OST-96-1496 / OST-97-2825 / OST-97-2755 / OST-97-2209 / US-Thailand All-Cargo (Delay Start-Up) / Application of Air Micronesia / Application of Northwest / Answer of Northwest / November 21, 1997

Application of
AIR MICRONESIA, INC.
for grant of an exemption pursuant to 49 U.S.C. S 40109
(Thailand Delay Start-Up)

Application of
NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.
for grant of an exemption pursuant to 49 U.S.C. S 40109
(Thailand Delay Start-Up)

Northwest Airlines, Inc. ("Northwest") hereby submits this Answer to the above-referenced Application of Air Micronesia, Inc. ("AMI"). In its Application, AMI seeks an exemption permitting AMI to delay start-up of its U.S.-Thailand all-cargo frequencies until June 30, 1998 due to Thailand's current economic crisis. Although Northwest currently operates four of the five U.S.-Thailand frequencies allocated to Northwest by Order 96-9-16 (dormancy period extended by NOAT dated March 28, 1997 (Docket OST-97-2209) and frequencies renewed by NOAT dated August 29, 1997 (Docket OST-97-2755)) the economic conditions in Thailand also are affecting Northwest's ability to operate its fifth frequency. Northwest therefore today is filing an Application seeking an extension until June 30, 1998 of the start-up deadline on one of Northwest's five U.S.-Thailand all-cargo frequencies. Northwest does not object to the Department's grant of the above-referenced application of AMI so long as the Department grants Northwest a similar extension.

Respectfully submitted,

Megan Rae Poldy
Associate General Counsel
NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC.

November 21, 1997