US airlines widen losses in first quarter

US airlines net losses were at $1.6bn after tax in the first quarter, falling further from its net loss of $1.2bn a year prior in the same period, according to consolidated first quarter reports filed to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). In addition, US airlines’ pre-tax operating results swung to a loss of $290 million, compared to an operating profit of $32 million a year prior. Total first quarter operating revenues were $56bn in the first quarter, with total operating expenses at $56.3bn. 22.6% of the expenses comprised of fuel costs, totalling $11.3bn, compared to 22.6% in the first