Northwest Operations Improve Throughout Network

EAGAN, Minn., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Northwest Airlines today reported its operations have significantly improved from Thursday, Aug. 10, the first day new U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements were implemented for the airline industry.

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The airline also urged customers check all of their luggage as a way to expedite the security processes implemented by the TSA this week affecting all airline passengers.

“Our employees have done an outstanding job of adapting to the new TSA requirements and minimizing the impact the changes are having on our customers,” said Crystal Knotek, senior vice president of customer service and ground operations. “With our employees’ efforts, and thanks to our customers’ patience and understanding, we are pleased with our operational performance, which has steadily improved since yesterday morning when new measures were first implemented.”

The airline experienced no cancellation of flights on Aug. 10 or 11 related to the new TSA security requirements. Average delay length, the number of delays and line waits improved throughout the day on Aug. 10 and continued to improve today.

Check luggage instead of carrying it on

As a result of new TSA requirements, the airline is urging customers to check all of their luggage for greater convenience and in an effort to minimize delays at airport security checkpoints. Customers will not be charged the normal excess fee for checking a third piece of luggage at this time.

Liquids must be in checked luggage

Northwest also reminds its customers that since Aug. 10, the TSA is not allowing any liquids, gels, lotions or similar items in carry-on luggage. This includes items such as beverages, hairspray, tooth paste and shampoo. These types of items can only be carried in checked luggage. The TSA is removing these items from customers’ carry-on luggage at airport security checkpoints, and they are being placed in checked luggage or discarded.

Since this requirement also applies to goods that are purchased in-flight duty free, Northwest will not sell items that contain liquid, such as cream or gel products.

Items containing liquid, including beverages, that are purchased between clearing the security checkpoint and arriving at the gate, cannot be carried on aircraft and will be taken at the gate prior to boarding, regardless of whether the customer is originating travel at that airport or connecting from another airport.

Customers are allowed to carry on food that does not contain liquid. Travelers may also have juice, baby formula or breast milk if a baby or small child is traveling. Other TSA policy exceptions include prescription medicine with a name that matches the name on the passenger’s ticket, insulin and other non-prescription medicines.

In light of the new TSA requirements, the airline is stocking its flights with additional bottled water.

Special ticketing policy

Northwest is waiving change fees for customers ticketed to travel on Aug. 10 or 11, 2006, who miss a flight due to security delays. The airline is re- booking these customers on the next available flight that day in the same cabin without collecting the normally applicable change fees or other charges.

Changes to origins or destinations are not permitted, however, changes in connecting points are permitted.

For those ticketed to travel to, from or through the United Kingdom between Aug. 10 and Aug. 20, 2006, and wish to postpone their travel, Northwest is waiving the normal change fees. Customers can postpone their travel for up to one year from the date their tickets were issued, providing they rebook by Oct. 31.

Allow additional time

Northwest is also encouraging customers to allow additional time before their flights. Customers traveling domestically are encouraged to arrive two hours prior to departure, while those flying to international destinations are encouraged to arrive three hours prior to departure.

Airline again carrying connecting unaccompanied minors, pets

On Aug. 10, Northwest did not accommodate unaccompanied minors or pets connecting through its Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul or Memphis hubs. That service was restored earlier today and the normal policies apply.

Check-in, check flight status online at http://www.nwa.com/ .

As always, Northwest customers have the option of checking in and obtaining their boarding passes for any domestic or international Northwest flight over the Internet at http://www.nwa.com/ . Northwest’s nwa.com Check-In service allows customers, with or without checked luggage, to check in up to 24 hours prior to departure for their outbound and return flights. The airline also urges its customers to check the status of their flights at http://www.nwa.com/ or through the airline’s automated flight information telephone line at 1-800-441-1818, before departing for the airport.

Yesterday, Northwest sent 60,000 e-mails to members of its WorldPerks frequent flyer program reminding them of the new TSA requirements. Also yesterday, nearly 15,000 customers received updates on the status of their flights through Northwest’s “My NWA Info” service, which proactively notifies customers of changes to their flight status through the customer’s preferred form of delivery, including e-mail, mobile device or telephone. Over the last two days, Northwest’s “auto-dialer” telephone system has proactively called 25,000 customers, advising of the new TSA security requirements.

Additional updates

Northwest thanks its customers for their extraordinary patience and understanding. As additional information on this new TSA security requirement becomes available, it will be posted on the TSA’s Web site at http://www.tsa.gov/ , and Northwest will post information to its Web site at http://www.nwa.com/ .

Northwest Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,200 daily departures. Northwest is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of the world’s most extensive global networks. Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 900 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents.

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Northwest Airlines

CONTACT: Northwest Media Relations, +1-612-726-2331

Web site: http://www.nwa.com/