America West Expects to Post Profit in March

America West Airlines Inc. will make money in March, its first profitable month since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and lose about $100 million this year, Chief Executive W. Douglas Parker said.

The eighth-largest U.S. carrier, a unit of America West Holdings Corp., is losing less than $1 million a day, compared with about $5 million a day shortly after the attacks. It will earn money next month as people travel for spring break and Easter, Parker said.

“Don’t take that to mean every month thereafter will be cash positive,” Parker said. Phoenix-based America West last month received a $429-million loan secured by the government, ending the threat of a possible bankruptcy filing.

Shares of America West Holdings rose 2 cents to close at $3.70 on the NYSE.