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Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) in order to improve profitability of its cargo operation, will retire its 14 Northwest Cargo Boeing 747-200Fs on December 31, 2009. These 14 aircraft will not be repainted.

On the financial side, the company reported a net loss for the first quarter of $693 million, excluding special items. Excluding $684 million in realized fuel hedge losses and special items, DL’s results were basically break even. However DL’s reported net loss for the quarter is $794 million.

Delta completed the merger with Northwest Airlines on October 29, 2008. However their are still two air operators certificates (AOCs). The company is on track to have a single operating AOC by the end of 2009. When this occurs, this will be the technical end of Northwest Airlines-NWA.