American Airlines has confirmed that it is considering reducing flights on some Caribbean routes as part of measures to cut soaring costs blamed on high fuel prices. On Wednesday the airline said it will start charging US$15 for the first checked bag and reduce domestic flights. Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey also said that flights from New York and Miami to some Caribbean destinations are likely to be considered for the chop. He said the airline could not afford to keep any routes that are not profitable. Aviation consultant, Patrick Mann said American Airlines is likely to be just the first airline to take such steps. "They are the first carrier that are actually facing up to the problem and the extent to which it is not going to be a temporary problem...something needs to be done and it needs to be done radically," said Mr. Mann. Caribbean tourism ministers have been invited to a special meeting next week to discuss the impact of possible flight cuts by American and other US carriers. The airline had earlier this month announced plans to add a Miami to Grenada route to its offerings. Reprinted from radioja.com