Business Editors EAGAN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2007--Northwest Airlines Corporation (Pink Sheet:NWACQ) announced that Mesaba Airlines, which today emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, has been acquired by Northwest Airlines. Mesaba, which becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary, operates a fleet of 50 regional aircraft under the Northwest Airlink banner.
"Mesaba Airlines has served our customers for more than 22 years and today, Northwest is pleased to strengthen this long-standing relationship," said Doug Steenland, president and chief executive officer, Northwest Airlines. "The acquisition of Mesaba by Northwest ensures that our passengers will continue to enjoy conveniently-timed flights that connect to the Northwest global network through our three domestic hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis."
"We are pleased to have completed the restructuring process and to become a member of the Northwest Airlines' family," said John Spanjers, president and chief operating officer, Mesaba Airlines. "A great deal of thanks goes to the employees of Mesaba who remained committed and worked extremely hard during the restructuring process to position Mesaba for long-term success. The support of Northwest Airlines will further enable us to accomplish this goal."
Mesaba filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 13, 2005. Northwest acquired Mesaba after that airline was successfully restructured under the guidance of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota and Mesaba's Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (OCUC).
Mesaba, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northwest Airlines, operates as a Northwest Airlink partner under service agreements with Northwest Airlines. The airline serves 72 cities in the United States and Canada from Northwest's three major hubs: Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis. Mesaba operates an advanced fleet of regional jet and jet-prop aircraft, consisting of the 34 passenger Saab SF340 and the 50-passenger Canadair Regional jet. As previously announced, Mesaba will begin operating the first of 36 76-passenger Bombardier CRJ900 regional jet aircraft in the coming months. Mesaba's Web site can be found at www.mesaba.com.
Northwest Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,400 daily departures. Northwest is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of the world's most extensive global networks. Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 900 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents.
CONTACT: Northwest Airlines
KEYWORD: MINNESOTAINDUSTRY KEYWORD: MERGERS/ACQSOURCE: Northwest Airlines
