AIRLINES

Continental Loss Narrows: Continental Airlines Inc. said first-quarter losses narrowed sharply, and it attributed the improvement to cost-cutting efforts and an increase in passenger traffic. The company lost $30.2 million, or $1.21 a share, in the three months ended March 31. That compares to a loss of $71.6 million, or $2.86 a share, during the same period a year ago. Revenue rose to $1.41 billion from $1.36 billion. Continental said passenger traffic grew 2.8% in the quarter.