Speaking before Memphis business leaders, Delta CEO Richard Anderson pledged that Memphis would continue as an important part of the Delta/Northwest network after the merger. The reassurance came after Delta announced the termination of Pinnacle’s 10-year capacity purchase agreement. Related Story  Anderson gave no further details of the contract action, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, only saying it was not associated with the Northwest merger.
"This hub is an important and integral part of the merger," Anderson said of Memphis International Airport, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal’s Jane Roberts, who said the speech came after visiting with Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Memphis leaders. "The strength of the combined network puts Memphis and the other communities we serve in a much better position" for not only international service to six continents but connecting communities of interest such as Augusta, GA and Fargo, N.D.
"It's about addition, not subtraction," Anderson said, adding that the "complementarity" of Delta and Northwest gives the combined carrier a network with almost no overlap, reported Roberts, who added that increased traffic on the merged carrier will mean hubs could gain international routes. "This hub is an important and integral part of the merger. I look forward to many more decades of success here in Memphis."