AIRLINES

Northwest, United Cut Air Fares: United and Northwest Airlines cut fares by up to 27%, matching reductions quietly introduced by America West last week. The cuts on 150 routes apply to tickets bought 30 days in advance, Northwest spokesman Jim Faulkner said, but customers have only through April 14 to purchase tickets. United Airlines, the nation’s second-largest airline, owned by UAL Corp., also said it matched the fare cuts. The discounts are similar to ones Phoenix-based America West, the No. 9 U.S. airline, introduced last week in about 100 markets.