SES Global reported revenues of 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in 2005, a 17 percent increase over 2004, while profits improved 12 percent to 382 million euros ($456.4 million) in the same period, SES reported Feb. 20. SES attributed the improvement in revenues to continued organic growth, as well as the contribution from the acquired businesses of APS and Verestar and the impact of consolidating Satlynx in April.

Fleet utilization remained stable at 74 percent, with 549 of SES’ 745 commercially available in use, the company said.

“SES’ strategy is further validated by these strong results,” Romain Bausch, SES president and CEO, said in a statement. “Our market positioning has improved and we have achieved excellent returns for our investors during 2005. Strong cash flow generation has substantially exceeded the needs of our investment program. … We have continued to invest in developing satellite-centric service offerings within SES and these have contributed to the financial growth recorded in the period. Their contribution will grow over the coming years.”