Northwest Named Official Airline for 2008 Republican National Convention
(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) - The 2008 Republican National Convention today announced that Northwest Airlines will serve as the Official Airline for the nominating convention. The airline will transport thousands of delegates, alternate delegates, Republican Party leaders, members of the media, and convention guests to Minneapolis-Saint Paul in September.
"We are thrilled to announce Northwest Airlines as the official airline of our party's 39th nominating convention," said convention President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Cino. "The thousands of visitors who come for this exciting event will begin their convention experience as they board the plane for Minnesota, and it will culminate at the Xcel Energy Center with the nomination of the next President and Vice President of the United States."
Northwest Airlines has its global headquarters in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul suburb of Eagan, Minnesota. NWA's President and Chief Executive Officer, Doug Steenland, also serves on the community's non-partisan, non-profit Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee, which is involved in planning for the convention and promoting the cities.
"Northwest Airlines is proud to support the 2008 Republican National Convention as we welcome guests from all over the world to Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Bloomington and the surrounding areas," said Steenland. "We look forward to providing convention-goers with safe, convenient air travel from their hometowns to this historic event."
Northwest Airlines began operations on October 1, 1926, flying mail between Minneapolis-Saint Paul and Chicago. Passenger service began the following year. Today, NWA and its travel partners serve more than 1,000 cities in 160-plus countries on six continents. Northwest and Northwest Airlink together operate approximately 1,400 daily departures, with hubs in Detroit, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Memphis, Tokyo, and Amsterdam. Northwest Airlines' U.S. system spans 49 states and the District of Columbia.
The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from September 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, members of the media, volunteers, and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event.
