ATLANTA (AP) — US Airways Group Inc. reported a $79 million loss for the final three months of 2009, but, like other carriers, sees positive momentum this year.

It also said yesterday it significantly reduced its 2010 and 2011 capital commitments, in part by deferring most new aircraft deliveries. The carrier, based in Tempe, Arizona, said its fourth-quarter loss equalled 49 cents a share, compared to a loss of $543 million, or $4.76 a share, for the same period in 2008.

Without special items the fourth-quarter loss was 20 cents a share. Revenue in the quarter fell 4.9 percent to $2.63 billion from $2.76 billion a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected an adjusted fourth-quarter loss of 50 cents a share on revenue of $2.59 billion. For all of 2009, the company reported a net loss of $205 million, or $1.54 a share, compared to a net loss of $2.22 billion, or $22.11 a share, in 2008. Twelve-month revenue fell to $10.46 billion from $12.12 billion in 2008.