ATLANTA, March 14 (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc.(DAL) the No. 3 U.S. airline, on Thursday said it would no longer pay base commissions to travel agents for tickets sold in the United States and Canada in a move to cut costs. The change, effectively immediately, applies to all tickets issued by travel agents for both domestic and international travel, Delta said. The policy does not apply to tickets purchased outside the United States and Canada. "In this extremely difficult financial environment, the company must pursue all opportunities to reduce costs, including the cost of distributing Delta tickets," the company said in a prepared statement, citing losses posted in 2001. Atlanta-based Delta said it would continue to pay individually negotiated incentive commissions to select travel agents. The company also noted the cost of electronic ticketing was much lower than selling and distributing tickets through traditional means. Shares of Delta fell 62 cents, or 1.7 percent, to $35.13 in afternoon trade on the New York Stock Exchange. ©2002 Reuters Limited.