"Northwest's planned layoffs spark backlash in Minnesota Legislature"

Friday, March 18, 2005

Northwest's planned layoffs spark backlash in Legislature 
The Associated Press


MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Lawmakers opposed to an expansion of the Minneapolis-St.
Paul International Airport are even more resolved, after hearing that
Northwest Airlines plans to cut up to 900 mechanics' jobs in the Twin
Cities. 

"We're going to raise objections to the job cuts," said Sen. Satveer
Chaudhary, DFL-Fridley. "The state needs a partner in (airport expansion)
ventures, not a competitor, someone who will keep Minnesota jobs here
instead of taking the money and running." 

Chaudhary had previously introduced legislation to delay approval of the
proposed $862 million expansion until Northwest provided information about
outsourcing mechanics' jobs, airline security and other related issues. 

But after Northwest announced on Wednesday that it plans to cut hundreds of
jobs, Chaudhary said his bill wouldn't go far enough. 

He is now is expected to seek an indefinite delay of the 15-year airport
project, which Northwest has dubbed "20/20 Vision." 

Northwest said Thursday that its plan for capacity reductions and job cuts
in 2005 will not affect its need for more gates at its main hub airport. 

"It does not change the need for gates or other facilities," said Northwest
spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch. Ebenhoch also cited a Federal Aviation
Administration forecast released Thursday estimating that 1 billion people
will board planes in 2015, an increase of 45 percent. 

"The capacity reductions Northwest made were for 2005," Ebenhoch said. The
20/20 Vision plan "addresses needs of the Twin Cities travel community well
into the future," he said. 

Under the expansion plan, airlines other than Northwest and its partners -
KLM, Continental and Delta - would move from the Lindbergh terminal to the
Humphrey terminal by 2007. The Humphrey terminal would expand from 10 to 20
gates over several years. 

The Lindbergh terminal would expand from 117 gates to 153. The expansion
also includes plans for a 400-room hotel. 

"From the Northwest perspective, the recent announcement regarding domestic
flying reductions will have no impact on the 20/20 plan," Northwest
spokesman Bill Mellon said Thursday. 

The plan has the support of Gov. Tim Pawlenty but must go through a study
and approval process before the Metropolitan Airport Commission.


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