AIRLINES

American to Cut Aircraft Purchases: American Airlines said it will cut purchases of new aircraft by about $2 billion as part of its plan to reduce capital spending over the next five years. Chairman Robert L. Crandall said the carrier anticipates cutting between $2.5 billion and $4 billion from its five-year-long, $20-billion capital spending program. Last month, Crandall said the airline had decided to trim its capital spending by $500 million and may allow options to buy 209 aircraft to expire.