Northwest Airlines Pilots' Strike Causes Disruptions but Limited in Scope

Business travelers have experienced only minimal disruptions so far due to the pilots' strike at Northwest Airlines, thanks to increased service from rival carriers at the airline's primary hubs in Detroit and Minneapolis. However, these alternatives can be pricier, and the strike may lead to more severe disruptions after the Labor Day holiday, when business travel typically picks up. Northwest has rescheduled 70% of its passengers on other carriers.

Key Takeaways:

• Rival carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Trans World Airlines, and United Airlines have increased flights or used larger planes to accommodate Northwest passengers.
• Sun Country Airlines, a charter carrier, has added flights between Minneapolis and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and between Detroit and New York's Kennedy International Airport.
• Northwest's competitors on Asian routes, Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific, have not added flights or increased aircraft size, as traffic to Asia has been depressed.
• United Airlines is offering a fully refundable coach fare and a less expensive nonrefundable full coach fare to capture higher yields.
• Corporate travel agencies, including American Express, Carlson Wagonlit, and Rosenbluth International, are making alternative travel plans for clients stranded by the strike.
• Small, often annoying, inconveniences have been experienced by some business travelers, including longer layovers and less desirable flight schedules.

Statistics:

• 70% of Northwest passengers have been rescheduled on other carriers.
• Flights between Minneapolis and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport have increased by Sun Country Airlines.
• Fares on Northwest's routes are reportedly higher than usual, with some travel agency officials claiming that rival carriers are reducing availability of less expensive fares.
• United Airlines is offering a fully refundable coach fare that is approximately $50 higher than the normal full coach fare.

Sources:

• Jim Faulkner, a Northwest Spokesman
• Travis Tanner, President of Carlson Wagonlit Travel
• Melissa Abernathy, Spokeswoman for American Express
• Tom Polski, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications for Carlson Hospitality Worldwide
• Sue Gilles, Marketing Specialist for Genentech Inc.
• Various travel industry officials and statements from rival airlines.