Plans To Add Routes Flying 757s

At the top of most analysts' lists of airlines least likely to succeed lately has been Minnesota-based Northwest -- mired in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and struggling with huge labor issues from its unions. So maybe it's something of a surprise to hear that the carrier, which has been shucking costs wherever possible, plans to grow again -- perhaps as early as next year.

The airline has sent a memo to pilots, saying it plans to expand the number of flights flown by its Boeing 757s -- as long as ramp agents and flight attendants ratify their new contracts, that is.

The fleet changes and expansion will take place if the airline's flight attendants and ramp workers ratify wage-cutting contracts, the memo said.

That's especially good news for pilots low on the seniority list... many of whom are still furloughed from the carrier. 

Northwest is staying mum at the moment on how many new flights it expects to add, and along what routes. But union pilots say this is a step in the right direction.

The Lansing State Journal in Michigan reports Northwest now flies 14-percent fewer flights than it did a year ago. Correspondingly, those flights are now more than 93-percent full.

Northwest is making other moves to cut costs, including phasing out its fleet of 15 DC-10s in favor of a dozen new, more efficient Airbus A330s (above), and three Boeing 747-400s.

FMI: www.nwa.com