End of an Era: Northwest Won't Carry US Mail Any More | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

 Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.05.25

Airborne-NextGen-05.06.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.07.25

Airborne-Unlimited-05.01.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.02.25

Fri, Sep 05, 2003

End of an Era: Northwest Won't Carry US Mail Any More

In 1926, Northwest Airlines got its start by carrying the mail in its two airplanes, a Thomas Morse Scout and a Curtiss Oriole. They carried the mail, and a double-handful of passengers between Minneapolis and Chicago, sometimes making several unannounced stops enroute, for then-normal, and numerous, repairs.

No more, according to Northwest's hometown Pioneer Press.

Northwest has told the US Postal Service that it's no longer to carry domestic mail; it's no longer profitable. [NWA will continue to carry international mail, for the forseeable future --ed.]

The USPS effectively cut its rates to mail carriers such as Northwest this Summer. It now uses a incentive pricing strategy, rather than a flat rate.

The airline, after having a second look at the picture -- lowered rates, lowered volume, steady expenses -- decided that there must be something better to haul. By the time Northwest gets rid of all the domestic mail business, it won't have to pay between 150 and 200 employees, either.

FedEx is the likeliest candidate to pick up Northwest's old Post Office business, around three million pounds annually.

FMI: www.nwa.com

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.05.25): Circle To Runway (Runway Number)

Circle To Runway (Runway Number) Used by ATC to inform the pilot that he/she must circle to land because the runway in use is other than the runway aligned with the instrument appr>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.05.25)

Aero Linx: National Aviation Safety Foundation (NASF) The National Aviation Safety Foundation is a support group whose objective is to enhance aviation safety through educational p>[...]

NTSB Prelim: De Havilland DHC-1

At Altitude Of About 250-300 Ft Agl, The Airplane Experienced A Total Loss Of Engine Power On November 6, 2024, at 1600 central standard time, a De Havilland DHC-1, N420TD, was inv>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: The Boeing Dreamliner -- Historic First Flight Coverage

From 2009 (YouTube Edition): Three Hour Flight Was 'Flawless' -- At Least, Until Mother Nature Intervened For anyone who loves the aviation business, this was a VERY good day. Afte>[...]

Airborne-NextGen 05.06.25: AF Uncrewed Fighters, Drones v Planes, Joby Crew Test

Also: AMA Names Tyler Dobbs, More Falcon 9 Ops, Firefly Launch Unsuccessful, Autonomous F-16s The Air Force has begun ground testing a future uncrewed jet design in a milestone tow>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Change Display

Headlines Only | Headlines w/ Teasers | View Everything

Advertisement

Top Videos

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.08.25: Blackshape Test, Risen, Alto NG Sells Out

Airborne 05.07.25: Talon A-2 Hypersonic, FIFI Under Repair, Spirit Furloughs

Airborne-NextGen 05.06.25: AF Uncrewed Fighters, Drones v Planes, Joby Crew Test

See All

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC