TWA Cuts Fare for Children Traveling With an Adult : Transportation: Some analysts say the move could trigger another price war.

In a move that could set off another round of air fare cuts, Trans World Airlines on Wednesday slashed summer ticket prices for children traveling with adults.

The price of a round-trip ticket for children aged 2-17 range from $98 to $198 under the TWA promotion, which applies to travel within the continental United States. The tickets, which carry various restrictions, must be purchased by June 2 for travel between June 14 and Sept. 3.

As of early Wednesday evening, no other airline had yet matched TWA’s children’s fares, which rank as among the lowest so far this summer. However, most airlines match discount fares on competing routes or risk losing customers.

The TWA fares will be popular with families, but the promotion could expand into another costly fiasco like last summer’s 50% off sale, said Jim M. Roberts, owner of a travel agency in Rancho Cucamonga.

Last year’s half-off sale started after Northwest Airlines launched a promotion also aimed at families. American Airlines responded to Northwest by cutting fares for all passengers.

“If (competing airlines) opened it up to everybody, it will be just another blood bath,” said Roberts, president of Uniglobe Regency Travel.

TWA, based in Mt. Kisco, New York, expects to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection later this summer.