to America before a 5 p.m. deadline tomorrow.

Some agents said yesterday they had already been hit and had sold dozens of the discounted fares to bargain-hunting residents.

Travel agents said the fares -- from $178 round trip to most US gateway cities -- were the lowest they could remember.

Cuts of up to 35 percent on domestic and trans-Atlantic routes were announced on Monday by Northwest. American, USAir, United and Continental followed suit on Tuesday.

But the five carriers imposed a Friday deadline for buying the special fares, giving travellers less than four days to move.

Darrell Travel Agency manager Mr. William Forbes said the round of cuts were a complete surprise.

Usually the airlines gave travel agents advance notice of any special fares.

But in this case, he said, "They just jumped out of the blue at us from the computer.'' Mr. Forbes said he believed the lack of warning was due to a recently settled anti-trust law suit which established it was illegal for air carriers to advance-publish their fares.

Airlines were looking for a temporary boost in business with the special fares and short buying period.

"We expect to be very busy today and especially Friday,'' he said. "The fares are incredible. They are rock-bottom. You can fly to Honolulu for $575 round trip, San Francisco and LA for $328 round trip, and Atlanta for $184.'' In most cases travel plans have to be completed by June 30 and a three-day minimum stay was required, he added.

LP Gutteridge Travel manager Mr. Macrae Mitchell said the fares were "the lowest in a long time''. The lowest air carriers had usually gone was around $199 (To US gateway cities), he said.

"We have had a lot of inquiries today (Wednesday), but I think there will be more of a rush on tomorrow and Friday. A lot of people are not yet aware of the discounts,'' he said. "They offer a considerable savings, but you have to be sure of your plans because they are non-refundable.'' Vice president of marketing at Meyer Travel, Mr. Carl Paiva, said agents had been "rushed off their feet''.

"We have been extremely busy. We have 20 agents and they have all been selling the special fares.''