Airfares dropping as holidays approach

Holiday travelers are getting an early present.

Airfares are dropping.

According to Rick Seaney at Dallas-based FareCompare.com, Northwest Airlines, which recently merged with Delta, has launched the biggest fare war in more than a year.

Tens of thousands of ticket prices are affected.

Seaney said the new fares are at least $100 lower than they were just days ago, and in some cases, the cuts are much greater.

Seaney said it appears several factors are at work, including lower jet fuel prices and fewer travelers booking tickets because of the economic crisis.