Northwest Plans to Buy Regional Mesaba Air

Northwest Airlines has agreed to buy regional partner Mesaba Airlines of Eagan, Minn., pending bankruptcy-court approval, the airline said.

Northwest believes that the proposed transaction would be in the best interest of Mesaba’s creditors, its employees and the many customers who depend on Mesaba, Northwest said in a statement.

If the deal goes through, it will be included as part of the airline’s reorganization plan due Jan. 16, Air Transport World reported Monday.

Northwest and Mesaba have been in bankruptcy for more than a year. Mesaba operates a fleet of 46 Saab 340 two-engine turboprop aircraft as a Northwest Airlink partner.

A Northwest spokesperson said Mesaba and its creditors have agreed to the takeover.

The acquisition would not affect Northwest’s plan to establish a wholly owned regional carrier, Compass Airlines, the spokesperson said.