Release #08.NWA
April 3, 2008

Pilots: Northwest Airlines Plan to Reduce Flights “Practical”

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – First Officer Greg Rizzuto, Communications Chairman for the Northwest Airlines pilots, who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, issued the following statement today reacting to the Northwest Airlines’ management plan to reduce capacity and the number of aircraft in response to high fuel costs and economic uncertainties.

“While we are never happy about flight schedule reductions, we understand the need for prudent economic decisions to be made in order to maintain the financial viability of Northwest Airlines.

“We believe that Mr. Steenland’s decision to reduce costs and increase revenues by avenues other than employee pay, benefits, and layoffs is the correct choice due to the steep cuts already taken by employees during the bankruptcy process. The aircraft involved are not being retired but removed from the current flying operation.

“At a time when other airlines are shutting their doors, parking and selling aircraft, Northwest management’s decision is practical given the current economic environment. It is notable that there are no planned pilot furloughs with this relatively small capacity reduction.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents 61,000 pilots at 43 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. ALPA represents approximately 4,700 active NWA pilots and 550 furloughed NWA pilots. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org and the NWA ALPA website at http://www.nwaalpa.org.

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CONTACT: Greg Rizzuto, 952-854-4484