Our crack research team reports that:
In 1980, following its buyout of Hughes Airwest, Republic became the largest airline in the United States by destinations served. On January 23, 1986, Northwest Airlines, flying since 1947 under the name Northwest Orient, announced that it would purchase Republic for $884 million; the merger was completed on October 1. Republic operated hubs in Minneapolis-St.Paul, Detroit, and Memphis: these airports are now the backbone of Northwest's domestic route network. On the day of the merger, Northwest dropped the "Northwest Orient" brand name and returned to its pre-1947 name, Northwest Airlines.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_Airlines
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