Four major U.S. airlines announced reductions in...

Four major U.S. airlines announced reductions in some air fares, only a week after the biggest carriers made sweeping hikes in discount fares. Eastern Airlines and Continental Airlines, both subsidiaries of giant Texas Air Corp., said they are cutting fares to Florida for travel from Jan. 5 through Feb. 15. Delta Air Lines, a close competitor of Eastern in the market linking the Northeast and Florida, said it will match the fare reductions. Northwest Airlines, the nation’s fourth-largest carrier, announced in St. Paul, Minn., that it is taking 10% off its domestic fares for any passenger 62 or older.