Delta Air Lines announces fare cuts meant to bring back customers

ATLANTA (AP) _ Delta Air Lines is expanding its program to simplify fares today in an effort to woo business travelers who will pay as much as 50 percent less for their tickets. <br/><br/>Delta announced

Wednesday, January 5th 2005, 10:03 am

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) _ Delta Air Lines is expanding its program to simplify fares today in an effort to woo business travelers who will pay as much as 50 percent less for their tickets.

Delta announced its plan in a statement and two-page ad in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Atlanta-based airline will cap its price for a one-way fare in coach class at 499 dollars and 599 dollars one-way in first class.

Delta also is eliminating the requirement to stay over on Saturday to get the lower fares.

Delta's shares sank nearly six percent -- falling 42 cents to six dollars and 89 cents in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

A spokesman agreed that the business travelers will see the most benefit from the airline's changes, but he stressed that the fare structure is getting simpler to allow it to complete better with discount carriers.