US airlines suspend e-fares

Several US airlines say they've suspended internet-only discount fares following last week's terror attacks.

The decision to withdraw from cheaper web-based sales comes as airlines face waves of job cuts and dwindling profits.

United Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways and TWA are among the carriers which have dropped dotcom deals.

It's believed they're seeking to cut costs as travellers shun air travel following the attacks on New York and the Pentagon.

The US airline industry is also calling for a cap on compensation claims from relatives of people killed in the atrocities.

It will receive a bail-out package worth up to £16.3 billion by next week.

The unprecedented package will give the airlines short-term cash worth up to £200m to cover the huge losses incurred after the terror attacks caused hundreds of cancellations.

New restrictions on luggage and passenger check-ins at airports, along with aircraft inspections and other measures, are expected to lengthen the time required to check passengers on to flights in the US.

An American Airlines spokesman said: "We're still offering booking online, but we're no longer offering promotions and special offers because of a directive banning these throughout the operation during the current crisis."