Delta-Northwest Deal May Happen Next Week: WSJ

A deal between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines could be announced as early as next week, the Wall Street Journal reported on its Web site late Wednesday.

Merger discussions between the two carriers have picked up steam, and major snags over how management of the combined Delta-Northwest airline would be structured were overcome earlier this week, the Journal said, citing sources who have been briefed on the negotiations.

The newspaper also said on its Web site that preliminary talks between United Airlines parent UAL Corp and Continental Airlines have grown more serious, citing a person familiar with the situation.