Read the merger announcement here

Delta-Northwest deal announced
Long-expected deal would create world's largest airline and could spark round of deals that could leave 3 mega-carriers.
By Chris Isidore, CNNMoney.com senior writer
Last Updated: April 14, 2008: 8:37 PM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Delta Air Lines announced a long-speculated deal to acquire Northwest Airlines Monday, a combination that will create the world's largest airline and could lead to a series of other deals to reshape the U.S. airline industry.

The new carrier will operate under the Delta name, and be based in Atlanta.

The deal could lead to less competition and higher fares on some routes where the two carriers now compete. But there is relatively little overlap between the current Delta (DAL, Fortune 500) and Northwest systems.

The greater impact on competition and fares could come if other major carriers follow suit and negotiate their own deals in response. Some experts have suggested that several deals could eventually leave three mega-carriers handling about 80% of the nation's air traffic. (read more)