
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 23, 1990                   TAG: 9007230252
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A/8   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Short

NORTHWEST AIRLINES BID FOR EASTERN EXPECTED

The chairman of Northwest Airlines is expected to make a proposal to Eastern Airlines and its creditors under which he would oversee the liquidation of Eastern assets, a published report said today.

The Wall Street Journal said it was told the plan would call for Northwest to take over certain Eastern assets, including 80 of Eastern's newer aircraft, airport gates in Atlanta and maintenance facilities in Atlanta and Miami.

In return, the story said, Northwest Airlines Chairman Alfred Checchi would volunteer to broker the sale of Eastern's remaining assets for the benefit of creditors.

The story, which cited unnamed people familiar with the proposal, said the plan was expected to be offered today.

Northwest spokesman Alan Muncaster refused to confirm or deny the report, saying he would not comment "on rumor and speculation."

At Eastern, spokesman Jim Ashlock said the company had no comment. But the Journal quoted an unidentified spokeswoman for Eastern as saying that while no formal offer from Northwest had been made, "We continue to maintain we're not interested in liquidation, but we're willing to entertain proposals for the entire company."

- Associated Press

by CNB