Delta Air Lines’ Loss Widens; Cuts Slated

Delta Air Lines Inc. said its first-quarter loss widened to $466 million as the war in Iraq reduced international travel and increased fuel costs.

Second-quarter results will be “substantially worse” compared with the same period last year, Chief Financial Officer Michele Burns said. Delta said it will lay off 200 pilots by the end of May.

The first-quarter net loss grew to $3.81 a share from $397 million, or $3.25, a year earlier, Delta said. Sales rose 1.7% to $3.16 billion, better than some analysts expected.

Delta shares rose $1.26, or 12%, to $11.75 on the New York Stock Exchange.

* US Airways Group Inc. said it will lay off 890 flight attendants and 59 pilots by mid-June as it trims its flight schedule and staffing levels to match slow demand.

* United Airlines said it sees no need to go through with temporary pay cuts it threatened last month amid war jitters because bookings have picked up slightly and federal aid is about to kick in.