United Airlines reports $124 million loss in a quarter marred by grounding of some Boeing planes

United Airlines said Tuesday that it lost $124 million in the first quarter, which it blamed on a three-week grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 9s after a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines Max jetliner in January.

United indicated it would receive far fewer new planes from Boeing this year than it expected, and it has begun leasing Airbus jets to fill out its fleet.

Financial results released by the airline pointed to continued strength in demand for air travel, especially within the United States and across the Atlantic. United forecast better-than-expected profit in the second quarter.

Shares of United rose 5% in after-hours trading.

The airline had its own difficulties in the first three months of the year. Its CEO reassured travelers that United is safe despite a series of events that included a piece of aluminum skin falling off one plane, a tire dropping off another during takeoff, and an engine fire. The Federal Aviation Administration stepped up its oversight of the carrier.