AIRLINES
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
S&P; Lowers Airline Ratings: Standard & Poor’s Corp. downgraded the bonds of four large airlines, saying the industry’s troubles could make it harder for carriers to pay their debts. Standard & Poor’s lowered the ratings for a total of $16.5 billion in debt of AMR Corp., parent of American Airlines; Delta Air Lines; NWA Inc., parent of Northwest Airlines, and USAir Group Inc. The lower credit ratings could force the airlines to pay more interest as they borrow money.
