TRANSPORTATION

Northwest CEO Says KLM Attempting Takeover: Northwest Airlines Corp. Chief Executive John Dasburg accused KLM Royal Dutch Airlines of attempting a hostile takeover of Northwest and vowed to thwart it, the Detroit News reported. Dasburg told the newspaper that he believes a lawsuit KLM filed last week against Northwest co-Chairmen Alfred Checchi and Gary Wilson and other big shareholders was part of a broader plan to gain full control of the airline. KLM, which first invested in Minneapolis-based Northwest in 1989, now owns 19.8% of the voting rights at Northwest and 25% of the company’s common shares. KLM said a trio of its top management would attend the Northwest board meeting Thursday in an effort to defend KLM’s rights.