The chief executive of struggling carrier Air Berlin is optimistic for an improvement in earnings this year after yields and profits increased in the third quarter.

"We continue to be optimistic that we will achieve a year-on-year improvement in our yields and operating earnings in the current financial year," Stefan Pichler wrote in the company's third quarter interim report published on Wednesday.

Air Berlin, which is cutting routes and harmonising its fleet in a bid to reduce costs, said more charges for restructuring could come in the fourth quarter.

Air Berlin, 29 per cent owned by Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad, said late Tuesday that its earnings before interest and tax rose 8.7 per cent. Yields rose 3.7 per cent in the quarter. - Reuters