Merger in the air

Minn. lawmakers to hold hearing on NWA-Delta combo

St. Paul, Minn. — (AP) - Now that Delta and Northwest are combined, Minnesota lawmakers want to know if their state is going to get a fair shake.

Federal regulators signed off last month on the merger creating the world's biggest airline. Delta acquired Eagan-based Northwest and will base the new company in Atlanta.

The Minnesota House Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Committee is due to hold a hearing Thursday to inquire how.

They are examining whether Northwest remains true to its 1992 loan deal with the state. It required the carrier to maintain a Minnesota hub, reach certain job benchmarks and keep its corporate headquarters in the state.

Failure to meet those obligations can lead to a call on Northwest's outstanding loan debt, which stands at $220 million.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)