Airline Wants To Hire Firm To Weigh Pros And Cons

Is Northwest Airlines looking to capitalize on recent merger-mania? All signs point to the affirmative.

On Friday, the carrier filed papers with the US bankruptcy court saying it plans to hire financial advising company Evercore Group LLC to help it examine "strategic alternatives," including the possibility Northwest could merge with another carrier... or even acquire a competing airline, similar to what US Airways is now trying to do with Delta.

"Evercore's work will be focused on broad strategic alternatives in the airline industry generally," Northwest said in a court filing last week, according to Reuters. The airline "selected Evercore because of its experience and qualifications in providing financial advisory services and strategic advice in complex restructurings, mergers and acquisition."

If the bankruptcy court signs off on the proposal, Northwest would pay Evercore an upfront fee of $275,000, and a monthly fee of $75,000.

If that sounds like a high price to pay for strategic alternative examination, consider that Evercore would also receive a $3 million advisory fee once Northwest emerges from Chapter 11, whether the airline goes ahead with possible merger plans or not.

Should Northwest complete a merger or acquisition of another carrier, Evercore will receive another $2 million on top of that.

Analysts say Northwest's move could accelerate the game of musical chairs now playing out among domestic airlines. Many suspect that should US Airways not go through with its plan to take over Delta, Northwest would likely be there to pick up the pieces, and make a move on Delta of its own.

Then again, the airline could also set its sights on US Airways, instead. Stay tuned.

FMI: www.nwa.com, www.evercore.com