Talks of a Delta-Northwest Airlines merger could mean changes in North Dakota.

More than two decades ago a merger changed the way North Dakotans traveled.

In 1986, Northwest Airlines merged with Republic Airlines.

Air travelers in the state were affected in different ways.

Minot gained the service of Northwest Airlines while Grand Forks lost republic and at the time was left with only Northwest.

State Aeronautics commissioner Gary Ness says when this merger happens it is likly more changes will come.

(Gary Ness/ ND Aeronautics Commissioner) "cautiously optimistic, you know we believe that we have a strong enough pattern, travel pattern that we wont see much change. But we will have to see when management changes and the discussions that the communites and ourselves have with the new management team."


Ness says since 1998 there have been nineteen changes to air service in North Dakota. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list