Proposed Delta/Northwest Merger; Lawmakers Voice Skepticism; Airlines Vow to Keep Jobs, but Panel Fears Lack of Competition

Summary

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Washington -- The top executives at Delta and Northwest airlines vowed Thursday that they would not close airport hubs or fire employees en masse if they are allowed to merge in a deal that would create the world's largest carrier.

But lawmakers on key antitrust panels in Congress expressed skepticism about the proposed merger. Their concern: that the decline in competition will lead to higher prices for consumers as service decreases.

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Extract

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Proposed Delta/Northwest Merger; Lawmakers Voice Skepticism; Airlines Vow to Keep Jobs, but Panel Fears Lack of Competition

"Many predict this merger will just be the opening salvo in a wave of mergers in our nation's airline industry," said Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee...

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