Northwest, Pilots Continue Talks

Northwest Airlines Corp. and its pilots continued contract talks Thursday without a breakthrough less than 48 hours before a threatened strike. Both sides stepped up preparations for a walkout.

The fourth-largest U.S. airline and the Air Line Pilots Assn. declined to comment on the status of the 2-year-old negotiations other to deny reports of a tentative agreement. Both sides said they were still hopeful an agreement could be reached before the strike deadline Friday at 9 p.m. PDT.

The union said it lined up more support Thursday from other unionized workers for the possible strike, while Northwest tried to accommodate 25,000 customers affected by Wednesday’s cancellation of 400 Friday and Saturday flights. Meanwhile, other airlines continued to make arrangements to fly Northwest customers.

Northwest shares fell $1.06 to close at $28 on Nasdaq after touching a 52-week low of $27.88.

Even with a last-minute settlement, business already lost would cost the St. Paul-based airline $150 million in revenue, analysts said, as passengers worried about a strike made other plans.