Northwest and Delta Are to Revive Their Merger Talks before Pilots Reach Agreement

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- Despite the failure of their two airlines’ pilot unions to reach an agreement, The New York Times reported that the talks between Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE:DAL) and Northwest Airlines Corp (NYSE:NWA) to discuss their plan to merge might be about to begin again.

"Merging without the approval of pilots could anger the airlines’ most powerful work group and make it difficult to run a combined airline efficiently. But the threat might help push the pilots back into negotiations," The Times article reported.

Given the delicacy of the issues involved, the personal connections between the two airlines could be a key factor in determining whether the negotiations are successful.

NewsVisual decided to create an IntellectSpace Knowledge Map in order to illustrate the personal connections between the two companies.

The Knowledge Map shows the following:

Delta CEO Richard H Anderson previously spent 14 years with Northwest as that company’s CEO from 2001 to 2004; Delta Executive Vice President Stephen E Gorman was also previously an EVP at Northwest; and Northwest EVP and CFO David M Davis was also previously Delta’s Director of Finance.

In addition, Delta Director Paula Rosput Reynolds and Northwest Director Michael J Durham are well acquainted via another board room; Durnham joined AGL Resources as a Director when Reynolds was the company’s CEO/President/Chairman.

Click here for an interactive and fuller version of this IntellectSpace Knowledge Map.

(Note: the information contained and presented in Knowledge Maps is public information from the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America).