Team formed in case of Delta merger

Like an airport ramp worker wielding lighted wands, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker is marshalling government and community leaders into a coalition to address a possible Delta Air Lines merger.

The Air Transportation Promotion Alliance, jointly announced Friday by Becker and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., brings together state legislators, transportation officials and business leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing air transportation in Utah.

At the top of that list is how Delta's talks with other airlines about possible mergers will affect the Salt Lake City International Airport, the Atlanta-based airline's Western hub. Delta reportedly is considering merging with either Northwest Airlines or United Airlines.

"With the possibility of a merger and the various possible outcomes of a merger, we wanted to be as prepared as we can to be able to make some informed decisions and have some direction for where we go as a state and a city," Becker said.

Becker said he and Huntsman discussed the possible merger Thursday during a closed-door meeting that also included Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. Together, they decided to assemble a response team of sorts to determine what action to take depending on the possible outcomes.

"We want to respond in a way that puts the city and the state in a strong position and not in a purely reactive position," Becker said.

In addition to Becker and Huntsman, the Air Transportation Promotion Alliance will include four state legislators — one Republican and one Democrat from the Senate, and one Republican and one Democrat from the House. Those members will be appointed by legislative party leaders.

The alliance also will include Meg Holbrook, Utah Transportation commissioner; Jason Perry, director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development; Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber; Keith Christensen, a member of the Salt Lake City Airport Board; and Joe Zeidner, legal counsel with a background in mergers and acquisitions.

"This is a good opportunity for government and the private sector to address the needs of today and create a long-term vision and strategy," Huntsman said. "We must ensure the future viability of the airport, which is a critical link to the global economy."

The first meeting of the alliance has not yet been scheduled.

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