Consumer Organization Applauds Pro-Consumer Airline Merger

C4CC Supports Recently Announced Delta and Northwest Merger

INDIANAPOLIS, April 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The announced merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines will create a pro-consumer market that will stimulate price, expand choice and improve service for airline passengers, according to Consumers for Competitive Choice (C4CC), an alliance of consumer organizations with 1 million members throughout the United States.

"The combined company will be in a strong position to continue to serve smaller and less profitable airports," said Bob Johnson, president of C4CC. "A seamless connection for business travels is important, and greater access for use of miles for travel should be important to frequent fliers."

Johnson went on to say, "The combined airline will be able to reach out to communities across the globe through its expanded route system. As the single largest airline in the U.S., it will have the resources and might to weather the difficulties that have plagued other airlines."

With these resources, both airlines have pledged to keep all hubs open and to improve international access to the benefit of small communities. These smaller towns and cities will continue to benefit from the new Delta's worldwide reach that might otherwise be lost in the ongoing retrenchment of the airline industry, Johnson said.

C4CC believes that not only will air travelers benefit from expanded choice from the post-merger Delta, but also with corporate headquarters in Atlanta, executive offices in Minneapolis/St. Paul and equity and seniority protection for employees, the interests of all stakeholders stand to benefit. Moreover, in these days of increased global competition, the integrated SkyTeam flyer programs and existing Air France and KLM joint ventures will be strengthened and assure a speedy, more seamless integration, he said.

Delta Airlines, based in Atlanta, flies to 332 destinations spanning 57 countries and five continents. Northwest Airlines, based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, and Delta already are members of SkyTeam, an alliance whose members have more than 1,400 daily departures and reach more than 1,000 cities in over 160 countries on six continents.

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Source: Consumers for Competitive Choice

CONTACT: Robert Johnson of Consumers for Competitive Choice,
+1-866-213-0536 (office), +1-317-506-7348 (cell)

Web Site: http://www.consumers4choice.org/

2008-04-23 13:32:14 0343428 PRNEWSWIRE