In October 2008, Delta Airlines completed its acquisition of Northwest Airlines. The newly merged company is the largest airline in the world. The following statement regarding the merger is from a U.S. Justice Department press release: After a thorough, six-month investigation, during which the [Antitrust] Division obtained extensive information from a wide range of market participants including the companies, other airlines, corporate customers and travel agents-the Division has determined that the proposed merger between Delta and Northwest is likely to produce substantial and credible efficiencies that will benefit U.S. consumers and is not likely to substantially lessen competition. Andrew Ross Sorkin, "Regulators Approve Delta-Northwest Merger," New York Times, October 30, 2008; and Department of Justice, "Statement of the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division on Its Decision to Close Its Investigation of the Merger of Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corporation," October 29, 2008. What