fares to and from America.

It could signal a mini-tourism boom for Bermuda -- but passengers face a 5 p.m. deadline tomorrow to snap up tickets.

Northwest Airlines triggered the price war by slashing its Bermuda-Boston fare to $163.

It also cut the price of travel to other US destinations, forcing other companies to follow suit.

The discounts apply to passengers to and from Bermuda.

US Air said it was reducing fares to all its American destinations, with a $136 fare to New York.

And American Airlines matched the $163 Boston fare.

Yesterday the Northwest's local general manager Mr. Ron Kattawar described the reductions as "incredible''.

"It is an unbelievable drop. I have never seen anything like it,'' he exclaimed.

On Tuesday The Royal Gazette revealed the Boston fare was as low as $218.

Now it has been cut even further, said Mr. Kattawar.

The cost of round trips from Bermuda to Las Vegas and Detroit has also plummeted to $280 and $191 respectively.

Discounts are for travel from now until December 14.

"The reductions also apply to people flying on the routes out of the States,'' said Mr. Kattawar.

"Obviously, it is good news for Bermuda's tourism industry.'' Northwest Airlines is slashing its fares on travel throughout the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean as well.

Passengers for domestics flights in America can enjoy cut-price fares until December 16.

Mr. Kattawar said the rush to capitalise on the reductions had already started in Bermuda.

"It has actually been very surprising. A lot of local people are calling and buying tickets.'' In addition, Northwest passengers can enjoy new meals.

They will be offered a choice of hot or cold buffet and a dark'n' stormy.

American Airlines yesterday said it would be following Northwest's lead over the Boston route.

"We are matching them at this time,'' said American's local general manager Ms Carol DeCouto.

"The fare is $163, and the tickets must be bought by Friday.'' Ms DeCouto said the fare to Raleigh was $163, and that to New York $136.

USAir said flights to Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston were now just $163.

And the cheapest fare to New York was $136.

"The same conditions that apply to Northwest also apply with us,'' said USAir's customer services manager Mr. Herbie Siggins.

"That is that tickets must be bought by Friday.'' Mr. Siggins added: "We have to follow suit when a trend is set.''