IN BRIEF : Eastern May Sell Some Routes

Eastern Airlines, which has been cutting operations in a bid to stem losses, is holding talks with USAir Group Inc. on the sale of some Eastern gates and routes in Philadelphia, the companies said in separate announcements today.

Eastern confirmed that talks, which would include the sale of routes from Philadelphia to Toronto and Montreal, are under way with an unidentified carrier, while USAir said separately that it was the interested party.

Industry sources told Reuters on Wednesday that Eastern is close to selling its Philadelphia operations to USAir for about $80 million.

Eastern said today that its plans call for the airline to operate from other gates in Philadelphia and to build an additional gate.

The negotiations have not been concluded and there is no assurance that they will be, Eastern said.