Local effects of airline merger uncertain

As Montana's senators gave stern notice to Delta and Northwest airlines Wednesday that their pending merger had better protect flight options and ticket prices in the state, Cindi Martin reserved comment on potential impacts the airlines' joint venture could have on the Flathead.

"We have no idea what the impact will be," said Martin, Glacier Park International Airport director, "and I won't speculate."

Martin said she's being told by the two carriers that it will be six to eight months before the merger works through regulatory and other hurdles.

"They will continue to operate as two separate carriers until the deal is done," she said, "if it is done."

Speculation is ill-advised, Martin added, particularly because these are "way too volatile times with the cost of fuel."

In Washington, Senators Jon Tester and Max Baucus, both Democrats, met with the chief executive officers of Delta Air Lines and Northwest on Wednesday.

Afterward, Tester said he will continue holding the airline executives' feet to the fire throughout their merger talks.

"Max and I made it very clear to these guys - Montana can't afford more expensive plane tickets and fewer flight options," Tester said in a press release. "We want Delta and Northwest to consider the impact of this merger on folks in rural America."

Baucus said he is working to make sure this merger is right for Montana.

"Air travel is vital to our state for good-paying jobs, economic development and tourism," Baucus was quoted in the press release. "Jon and I want to make sure that any deal that is finalized helps boost our state and put it even more on the map."

Currently, Delta offers regional and direct flights to Glacier Park International.

Skywest, Delta's regional carrier, schedules daily flights - averaging five a day in the shoulder seasons and as many as nine a day in the summer, Martin said. Delta also offers main-line summer service direct to its Atlanta hub on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with 160 seats a flight.

Northwest also offers direct flights to its Minneapolis hub year-round, seven days a week. Depending on the season, it operates either one or two main-line flights a day with between 125 and 150 seats, Martin said. Horizon Air is Northwest's regional carrier, flying turboprops and 76-seat-capacity jets daily.

In addition, United flies direct to Denver year-round and direct to Chicago and San Francisco in the summer.

Passenger loads into and out of Glacier Park International can vary from day to day, Martin said, depending on the size of aircraft the carriers send each day.

Delta and Northwest announced the merger earlier this month, but Justice Department approval is required to finalize the deal.

The senators noted that when US Airways previously tried to merge with Delta, former Delta chief Gerald Grinstein said before the Senate Commerce Committee in 2007, "Small communities will certainly suffer. With less competition, fares will increase."

Reporter Nancy Kimball can be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at nkimball@dailyinterlake.com