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CHICAGO, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc. (DALRQ.PK: Quote, Profile , Research) and Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWACQ.PK: Quote, Profile , Research) are in talks on a possible link-up, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
The newspaper, which cited sources "familiar with the matter", said representatives of the two carriers, which are No. 3 and No. 5 in the United States respectively, have met regularly for weeks discussing a possible link-up after they both emerge from bankruptcy.
The two airlines have been restructuring in bankruptcy since September 2005 and aim to exit this year. A Northwest spokesman declined to comment. Delta officials were not immediately available for comment.
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The report came in the wake of news that US Airways Group (LCC.N: Quote, Profile , Research), which made a hostile bid for Delta in November, has raised its offer to $10.3 billion.
Delta management had rejected the original US Airways bid, but US Airways hopes to persuade the carrier's creditors to have management reconsider.
Delta's 8.3 percent bond due in 2029 is now up 5 cents on the dollar at 69 cents, according to MarketAxess. Northwest's 10 percent bond due in 2009 is up nearly 4 cents at 100 cents.
Northwest shares gained nearly 10 percent to $5.05 in afternoon trading. Delta shares were up more than 6.5 percent at $1.39.
Delta has filed a plan to exit bankruptcy as a stand-alone company. Northwest has said it plans to file its own reorganization plan by Jan. 16.