Northwest, Delta in Merger Talks

Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines are in talks to merge, according to a report by Bloomberg News.

Both Eagan-based Northwest, the fifth-largest US airline, and Atlanta-based Delta, the third-largest US airline, are currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Delta has been attempting to fight off a hostile takeover bid by US Airways.

Details of a potential merger were slight, and both airlines had declined comment on any merger.  It would seem possible, if not likely, that a merged Delta-NWA would have its headquarters in Atlanta.

Many mergers are being explored in the battered aviation industry.  In addition to the Delta mergers, United Airlines has been talking to Continental about a possible merger, and AirTran is currently pursuing a hostile takeover of Midwest Airlines.