had a net loss of nearly $25 million, or 68 cents per share.

Revenue was down marginally at $884.3 million, compared with $888.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

The promising news comes on the heels of Transat’s winter program launch, which the company is calling its most comprehensive offer of South destinations, all-inclusive packages, all-in-one cruise packages and European holidays.

This winter, Air Transat offers direct flights to 36 South destinations from 22 Canadian cities, including two new destinations – Tampa and San Juan from both Montreal and Toronto. In total, Air Transat will offer a total of 145 routes, nine of which are new, such as Santo Domingo from Montreal, and Punta Cana from Ottawa and Kelowna. Moreover, more flights have been added to some of the most popular South destinations from major Canadian cities, including: Punta Cana, Managua, Roatan and Liberia from Toronto; Liberia and San Salvador from Montreal; and Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun from Vancouver.

Transat’s cruise packages continue to win over clients, with inclusions like roundtrip flights with Air Transat and transfers. Clients can add a hotel stay to their adventure at sea, move up their departure date up to 14 days before their cruise, or postpone their return to Canada up to 14 days after their journey at sea, at no extra cost.

Europe this winter is extra appealing with packages that include flights, hotels at reduced rates and featuring a kitchenette or offering a number of free meals, transfers between the airport and hotel, and more. Clients can customize their trips by combining flights, accommodations, rental cars and à la carte visits.

Direct flights to Lisbon and Porto, Portugal are available year round from Toronto. Transat also offers direct flights between Montreal and Malaga, Spain from January to November, plus one direct flight a week between Toronto and Faro, Portugal from January to April. There are also two direct flights a week between Montreal and Malaga from January to November.

These four routes are available to clients from Montreal and Toronto, thanks to connecting flights between the two cities. Transat also flies to other cities in Europe year round, namely Paris, London, Glasgow and Manchester.

Canadians who book their fall or winter Sun vacations by June 30 will benefit from a number of perks, including: a reduced deposit of only $100; Transat’s Price Drop Guarantee for all-inclusive packages; the option to change their travel dates up to three hours before departure; an upgrade to Option Plus for Luxury and Distinction Collection packages; and a $50 future travel voucher.

With file from The Canadian Press