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Flight Plan: The NWA-Delta merger

NWA, Delta employees seek oil-price action

Last update: July 02, 2008

Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines haven't merged yet, but their employees are working together to urge Congress to take action to bring down oil prices.

Delta has created a website, headlined "Fighting America's Oil Crisis," that helps employees e-mail their lawmakers to express concern about "loopholes that allow run-away speculation in the oil trading markets."

In the first 48 hours of the campaign, nearly 10,000 e-mails were sent by Northwest and Delta employees and retirees clicking on capwiz.com/delta/home. Next week, Northwest and Delta customers will be asked to join the grassroots effort.

"The airline industry's fare and fee increases are a direct result of these record oil prices, so we expect a good response from [customers] as well," Northwest spokeswoman Tammy Lee said Wednesday.

Delta's Kent Landers estimated that more than 100,000 messages will be generated by Delta customers and employees.

The chief executives of both airlines were in Washington in recent days to press politicians for quick action to rein in energy speculators.

LIZ FEDOR

Pilots expect seniority list by Nov. 20

Pilots from Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines are expected to have a blended seniority list by Nov. 20, the Northwest pilots union said in a Wednesday update.

NWA pilots draw firm line on pay parity with Delta

Delta executives came to St. Paul to listen to Northwest pilot concerns and define Delta's goals in a merger.

More from this series:

