Merger in the Air

  • How will airline shakeout affect Northwest?
    The nation's seventh-largest airline, US Airways, failed to reach an agreement with its pilot and flight attendants over salary and pension cuts, and declared bankruptcy for the second time. Twin Cities-based Northwest Airlines is negotiating wage concessions with its pilots' union. Do US Airways' struggles provide a glimpse into Northwest's challenges? Piper Jaffray airline analyst Joel Denney says the two share some similarities. (All Things Considered)September 13, 2004
  • The state of the U.S. airline industry
    Northwest Airlines pilots are considering a plan to help the airline cut costs. Competition from low-cost carriers and renewed fears of terrorism present an uncertain future for major airlines.March 16, 2004
  • Mesaba faces loss of jets, revenues
    Northwest Airlines and Mesaba Airlines have agreed to postpone a decision on whether Mesaba will keep its fleet of jet aircraft. The issue of the 30 regional jets complicates Mesaba's contract negotiations with its pilots union, as a strike deadline looms less than a month away.December 12, 2003
  • Northwest management wage cuts on hold
    Northwest Airlines says it will not cut managers' pay in July, as many union leaders and others expected. Northwest says the five to 15 percent pay cuts are on hold until at least one major union agrees to concessions. Unions say that could actually make those discussions more difficult.June 26, 2003
  • Northwest Airlines reports losses, cuts more
    Northwest Airlines said Wednesday that its losses soared nearly 132% in the first quarter as the war in Iraq and higher fuel costs battered the travel industry. Chief Executive Richard Anderson said he saw no signs of improvement, and more cost-cutting was ahead. The airline industry is also experiencing a slowdown in international travel as people fear the recently discovered illness Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS.April 16, 2003
  • Northwest's role in Minnesota economy diminishing
    Although Northwest Airlines is a substantial player in Minnesota commerce, economists and airline consultants say the company's financial woes aren't likely to make or break the state's economy.April 9, 2003
  • Governor, NWA workers decry pay perks for airline execs
    Eagan-based Northwest Airlines is taking heat from laid-off workers, union leaders and even Gov. Tim Pawlenty over executive pay increases. Last week, Northwest announced it was cutting nearly 5,000 jobs due to the war in Iraq. Less than a week later, the company disclosed its two top executives saw pay increases last year totalling nearly $2 million, a year the company lost almost $800 million.March 27, 2003
  • Airlines facing uncertain future
    More major airlines are expected to cut flight schedules and jobs this week as the slump in travel bookings because of the war in Iraq takes a toll on the airline industry. Northwest Airlines announced on Friday that it is laying off about 4,900 employees. The company says it is also reducing its flight schedule by about 12 percent and pulling 20 planes out of service. Flight attendants, mechanics, customer service agents, and pilots will be among those laid off. MPR's Perry Finelli talked with Daryl Jenkins, director of The Aviation Institute at George Washington University.March 24, 2003
Merger in the Air photo by Michael Carter

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