Adds Delta "Success Story" Should Be An Example For Other Airlines

Capt. John Prater, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l, issued the following statement Thursday after the closing of the Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines merger, and on the first day of a single collective bargaining agreement between the pilots of both carriers and senior executives.

"The pilots of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines go to work today under a single new contract that improves pay, retirement and work rules along with providing pilots equity in the company. Support for the merger by pilots, and the new agreement, are the result of unprecedented efforts on the part of both pilot groups, backed by a strong international union. The successful and efficient closing of the transaction is dramatic evidence that pilots can, and should, be an integral part of these initiatives.

"This success story should also serve as a model for senior executives elsewhere that corporate success in the coming years, whether through transactions, joint ventures and alliances, or on a stand-alone basis, requires close cooperation and agreement with pilots and other employees. The benefits of engaging pilots at the earliest opportunity and at every point during the process cannot be overstated."

"I have every confidence that both the Delta and Northwest pilot groups will continue to capitalize on their willingness to solve problems together and the expertise and assets of ALPA to progress and succeed. That work will set the stage for a truly successful global airline."

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilot union representing more than 53,000 pilots at 37 airlines in the US and Canada.

FMI: www.alpa.org, www.delta.com