AIRLINES

America West Announces New Fare Cuts: America West Airlines has launched another round of leisure travel fare reductions that could cut the price of some tickets by nearly half, but customers have to act fast. The airline is offering the reduced fares through Dec. 20, but travelers have only until Friday to buy tickets. The reductions require a 14-day advance purchase and a Friday night stay. The deepest discounts are available on Mondays through Thursdays. The discounts could cut the round-trip fare from Los Angeles to Chicago by 11% to $338, or from Las Vegas to Atlanta by 48% to $198. Rival airlines have usually matched the America West reductions in cities where they compete.