Delta Airlines has just completed buying Northwest Airlines officially making it the largest Airline in the world.  The company will be know as Delta Airlines and will employ approximately 75,000 people.

Delta Airlines currently offers 27 weekly direct flights to the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose and the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste.

The merge between these two airlines will allow for a great alternative in air travel to all business and leisure tourists visiting Costa Rica.  Delta Airline and Northwest passengers will be able to choose from over 375 worldwide destinations.

A Delta Airlines spokesperson mentioned that the merge will not immediately affect current customers and that the completion of the operational merges will take at least one to two years.  According to airline sources, the combined airline income is expected to be around the $35 billion in annual revenue.

In the meanwhile, both airlines will continue to operate their current individual websites and flight schedules while Delta Airlines prepares for the combining of fleets and workforce.

Passengers will start seeing Delta’s brand and presence in Northwest flights until 2009.  Delta’s colors and logo will be painted on Northwest’s planes, Delta food offerings will be served and flight attendants will wear Delta’s uniform beginning early 2009.  Northwest’s World Perk’s member miles will remain intact once both airlines frequent flyer programs are combines.

The airlines’ combined hubs will be located in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Memphis, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York, Salt Lake City and Tokyo.

Costa Rica Airport Transfer to HAS Must Wait a Few More Days

The much awaited transfer of the Juan Santamaria International Airport from concessionary Alterra to Houston Airport System (HAS) must wait at least 9 more days due to missing information in the Rescue Plan presented by the Civil Aviation Technical Council (Cetac).

Although Cetac turned in the Rescue Plan on time, important financial information was omitted thus requiring Cetac four more days in completing the required information.  The National Comptroller Offices in Costa Rica was forced to extend its deadline for the transfer resolution.

The Rescue Plan consists in transferring 95% of Alterra’s shares to HAS due to Alterra’s blunder in keeping its part of the deal.  HAS has ample experience in the airport industry as it manages Houston’s three main airports as well as Quito’s airport.  As concessionaire of the Juan Santamaria International Airport, HAS promises to invest approximately $140 million in renovations and expansions in no more than 12 months.

Alterra gave in to transferring its shares after several banks denied financing claiming financial instability on behalf of Alterra.  After this incidence, Alterra nor the Costa Rican government were able to reach in agreement that would allow Alterra to continue with the airport expansion.

Cetac then stepped in with the Rescue Plan proposal that would allow for a third concessionaire to take over the Juan Santamaria International Aiport.

The action has received the support of several industry leaders including TACA CEO Robert Kriete. Kriete stated that TACA has plans to increase its presence in Costa Rica once the airport issue is resolved.