northwest bankrupt?

[robinsnest49ers]

Is anyone flying out of Detroit on Northwest. I heard they are going bankrupt. I already have tickets on a flight in November. They say it won't affect air travel, but I was just wondering if anyone else has any thoughts on the subject.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

You should be OK. Just keep watching your particular flight as there may be schedule changes and reduced flight frequency due to NW filing chapter 11 (bankrupcy protection)

Air Canada was in this situation last year. All the majors in the US (United, American, USAirways, now Delta) have filed since 9/11. USAirways filed twice and they are still flying.

It just means they have to reorganize and reduce costs. Since NW is such a big carrier out of the north east - Detroit in particular I doubt if they would cease to exist right now. They'll probably just come through chapter 11 a bit smaller.


The high cost of fuel is one of the major factors for NW and Delta filing chapter 11 in the same week.

 

[cslittle999]

More than filing for chapter 11 the strike by NW's mechanics is limiting the how many flights they have each day. They seem to be okay on they high volume routes but are farming smaller commuter routes to other airlines.

As Yzma and Kronk mentioned there are a number of US airlines flying while under bankruptcy protection. I read in the paper this morning that 5 of the top 12 airlines in the US representing more than 51% of the flying capacity are under bankruptcy protection.

There is actually a rumor that Delta and NW filed at the same time in preparation for a merge because they could get better concessions from their unions while under bankruptcy protection.