Tennessee Congressional Leaders, Mayors Support Northwest’s U.S.-China Bid As It Best Meets DOT Stated Goal of Maximizing Public Benefits

Northwest Airlines (NYSE:NWA) said today that U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), and Bob Corker(R-Tenn.), Congressmen Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), and John J. Duncan Jr. (R-Tenn.), and Mayors Willie Herenton (Memphis) and A.C. Wharton, Jr. (Shelby County) have expressed their strong support for the airline’s proposal with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), because it best serves the Department’s stated goal of maximizing public benefits for new service between the U.S. and China.

The airline is seeking DOT approval to provide daily, nonstop service between its WorldGateway at Detroit hub and Shanghai as soon as possible and nonstop service to Beijing in 2009.

The Tennessee leaders have urged the DOT to award Northwest nonstop service to Shanghai and Beijing from Detroit, supporting the airline’s proposal because:

— Northwest operates a total of 18 roundtrip flights daily between its WorldGateway and four Tennessee airports in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and the Tri-Cities area of Bristol/Johnson City/Kingsport.

— Northwest’s catchment area traffic is far greater than any other applicant.

— Approximately 120,000 individuals and civic associations so far, including several state governors, numerous airport officials, chambers of commerce, and corporate customers also support Northwest’s proposal.

— Northwest is the only carrier prepared to immediately start offering service in 2007, a valuable benefit to Tennessee travelers.

— Concerns for the need to counteract the widening frequency advantage of United Airlines and Star Alliance.

— Northwest would provide single connecting service to the largest number of new U.S. markets, reaching the most customers.

“Northwest’s proposal benefits not only passengers in the Midwest, but also passengers in the Southeast and Northeast who can conveniently travel via Detroit,” said Andrea Fischer Newman, Northwest Airlines senior vice president of government affairs. “Northwest’s U.S.-China proposal best meets the DOT’s stated goal of maximizing public benefits.”

Northwest has received strong support from Tennessee’s leaders for its proposal to the DOT, including bipartisan support from elected officials. Leaders from more than 55 companies, along with 19 airports and several chambers of commerce are urging the DOT to award Northwest new China routes.

Additional reasons why a very large and diverse base of support also is urging the DOT to award Northwest new China routes are:

— Detroit lies on the Great Circle route and is geographically located to serve the most U.S. cities with non-circuitous connections and shortest trip times.

— Northwest is the only applicant able to provide comprehensive U.S.-China competition against United Airlines ensuring the lowest possible fares.

— Detroit is the largest U.S. hub gateway to Asia, providing the greatest public benefit, hence a logical first choice.

— Northwest would use large, customer-appealing Boeing 747-400 aircraft in 2007, and new state-of-the-art Boeing 787 aircraft in 2009.

Customers are invited to register their support for Northwest’s proposed China service by visiting the special web site, www.nwatochina.com.

Northwest Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,400 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.