Says DTW Welcomes New Global Carrier; Airport Is Now A Northwest Hub

Earlier this week, Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Lester Robison made the following statement in response to an announcement by Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines regarding a proposed merger. DTW is now a major hub for Northwest Airlines.

"The Wayne County Airport Authority is excited to be in a position to provide a world-class hub facility at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to a newly-combined Delta/Northwest Airlines," Robison said. "The proposed combination would create Detroit's largest airline and would transform the two carriers into a new, truly global airline. With fuel prices now at record levels, the combined new carrier will be in a better position to compete in the global marketplace and to expand its reach from Detroit -- enabling Southeast Michigan to become an even stronger participant in the global economy.

"DTW is one of the most customer-friendly, efficient and operationally-capable air transport facilities in the world at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)," Robison continued. "The award-winning McNamara Terminal has been delighting travelers as the home of Northwest Airlines' largest hub worldwide since its debut in 2002, and the airport's powerful airfield has become the envy of airports across the Midwest.

"Delta CEO Richard Anderson was the CEO of Northwest Airlines when, under his leadership, DTW's new McNamara Terminal was conceived. The Airport Authority looks forward to working closely with Mr. Anderson and his team once again when the time comes to welcome a 'new Delta' to Detroit.

"When Northwest Airlines and Republic Airlines merged in 1986, the combination secured Detroit's future as one of the world's major hub airports. Based upon what the Airport Authority has heard and what has been written by aviation analysts over the past several months, the Airport Authority has every reason to believe that this proposed merger means only more good things for Metro Detroit."

FMI: www.newglobalairline.com, www.metroairport.com/