Northwest’s Labor Strife Costs It Customers

Competing airlines are starting to reap gains from Northwest Airlines’ troubles with a work slowdown that has delayed or canceled flights. The St. Paul, Minn.-based carrier has canceled hundreds of flights since mid-April, shortly after federal mediator Jack Bavis recessed contract talks between the company and the union representing mechanics and other ground workers. “We are experiencing a bit of a windfall because of Northwest’s labor unrest,” said Joe Hopkins, spokesman for Chicago-based United Airlines. Travel agents say they’ve been booking more business than usual with both United and American Airlines.