Delta Completes Deal To Acquire Northwest Airlines

(AP) – Delta Air Lines has completed its $2.8 billion deal to acquire Northwest Airlines, creating the world’s biggest carrier.

The announcement late Wednesday marked a swift conclusion to the deal. Earlier in the day, the Justice Department granted antitrust approval, and a lawyer for 28 air travelers who had sued to block the deal said the parties had settled the case.

The new Delta will be headquartered in Atlanta, and Delta chief Richard Anderson will head the combined carrier, which will integrate over the next 18 months.

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