April 24, 2008
Key Minnesota business leaders, representing thousands of businesses throughout the state, submitted testimony April 24 before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee linking the merger between Northwest and Delta Air Lines to sustaining and building the air service at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport and statewide.
Executives from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and the Metropolitan Coalition of Chambers co-signed the testimony. Respective leaders are President David C. Olson, President Todd Klingel, President Kristofer Johnson and Chair Daron Van Helden.
“It’s impossible for proud Minnesotans like us to not have mixed emotions about last week’s merger announcement,” the joint statement read. “Northwest is as much a part of our state as our lakes, our winters and our hockey. Even so, Minnesota businesses recognize that this merger is an economic necessity for both airlines in an era of unprecedented pressures from record oil prices, economic distress and competition.”
The leaders underscored that although they recognize the Northwest name may cease, they expect the air service that drives billions of dollars of economic activity will go forward and grow under the Delta banner. That activity spans from the jobs in the Twin Cities to those in the reservation center at Chisholm and Greater Minnesota air service in communities like Rochester, Duluth, Bemidji, Thief River Falls, Brainerd and International Falls.
“Minneapolis/St. Paul will continue as a major, primary and growing airline hub, providing economic benefits to the Twin Cities and the entire upper Midwest region,” they said. “Both Delta and Northwest have pledged to grow – and strengthen – our hub, to maintain substantial management and line operations in Minnesota and to continue to be one of our largest employers. The new Delta has the opportunity to use its financial strength and the superior network to serve Minnesota better; to provide greater job security for its employees; and, to catalyze economic activity statewide.”
Follow this link to view the complete testimony submitted to U.S. Judiciary Committee.
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