Northwest’s Loss Widens on Costs

Northwest Airlines Corp. said its first-quarter loss more than doubled to $396 million as the war in Iraq depressed travel and increased fuel and labor costs.

The net loss widened to $4.62 a share from $171 million, or $2.01, in the 2002 period, the St. Paul, Minn.-based company said. Sales rose 3.2% to $2.25 billion.

Northwest shares fell 37 cents to $7.05 on Nasdaq.