Implementation to result in 20 percent cost savings as well as communicate airline’s strengths

MINNEAPOLIS – (April 3, 2003) – Northwest Airlines today introduced its first new aircraft paint scheme since 1989 at its Minneapolis/St. Paul, Detroit and Memphis hubs. The new livery was presented on three different aircraft types, a Boeing 747-400, a Boeing 757-300 and an Airbus A319.

The new design will be phased into the entire Northwest fleet – a total of 436 aircraft – during its regularly scheduled repainting planned over the next five years. A total of 27 new jets delivered in 2003 and up to 50 aircraft currently owned by the airline will be painted in the new livery by the end of this year.

The paint scheme will save Northwest about 20 percent in future painting costs, based on several factors: fewer primary colors, simpler design and paint process, and greater durability. The airline made the decision to continue with the project during these difficult economic times because of the number of new jetliners being delivered this year, plus the need to repaint existing aircraft that are due for maintenance and repainting. Had Northwest delayed the new livery it would have forfeited any immediate cost savings.

The livery will allow Northwest to extend paint cycles for individual aircraft from five to six years. A clear coat paint finish makes the livery more durable and dark pigments, which fade faster, have been removed from the fuselage paint scheme. The application process will be five percent less expensive than that currently used. Fewer lines and stripes are involved, requiring less taping and masking. The fuselage paint has been reduced from four colors to one.

“This new livery design is part of our ongoing program of cost reduction in every area of the company,” said Doug Steenland, Northwest president. “It also symbolizes our belief that with our overall cost restructuring, Northwest will continue to be one of the preeminent airlines in the world.”

Northwest’s trademark “red tail,” a highly recognizable part of the airline’s visual heritage for decades, remains prominent. With the new livery, the initials “NWA” become more dominant than the spelled out “Northwest Airlines.”

The new design represents several Northwest strengths identified in employee research: its global reach, innovative use of technology, pioneering track record and 76 years of heritage.

Northwest Airlines is the world's fourth largest airline with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,500 daily departures. With its travel partners, Northwest serves nearly 750 cities in almost 120 countries on six continents. In 2002, consumers from throughout the world recognized Northwest’s efforts to make travel easier. A 2002 J.D. Power and Associates study ranked airports at Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul, home to Northwest’s two largest hubs, tied for second place among large domestic airports in overall customer satisfaction. Business travelers who subscribe to OAG print and electronic flight guides rated nwa.com as the best airline Web site. Readers of TTG Asia and TTG China named Northwest “Best North American airline.”

For more information pertaining to Northwest, media inquiries can be directed to Northwest Media Relations at (612) 726-2331 or to Northwest’s Web site at www.nwa.com.