The plans also call for terminal facilities at the airport ultimately to be demolished and completely rebuilt in the next 10 to 20 years.

"The terminals are aging," Riley said. "We're evaluating how long we can actually preserve the facility we have now."

Becker and Huntsman formed the Air Transportation Promotion Alliance in January to respond quickly in the event of a Delta merger.

The merger still needs the approval of shareholders and the Department of Justice, which has 60 days to review the plan. The department can block the deal if it determines competition will be hurt.

The new airline expects to have shareholder approval and complete the regulatory process of the merger by fall or winter of this year. Delta and Northwest then would begin integrating airlines, a process that could take about a year to 18 months.

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