Merger in the Air

  • Northwest merger rumors are flying
    The head of Delta Airlines reportedly plans to seek permission from its board Friday to begin merger talks with both Northwest Airlines and United Airlines. A Wall Street Journal article cites unnamed sources close to the matter, saying Atlanta-based Delta would then choose between the two carriers.January 10, 2008
  • Not just another jumbo jet
    Airbus had its flagship A380 jumbo jet in the Twin Cites Tuesday. Airbus is trying to convince Northwest and other U.S. carriers to add the $320 million jet to their fleets.November 26, 2007
  • Official says United, Delta have discussed combining; airlines deny it
    The Wall Street Journal's online edition, citing unidentified people, said Andersen has informally talked about consolidation possibilities with counterparts at other airlines, including senior executives at United and Northwest Airlines.November 14, 2007
  • Midwest shareholders approve sale
    A majority of Midwest Air Group's shareholders Tuesday approved a $450 million buyout by private equity firm TPG Capital. The sale is still under antitrust scrutiny because the deal includes rival Northwest Airlines as a passive investor.October 30, 2007
  • Northwest turns a profit in third quarter
    Net income for the three months ended Sept. 30 was $244 million as the airline kept fuel and other costs under control, and moved on from its bankruptcy restructuring.October 29, 2007
  • Northwest Airlines upgrades international fleet
    The Airbus A330 that Northwest Airlines flies overseas has all the latest features, but the airline's domestic fleet is one of the oldest among U.S. carriers.October 18, 2007
  • FAA faulted for handling of maintenance concerns during NWA mechanics strike
    The Office of Inspector General says the FAA discounted the concerns raised by one of its inspectors over maintenance practices at Northwest during the mechanics' strike.October 12, 2007
  • Midwest Air says sale delayed
    The sale of Midwest Air Group Inc. to a private equity firm has been delayed, the airline announced, because antitrust regulators want more information on the deal.October 5, 2007
  • Northwest gets tentative approval for route to China
    Northwest has been trying for more than a year to win federal approval to offer service on the route. Now, it's poised to start flying between Shanghai and Detroit in 2009.September 25, 2007
  • Northwest's stake in Midwest would be 47 percent
    Northwest is joining with a private-equity firm, TPG, to buy Midwest. Northwest would pay about $213 million for its stake in the airline, and says it would have no role in managing Midwest.September 14, 2007
  • Suspicious package forces hour-long evacuation at Detroit airport
    The package was reported about 9:40 a.m. at a loading dock of McNamara Terminal, the Detroit hub for Northwest Airlines.September 13, 2007
  • A summer of discontent for airline passengers
    Did your summer air travel take a lot longer than you planned? The head of the Federal Aviation Administration says this has been one of the worst summers on record -- total delays are up 19 percent from where they were last year.August 31, 2007
  • Northwest cuts flight cancellations way back
    It's the end of the month, but Northwest Airlines passengers haven't had to deal with a rash of flight cancellations. The airline seems to have solved the problem of month-end spikes in cancellations, at least for this month.August 31, 2007
  • Northwest grabs Midwest
    Northwest Airlines could eventually acquire Midwest Airlines. That possibility has emerged in a $450 million all-cash buyout deal in which Northwest is a minority investor. Northwest teamed with TPG Capital, a private equity group, to trump a hostile takeover bid by AirTran.August 17, 2007
  • Northwest's stake in Midwest Airlines raises competitive concerns
    Northwest Airlines' plan to buy Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines could be put on hold. Another bidder for Midwest, AirTran Airways, submitted a new, higher offer on Tuesday. If Northwest and an investment firm win the airline, federal regulators are likely to take a close look at how the transaction affects competition.August 14, 2007
Merger in the Air photo by Michael Carter

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