Delta - Northwest shareholders approve merger ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - Today, shareholders for Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines overwhelmingly voted for a plan to merge their companies into the world's largest air carrier.

The plan calls for the new Delta to issue 1 and a quarter shares of new stock for every outstanding share of Northwest stock.

The deal also will give Delta's US employees a compensation package once the merger closes.

That's an important part of the deal according to Delta CEO Richard Anderson.

ANDERSON: Ultimately, the best protection in the airline business is a successful business model and we've made a commitment to the Delta employees and to the Northwest employees ultimately we're going to continue to improve wages, salary and benefits as we realize the synergies and improvements in the business from the merger.

Now, just one step stands in the way of the merger. The US Justice Department has to decide if the deal violates federal anti-trust laws. © Copyright 2012, WABE