Northwest experienced strong holiday load factors of up to 90 percent during peak travel days resulting in December system-wide, domestic, Pacific, and Atlantic load factors of 72.2, 69.3, 76.9 and 76.8 percent, respectively.
For the twelve months ending December 2001, Northwest reported an industry-leading system-wide load factor of 74.3 percent among the nine largest U.S. major airlines, down 2.3 points from 2000.
As of year-end, Northwest had approximately $2.6 billion in cash and equivalents, including $197 million in deferred transportation taxes.
Northwest continues to offer its customers check-in and facility improvements that make their travel experience smooth and efficient. The carrier has invested more than $2 million in additional airport security checkpoint capacity, cutting average security line-waits substantially. Northwest has added 19 security lanes and has plans to add eleven more in the near future.
Northwest opens a state-of-the-art, 97-gate WorldGateway facility next month, designed to make travel through its Detroit hub a pleasant and efficient experience. In addition, facility and runway improvements at its Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis hubs position the airline to benefit from an increased demand for air travel, when it occurs.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
