United Airlines’ Parent Reports $17-Billion Loss

United Airlines parent UAL Corp., preparing to emerge from three years of bankruptcy protection next week, Friday reported a $17-billion fourth-quarter loss -- the biggest ever for an airline.

The loss amounted to $145 a share, compared with a loss of $741 million, or $6.39 a share, a year earlier, the Elk Grove Township, Ill.-based airline said. Excluding the reorganization costs and other one-time items, the fourth-quarter loss narrowed to $297 million from $630 million a year earlier. Sales at United rose 10% to $4.39 billion.