Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines pilots reached a tentative agreement recently on a joint contract, a major milestone in the carriers’ planned merger.
The pilot groups, both represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, had been unable to reach agreement prior to the DL-NWA merger announcement despite multiple negotiating sessions. But the Delta pilots said in a statement recently that the two groups have reached an accord on a joint contract. It said the agreement was the result of “almost around the clock” negotiating sessions in New York.
“We are pleased that the Delta and Northwest pilot groups have reached a tentative agreement and have outlined a process for seniority integration that will allow us to move forward with a unified pilot group,” Delta CEO Richard Anderson said. “Achieving a joint contract and combined seniority list in advance of the closing of the merger is something that has never been done in this industry.”