Delta-NWA deal faces turbulence
Pilots remain split on the merger of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines and passengers voice concern over a wave of consolidation that would reduce competition. According to a CNNMoney.com report, Delta’s pilots have endorsed the deal but Northwest pilots lashed out against it.
“No pilot group is going to put up with this. No amount of money can sustain a carrier which creates this level of discord,” said the statement from the Northwest unit of ALPA. “This is a recipe for failure. Under these conditions, Northwest Airlines and all the stakeholders, including the pilots, other employees and customers, are better served by a standalone airline.”
Northwest machinists and flight attendants are also against the deal. And while they won’t have the power to block it, they could cause problems down the road in contract negotiations, the report said.
Consumer groups are also split on the merger. Kevin Mitchell, the chairman of the Business Travel Coalition and critic of the deal says consolidation is not in the interest of consumers because it would leave them with fewer choices and possibly higher fares. The counter argument is that consumers are better off with financially stable airlines to fly.
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