Delta exec: Oil price spike won't derail NWA merger
Delta also intends to grant voluntary buyouts to more than 3,000 workers.
Video: NWA CEO talks about merger
Northwest Airlines' CEO Doug Steenland talked to the media about plans for the Delta merger April 15 at the airline's headquarters.
Internet link: NWA-Delta merger blog
Pilots union leaders at Northwest Airlines are getting a visit today from two top Delta execs, including President Ed Bastian.
Internet link: News on the merger from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Get the latest merger information from the newspaper that covers Delta and its headquarters.
Delta attendants turn down union in Round 1
Delta fends off organization of its flight attendants, but that may change under a proposed merger with Northwest.
Oil up, airfares up
First, bankruptcies, now the oil crisis. Airlines are back in rough financial waters - and raising airfares. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines on Friday matched domestic fare increases of as much as $60 per round trip that were initiated by United Airlines. Northwest Airlines was considering the fare increase.
Even one checked bag may cost you
American Airlines wants some fliers to pay $15 to check a bag. It's the latest charge levied as fuel costs rise.
Poll finds support for NWA merger
Minnesota politicians have been ringing alarm bells for months about the potential harm to fliers and workers that could result from a merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines, but only about a third of state residents surveyed this month said the federal government should block the merger.
Passengers give low marks to airline service, survey says
Fliers, frustrated by high fares, full airplanes and a lack of amenities, gave the airline industry its lowest customer rating in seven years, in a national survey to be released today.
Northwest executive to leave before merger
Neal Cohen rejoined the carrier before its bankruptcy, and was a controversial figure in the eyes of labor unions.
Antitrust review is the next step for Delta and NWA
In a Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday, friends and foes of a Delta-Northwest merger continued to press their cases. Experts say the Justice Department is unlikely to block the deal.
Steenland: State will retain most NWA jobs
Northwest's CEO said that high oil prices, not a merger with Delta, provide the greatest threat to airline consumers and employees.
Regional airports above merger fray
Economic forces are likely to have stronger effects on the future of the smaller airports than would a combined Delta-Northwest carrier.
NWA and Delta execs vow to keep many Minnesota jobs
Delta and Northwest CEOs told senators they'd safeguard thousands of Minnesota jobs in a merger, but warned of unforeseen developments such as significantly higher fuel costs.
Delta-NWA merger gets new support
A consumer group is to testify in favor of the Delta-NWA merger today, saying the present industry "stinks."
Delta exec to answer questions
President and CFO Ed Bastian agreed to come to St. Paul to address lawmakers' concerns about the NWA buyout.
Steenland's payout after NWA-Delta merger: $18.3 million
If the Delta merger takes place this year and NWA disappears from the sky, Doug Steenland could land in style with a pay and severance package worth $18.3 million.
Delta not moving HQ north, legislators hear
Members of the House Commerce and Labor Committee got that message Friday as they got their first chance to ask questions about repercussions of the Northwest Airlines merger.
Would merger boost MSP hub?
In appearances before Congress, the chief executives of Northwest and Delta spoke of the benefits to consumers of a strong merged airline, while critics raised the specter of diminished competition and its consequences.
Big losses boost case for Delta, NWA deal
Congress will hear how the two carriers have lost $10.5 billion. The airlines intend to pass high fuel costs along to consumers.
Tuesday: NWA, Delta CEOs say regulators' merger OK can be won
Delta's and Northwest's chiefs are in Washington for meetings and hearings about antitrust questions surrounding their deal.
Major Northwest operations will stay in Minnesota
The CEOs of Delta and NWA say a merged airline would retain its Eagan pilot training facility, Minneapolis and Chisholm reservation centers, and Twin Cities-based pilots and flight attendants.
Audio: NWA, Delta CEOs talk merger
Northwest Airlines' CEO Doug Steenland and Delta CEO Richard Anderson answer questions from Star Tribune editorial writers. These are excerpts from their answers.
Oberstar wants to run out the clock on merger
The influential Minnesota congressman doesn't like the NWA-Delta deal. Though there's little Congress can do to stop it, that doesn't mean he won't try.
Like that new-plane smell? It'll be a while for new Delta
Combined, Delta and Northwest would have a mammoth fleet to deliver on the promise of a single U.S. carrier capable of connecting the world. But those 1,097 aircraft could also be a mammoth headache to manage.
WorldPerks affinity cards could fly into Delta sunset
The WorldPerks Visa card may be just a piece of plastic. But to Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank, it's worth tens of millions of dollars, and that big bundle of money is at risk with the proposed Northwest Airlines merger with Delta Air Lines.
Will travelers get stuck in fallout from Northwest-Delta merger?
Travelers already are on alert about summer flight hassles, but the NWA-Delta deal and any fallout just raised the stakes.
Video: NWA pilots oppose merger
Dave Stevens, chairman of the Master Executive Council of NWA, spoke on behalf of the pilots regarding their opposition to the merger with Delta Airlines.
Questions, answers for travelers
Video: Merger gets mixed reviews
The NWA-Delta merger has travelers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport wondering whether fares will decrease, routes increase and where will jobs land.
NWA-Delta merger skeptics emerge
Delta and Northwest executives market their merger deal, but Wall Street, politicians and employees are cool.
NWA, Delta CEOs vow 'strong presence' in Minnesota
Delta CEO Richard Anderson and Northwest CEO Doug Steenland said in a joint interview with the Star Tribune that the merged carrier would preserve a strong presence in Minnesota. More details will be released at a 9:30 a.m. news conference today.
Photo gallery: NWA: Long history in Minnesota
Northwest Airlines was founded in 1926, and moved to St. Paul's Holman field in 1930. With the merger of Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines, a new era begins.
This merger won’t be the last one for U.S. airline industry
The merger is unlikely to be the last for the U.S. industry, under siege by oil prices and foreign airlines.
Neal St. Anthony: A look back as we say farewell, Red Tail
The economics of the airline industry keep changing. But this time it's costing Minnesota its home-grown wings.
NWA's 82 years plying the skies
1926 Col. Lewis Brittin founds Northwest Airways as a Michigan corporation to carry air mail from the Twin Cities to Chicago. Operations are based at Speedway Flying Field on the site of today's Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Northwest and Delta get closer to destination
The long-discussed merger between the airlines may be formally announced as early as Tuesday, a source says.
NWA pilots to discuss Delta merger options on Sunday
Delta's new deal with its pilots suggests a merger announcement could be on the horizon, but seniority conflict lingers.
Video: Pawlenty, legislators concerned over merger
Governor Tim Pawlenty was joined by DFL and Republican legislative leaders at a news conference Feb. 18, where he said that he is concerned about the potential merger of Northwest and Delta Air Lines.
Wednesday: NWA merger now hinges on vote by Delta pilots
Union leaders will meet today to consider new contract terms that would apply strictly to the Delta pilots. If the proposal is approved, it likely would allow Delta and NWA to announce a merger as early as next week
Northwest to cut flights 5% because of high fuel costs
The Eagan-based carrier plans to take 15 to 20 airplanes out of service, beginning with two old fuel-guzzling DC-9s in June. The carrier also hopes to cut jobs through attrition.
NWA urges Delta to consider merger
A deal stalled after the pilot unions failed to reach an agreement on seniority. Northwest wants to move forward, settle the issue later.
Merger plans grounded, Northwest focuses on survival
With the Delta deal on the back burner for now, NWA is working on ways to keep going alone. The high cost of fuel is causing immediate pain.
NWA-Delta merger 'on life support'
Even though the airlines' pilots can't agree on a seniority list, airline observers say a merger could simply be placed on hold.
Northwest pilots try to keep Delta merger deal alive
Meanwhile, Delta's management pressed ahead with an aggressive plan to combat high oil prices, including cutting 2,000 jobs and slashing Delta's domestic flight capacity by 10%.
Pilot seniority dispute jeopardizes NWA, Delta merger
The boards of directors of Delta and Northwest are expected to meet in the coming days to discuss whether the pilots' standoff -- they can't agree on a list that would define seniority rankings -- is a deal killer.
Fuel prices force Delta to alter its flight plans
The airline, with its Northwest merger deal on hold, will cut some domestic flights on top of raising ticket prices for its customers.
NWA, Delta shares fall to historic low
Soaring oil prices and an analyst's bleak outlook send the airlines' stocks down 16 percent.
Could oil prices break or seal NWA-Delta merger deal?
Northwest and Delta leaders must adapt to record oil prices as their pilots struggle with seniority issues.
NWA: Oil price a 'budget breaker'
Record high fuel prices increase the pressure for a Delta-Northwest merger. The deal awaits a combined pilot seniority list.
Is Delta-Northwest merger a route to global survival?
A Delta-Northwest merger would be designed to build a network that could withstand high oil prices and intense competition.
Pilots in a position to make or break deal
Despite the immense challenge, a solution could still be found to resolve the seniority conflict between the Northwest and Delta pilots that's blocking a merger announcement.
Pilot talks in holding pattern for one week
Northwest Airlines pilot leaders say they will not trade seniority rankings in exchange for pay raises in any merger.
Delta CEO: Merger goals unmet
Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson told his employees that he has not proceeded with a merger because Delta still doesn't have a deal that meets all of its goals.
Clock starts ticking on pilot merger negotiations
After seeing Northwest and Republic pilots clash, Richard Anderson wants to solve seniority-list issues before a Delta-Northwest deal.
Steenland: Odd man out?
Doug Steenland's relentless drive to cut costs and his tough negotiating style may cost him the top job at a merged Northwest-Delta.
Pilot conflict keeps NWA-Delta merger plan on hold
Northwest union leaders are adamant that the seniority of their pilots be protected when the two airlines are blended.
NWA-Delta merger deal ready for airlines to sign
But the announcement is on hold because pilots haven't agreed how to blend their seniority lists.
Pilot seniority clash holds up merger
Northwest and Delta pilot leaders have said they could support the right deal, but the solution for merging seniority lists eludes them.
Pilot seniority could delay NWA-Delta merger
Union leaders at Northwest and Delta struggle over meshing their workforces.
Pawlenty open to talks on NWA bond pact
The governor's position on renegotiating NWA agreements depends on "how fairly'' a Delta merger treats Minnesota.
Amid NWA merger rumors, Pawlenty cancels trip
The possibility of an imminent merger announcement by Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines has led Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty to cancel an out-of-state trip.
Neal St. Anthony: Merger advice from a man who's been there, done it right
The Wells Fargo chairman also said a combined Delta-NWA should focus more on growing revenue than cutting costs.
NWA, Delta near final phase of merger talks
Their boards are expected to meet soon. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is striving to keep the headquarters in Minnesota.
NWA CEO likely to leave upon merger
Northwest Airlines CEO Doug Steenland is not expected to hold an executive post in the combined company if NWA merges with Delta Air Lines. Delta's CEO Richard Anderson would head the combined carrier.
Attendants at Delta request vote to join labor union
The Delta attendants' organizing election has surfaced as Delta and NWA are moving closer to a merger deal. Northwest's 8,500 flight attendants are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants and Delta's 13,500 attendants would be voting on whether to join the AFA.
IAM leaders leery of NWA-Delta merger
Northwest ground workers' union is the first to criticize the proposed alliance. Their Delta counterparts are nonunion.
Most jobs likely to survive a Delta-NWA deal
Delta seeks to craft a merger that could win support from employees of both airlines. If the Eagan HQ closes, Delta may still keep a significant presence here.
Customer service often lost in mergers
Lost baggage and flight delays have been the norm in airline mergers for years. Could NWA-Delta break the trend?
NWA nearly breaks even
Rising fuel prices were the main driver behind Northwest's loss. The airline expects strong results as it expands internationally in '08.
European partners could help shape NWA-Delta deal
KLM and Air France could build on their alliances with NWA and Delta by buying a stake in a potential combined airline.
Airport hub is seen as a prize in any NWA merger
Minneapolis-St. Paul International makes plenty of money, analysts say, so no airline would change its status.

Flight Plan: The NWA-Delta merger

NWA, Delta employees seek oil-price action

Read more...

Pilots expect seniority list by Nov. 20

NWA pilots draw firm line on pay parity with Delta

More from this series: