AIRLINES : Other Carriers Match Delta’s Fares to Europe : Travel: The move stepped up a fight that began in April when American slashed business fares and created a simplified ticket structure.

The battle-weary airline industry had little choice but to cut transatlantic ticket prices Tuesday after Delta Air Lines fired the first shot and brought the air fare wars to the European front.

Trying to boost demand for high-priced seats, Delta late Monday slashed fares on its so-called premium tickets--its most expensive.

United Airlines, owned by UAL Corp., matched the Delta cuts, but did so grudgingly. AMR Corp.’s American Airlines also went along. Continental Airlines matched most of the fares.

“We’re puzzled and totally perplexed by Delta’s move because advance bookings to Europe have been very strong,” United spokesman Joe Hopkins said Tuesday.

Analysts said European traffic has been healthy, but more for leisure than business travelers. Transatlantic discounts, initiated by American Airlines, have been available since March on leisure fares.

Atlanta-based Delta announced the first reductions of up to 45% in the prices of business, first-class and full coach fares to 36 European destinations. It left its cheapest advance purchase fares unchanged.

As an example, the round-trip coach fare to Rome from New York drops to $1,500 from $2,616. First-class drops to $4,400 from $5,774.

Delta’s tickets are for travel starting by Sept. 30 and completed by Oct. 14. They require round-trip travel and a maximum 14-day stay.

Delta’s move stepped up a fight that began in April when American slashed business fares and created a simplified ticket structure.

Northwest fired back by offering two leisure tickets for the price of one.

American then halved its lowest fare.

The fare war came as industry losses have mounted, hit by recession, slow traffic and competition.

Delta is hoping to boost premium passenger traffic on the routes it bought from now-defunct Pan Am Corp. The acquisitions made Delta the largest U.S. airline serving Europe.

British Airways PLC has also said transatlantic bookings are strong. However, its chief executive, Colin Marshall, said last month that it will be autumn before real strength moved back into the premium categories of travel.

Trans World Airlines said it did not need to match the cuts because “we’re already down there,” according to spokesman Don Fleming.

Delta said it wants people to know it is the biggest carrier flying to Europe. Analysts saw other motives as well.

“There are too many seats across the Atlantic,” said Goldman Sachs analyst Glenn Engel.

He estimated the available capacity between the United States and Europe this year is up 10% to 15%. “I’m not surprised to see pressure on fares.”

Airlines are making money to Europe, but “profitability on the Atlantic is not what it was last year,” he said.