American, Northwest Cut Fuel Surcharges

American Airlines, the world’s largest carrier, and Northwest Airlines Corp. reduced fuel surcharges as much as 15% on cargo shipments in the U.S. and internationally after jet fuel costs declined this month.

American’s surcharge will drop to 12 cents a pound from 14 cents for U.S. shipments and to 30 cents a kilogram from 35 cents for international loads starting Jan. 6, the carrier said.

Northwest cut U.S. rates to 11 cents a pound from 13 cents and matched American’s drop in the international surcharge, effective Jan. 16, according to an e-mail news release.

The surcharge imposed by American, a unit of AMR Corp., is adjusted when spot fuel prices fall or rise past certain benchmark levels for two weeks.

AMR shares rose 2 cents to $11 on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of Northwest fell 8 cents to $11 on Nasdaq.