May 18 (Reuters) - Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (VAH) said on Thursday its third-quarter underlying loss widened from a year earlier due to weak domestic market conditions and short-term costs from steps to simplify its aircraft fleet.
Australia's second-largest airline posted an underlying loss before tax of A$62.3 million ($46.31 million) for the quarter ended March 31, compared with a loss of A$18.6 million a year ago.
Virgin has been struggling with weak demand from corporate customers such as mining companies, as well as government travelers. In February, it reported a 48 percent fall in first-half underlying profit before tax to A$42.3 million.
($1 = 1.3454 Australian dollars)
