US Airways Group, formed from the September merger of America West Airlines and US Airways, on Thursday said it posted a second quarter profit and expects to post profits for the third quarter and the full year.

The combined airline said its profit amounted to USD$305 million, compared with a loss of USD$3 million a year earlier at a stand-alone America West Airlines. For accounting purposes, America West is treated as the acquiring company.

The airline said its operating revenue totaled USD$3.2 billion.

Excluding special items, the airline said its quarterly profit was USD$315 million, compared with a USD$4 million profit a year earlier at the stand-alone America West.

The airlines said the items include USD$35 million of merger-related transition expenses, which were offset in part by a USD$7 million gain from interest income earned on certain prior-year federal income tax refunds.

US Airways said it finished the quarter with USD$3.2 billion in total cash and investments, of which USD$2.2 billion was unrestricted.