Delta, Northwest Execs: Merger Would Ease Gas Burden

The CEOs of Delta and Northwest took their case for a merger to Capitol Hill today, where they argued that they would be better equipped to deal with surging gas prices as a single company. Both businesses had big first-quarter losses, and the executives told lawmakers they’d be better competition for foreign airlines as a team, the AP reports.

“Oil is a game changer,” Delta CEO Richard Anderson said; indeed, jet fuel now costs $3.50 a gallon in New York, compared to $2 one year ago. But House Democrats weren’t so sure, as the Judiciary Committee chair worried about a “cascade of other mergers” if the deal were to be approved. He also expressed concern about job cuts and soaring fares. (More Delta Air Lines stories.)