The phones have not stopped ringing at American Airlines' local office since the company announced a fare sale.

The airline's local general manager, Carol DeCouto, said people were having trouble getting through to the company's 1-800 number so they were calling the local office.

"I haven't done anything but book reservations today,'' she said. "We're back to as normal as we could be.'' The fare sale was announced as a move to bring back disgruntled passengers following threats of a pilots' strike which ended up lasting all of 24 minutes.

US President Bill Clinton intervened at that point and ended the strike but it could flare up again in 60 days after a presidentially appointed board studies the dispute.

Fares have been slashed by as much as 50 percent. Conditions require that tickets be purchased by March 3 and be used for travel by May 31.

Mrs. DeCouto added that she could not supply reservation figures yet as calls were being directed through one of five reservations systems in the US.

The airline's single flight to the Island seems to be holding its head above water, she added.

Mrs. DeCouto said it was difficult to compare passenger figures to this time last year as it was still early days yet.

Yesterday morning's flight to JFK International, New York, only had 55 of its 188 seats filled. This was low for this time of the year, she admitted.

But Sunday night's 188-seater flight from JFK International Airport in New York arrived with 141 passengers on board, which was above average for this time of the year, said Mrs. DeCouto.

Delta Air Lines yesterday announced it was offering special fares on its direct route to Boston and to New York via Boston.

Fares have been slashed to $152 for midweek travel to Boston and $188 on weekends.

Those travelling on Delta to New York via Boston will pay $159 during midweek and $195 on weekends.

Tickets for the special fares which end on May 31 must be purchased by March 3.