tumbling by up to 35 percent.

And the $100 fare cuts for flights to and from the US and Canada could also boost tourism.

The sales bonanza -- launched by Delta Airlines on Wednesday and matched yesterday by other major airlines -- applies to trips between September 15 and December 15.

Yesterday Bermuda's acting Tourism Director Mr. Peter Smith applauded the price-slashing spree.

"It could be very stimulating. Over the last two years it has been just what the industry needed to get people coming here,'' he said.

Mr. Smith said the cuts were timely as the early summer tourism boom appeared to be slowing.

"We are looking at ways to make the most of it through advertising.'' Mr. Smith added Government was also capitalising on USAir's reduction on its Boston flight from yesterday through to October.

The cost of the trip had gone down to $198 -- and Mr. Smith hoped other airlines would match it.

"We are taking advantage of it through television advertising in Boston this weekend,'' he said.

Delta's offer gives the biggest discounts to passengers who snap up tickets by mid-August.

Children aged two through to 17 travelling with an adult get another 20 percent off the discounted fare.

Delta manager Ms Jackie Zuill said reductions would amount on average to $100.

For example, a trip to Atlanta will cost $193.

She added passengers had to buy tickets within 24 hours of making reservations.

Some other airlines have let passengers buy tickets on flights three weeks earlier than Delta's discount.

Northwest and American are cutting fares for trips beginning after August 23, affecting the tail end of the peak summer travel season.

The discount programme differs from the typical fare sale by cutting the savings the longer passengers wait to book flights.

Tickets bought between August 18 and 31 will be discounted 30 percent but the fare cut for purchases between September 1 and 15 will be 25 percent.