Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
« Back to the grid | Next story »

Pilot Impasse May Ground Northwest-Delta Merger

Posted Mar 18, 08 9:55 AM CDT in Business 

(Newser) – Merger talks between Delta and Northwest appear to be headed for a hard landing after pilots for the carriers called off their own negotiations over seniority issues, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The airlines boards will meet this week to decide whether the merger should go forward, but Delta's CEO is on record saying it hinges on the pilots' agreement.

The two sides can't agree on how to combine their seniority list. For pilots, seniority is critical because it determines pay and flight schedules. "I think it proves the fact that pilots can't agree on anything and shouldn't be dictating the future of mergers," one analyst told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

Sources Minneapolis Star Tribune, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • United and Continental May Be Next to Merge

    Apr 15, 08 4:11 AM CDT
    United and Continental May Be Next to Merge The Delta-Northwest merger will create the world's biggest airline—but that title could fall before the ink is even dry on the deal as industry pressures force other carriers into shotgun weddings, the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysts believe United and Continental would be a good match and a deal between the two is widely expected, possibly in a matter of weeks. More »

  • Passengers Air a Record Number of Complaints

    Apr 7, 08 3:45 AM CDT
    Passengers Air a Record Number of Complaints Airline passengers on domestic flights are unhappier than they've been in years, with consumer complaints up 60%, according to the annual Airline Quality Rating survey. Long delays, cancellations, overbooking, late arrivals, and lost baggage accounted for most of the complaints, which haven't been this bad since 2000, reports the AP. Complaints doubled on US Airways and Comair, and increased for 15 out of 16 carriers in the study. The sole exception was Mesa Airlines. More »

  • Delta Will Slash 2K Jobs

    Mar 18, 08 2:02 PM CDT
    Delta Will Slash 2K Jobs Battered by skyrocketing fuel prices, Delta Air Lines will eliminate 2,000 jobs to cut costs, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. With oil prices driving the airline’s fuel expenditures $900 million higher than expected, the carrier will offer buyouts to some 30,000 employees, aiming to cut 1,300 flight attendant and agent positions in addition to 700 administrative jobs, mostly through voluntary severance and hiring freezes. More »

  • Delta-Northwest Pilots Ground Airline Merger

    Feb 20, 08 6:49 AM CST
    Delta-Northwest Pilots Ground Airline Merger Northwest and Delta merger talks are stuck on the runway today, as  pilots continue talks on a deal to combine their workforces, AP reports. Representatives for the 12,000 pilots are hung up on issues of seniority, insiders said; directors of the airlines hoping to announce their $20-billion merger plans today are waiting for a breakthrough. The pilots unions have agreed on a joint contract, but seniority lists are crucial to determine rankings for benefits. More »

  • New Delta CEO Raises Questions

    Aug 22, 07 8:48 AM CDT
    New Delta CEO Raises Questions Delta's choice for its new CEO—an outsider who won the job over two internal candidates—is raising questions, the Journal reports. Newly emerged from 19 months of wrangling in bankruptcy court, the airline appointed former Northwest CEO Richard Anderson yesterday, sparking speculation about a future merger with Northwest and a possible new post-Chapter 11 strategy. More »

A Delta Connection plane taxis in the background behind a parked Northwest Airlines plane. On hold for nearly a month, the merger deal between Northwest and Delta is in danger of being called off.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
A Northwest plane arrives at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn. On hold for nearly a month, the merger deal between Northwest and Delta Air Lines is in danger of being called off.   (AP Photo/George Ruhe, file)
On hold for nearly a month, the merger deal between Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines is in danger of being called off.   (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

merger • airline • pilot • Northwest Airlines • Delta • pilot seniority • ALPA


Loading...

Today's Most Popular

Loading...
SPONSORED NEWS ARCHIVE

NORTHWEST AIRLINES REPORTS DISPOSITION BY DIRECTOR BOSTOCK (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

Delta Air Lines, Northwest Merge, Creating Premier Global Airline. (Albawaba.com)

Delta raises may create friction on union front; The airline is encouraging... (Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN))

Delta wants to alter debt agreement; MAC said airline must `submit a written... (Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN))

PARTICIPATION OF CHICAGO MIDWAY AIRPORT IN FAA AIRPORT PRIVATIZATION PILOT... (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

SEN. DORGAN TO HOST MEETING WITH NORTHWEST, DELTA AIR LINES, NORTH DAKOTA OFFICIALS... (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

Delta soon to expand hub service from MSP; More seats will be available to... (Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN))

MAC has leverage in Delta dealings; Airports commission, airline should make... (Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN))

Bond deal might help state land airline jobs; Delta said it would be open to... (Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN))


Other Business Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »