Northwest Bankruptcy Not Expected to Impact Travelers

September 15, 2005

Northwest Bankruptcy Not Expected to Impact Travelers
September 15, 2005 – According to a statement from Northwest Airlines, the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing will not impact the airline’s day-to-day operations. In the statement from Northwest President and CEO Doug Steenland, Steenland stated, "We remain committed to serving customers, honoring tickets, flying a competitive schedule safely and reliably, maintaining our WorldClubs® lounge program, and all other programs and services."

The airline reports that the bankruptcy process will enable them to continue its transformation into a new-era carrier in keeping with the permanent changes that have affected the airline industry, such as rising labor costs and a doubling of fuel prices over the past two years.

NTA does not have any reason to believe that the bankruptcy will have an impact on travel to Convention this November.

"We have had ongoing dialog with Northwest Airlines and they have assured us that their customers and flights will not be disrupted by the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing," said Larry Alexander, president and CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We are confident that NTA delegates will experience seamless travel to the convention and have a great experience in our region."

Steenland further noted that, "Customers can continue to book travel on Northwest Airlines with confidence. Although bankruptcy is never a first choice option, it does provide the most prudent means for a restructuring that will ensure the transformation of Northwest into a new-era carrier that is able to compete in the near term and well into the future."