Delta Air Lines Pilots OK Northwest Takeover

Delta said the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) had informed it Wednesday that Delta pilots had overwhelmingly voted to approve a change in their current contract that would promote revenue synergies in the new company.

The ratification vote was more than 3-to-1 in favor, said Lee Moak, chairman of Delta's Air Line Pilots Association chapter.

"We are pleased with the Delta pilots' decision to ratify a modification to their current contract, marking an important step towards combining our two great airlines," said Delta chief executive Richard Anderson.

The merger of Delta, the nation's third-largest airline, with number-five Northwest, will create a new mammoth airline that keeps the Delta name and like its namesake, will be headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.