Even before shots are fired in Iraq, airlines in the U.S., Europe and Asia yesterday started cutting international routes largely due to a drop in bookings.

From Newark, Continental is cutting its two daily flights to one on routes to London Gatwick and Paris. The airline also will use smaller aircraft on routes from Newark to Amsterdam and Rome. The cuts are planned to be in effect from April 6 through May 1. The airline's Newark-Tokyo flights, which previously operated daily, will be cut to four times per week. It also will reduce frequencies on its service from Houston and Cleveland to London.

British Airways and Swiss International Air Lines became the first two European carriers to announce cuts to their Middle East flying program, in preparation for the expected war. BA canceled its flights to Kuwait after already suspending the Abu Dhabi frequencies, which since February were linked to the Kuwait flight.

Starting tomorrow, BA said it will suspend flights to Tel Aviv, Israel, until the war is over. Swiss is reducing frequencies between Zurich and Cairo from six to four weekly due to low demand.