Qantas shares take off on strong first-half result

Qantas shares were on the way up in early trading after the airline posted a solid first-half result (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Qantas shares have surged more than seven per cent in early trading after posting a strong first-half result.

The airline's underlying profit after tax surged 11 per cent to $1.39 billion in the six months to December, while its statutory net profit after tax was up six per cent on last year, to $923 million.