AIRLINES

British Airways Writes Off Part of USAir Investment: The carrier said it is writing off half its $400-million investment in USAir Group Inc., but it voiced optimism that the financial fortunes of the money-losing carrier are beginning to improve. British Airways Chairman Colin Marshall, citing USAir’s improving financial picture, said his company would not have taken the write-off were it not for a requirement in U.S. accounting rules. British Airways has a 21.5% voting stake in USAir.