DORGAN, HOEVEN AND POMEROY HOLD MEETING WITH AIRLINE PRESIDENT TO DISCUSS NORTH DAKOTA AIR SERVICE

Delta/Northwest president confirms new direct air service planned from North Dakota to Salt Lake City

Thursday, December 4, 2008

CONTACT: Justin Kitsch
or  Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551

(BISMARCK, N.D.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan, Governor John Hoeven and Congressman Earl Pomeroy today held a meeting at the Bismarck Municipal Airport to discuss the future of Northwest Airlines’ service to the state after the company’s recently approved merger with Delta Air Lines. Joining them was Delta/Northwest airlines President Ed Bastian, who confirmed that the company will add direct flights from Fargo and Bismarck to Salt Lake City.

Senator Dorgan requested today’s meeting and invited Bastian, the governor, the other members of the congressional delegation, and other state and local leaders. Dorgan said the meeting was an opportunity for state and local officials to speak candidly and face-to-face with Bastian about the air service needs of their communities.

“North Dakotans rely heavily on service from Northwest Airlines. The state of our economy depends on their airfares and schedules, so this meeting was a good opportunity to talk about the needs of our state,” said Dorgan, who is a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “I’m particularly pleased that Northwest and Delta have decided to add a new flight option that would allow travelers headed west to connect in Salt Lake City. That will be a boost for travelers in North Dakota, and I’m confident the company will find it to be a good business decision as well.”

"We asked Mr. Bastian and other airline officials to come to North Dakota, both to answer our questions and to express their commitment to providing quality air service to North Dakota, including favorable pricing and scheduling," Hoeven said. "We will continue to press Delta to ensure that they not only maintain, but enhance services for North Dakota consumers and businesses.”

“Reliable air service is essential to trade, travel and tourism in North Dakota,” Congressman Pomeroy said. “The return of direct flights to Salt Lake City from Fargo and Bismarck is good news for travelers in and out of North Dakota, and I hope this is just the beginning of further air service expansions in our state under the Delta-Northwest merger.”

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