Airbnb turns profitable, expects earnings this year: sources

Washington

LATE last year, as many technology startups were struggling to stay afloat, Airbnb Inc quietly reached a milestone few of its peers had achieved: profitability.

Airbnb became profitable for the first time during the second half of 2016, according to people close to the company. The home and apartment-rental company anticipates that it will maintain profitability in 2017 before interest, taxes and amortisation, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the private company's earnings.