US airlines Delta, Northwest file for bankruptcy

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Delta Boeing 757-252

Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines, the third and fourth-largest US airlines, filed for bankruptcy protection from creditors on Wednesday. Together with United and US Airways, four of the seven biggest US carriers are now operating under bankruptcy protection, representing 51% of US passenger flight capacity.

The filing occurred due to rising fuel prices, high labor expenses and competition from low-fare carriers.

Delta and Northwest both said that bankruptcy protection would cause no changes for passengers in their flight schedules and frequent-flyer schemes. However, analysts say that cuts in some flights can be expected in the future.

Sources