NW Set to Acquire Mesaba

Northwest's board is scheduled to meet Wednesday to vote on its planned acquisition of Mesaba, a wholly owned subsidairy of MAIR Holdings. Mesaba's creditors committee told the regional's bankruptcy court it approved of the deal finally ending Mesaba's bankruptcy saga which was prompted by Northwest's own bankruptcy. However, other creditors are objecting, requesting a seat at the table to ensure the deal is best for all creditors. The deal would use $145 million  claim against its major partners to satisfy Mesaba's creditors with full payment, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. NW wants Mesaba's reorganization plan filed by next Monday, a day before NW plans to file its own reorganization plan. Mesaba retains the 49 Saabs it now flies as an Airlink and probably would get some of the 36 Bombardier 76-seat CRJs the major carrier ordered recently, returning it to its former size. While Mesaba recommended its parent company approve the deal, NW Spokesman Bill Mellon said his company was disappointed that MAIR has not publicly supported the deal.