U.S. DOT APPROVES NORTHWEST/KLM/ALITALIA ALLIANCE

U.S. DOT APPROVES NORTHWEST/KLM/ALITALIA ALLIANCE

   The U.S. Department of Transportation Friday granted antitrust immunity to Alitalia Italian Airlines to join an alliance with Northwest Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
   The approval will allow the three airlines to closely align their routes
and products.
   Northwest and KLM were the first two airlines to gain antitrust immunity in 1993 and have extensively integrated their operations. KLM and Alitalia have also developed an extensive alliance for both passenger and cargo services.