Air Florida seeking merger

Air Florida, grounded by heavy debts, is negotiating with Northeastern International Airlines on a proposal to merge the two carriers, an Air Florida official has testified in federal bankruptcy court.

Jon R. K. Tinkle, Air Florida's chairman and chief executive officer, said a merger plan may be ready later this week, the Associated Press reports. The Miami-based airline filed for bankruptcy July 3 and has been seeking to resume business. Northeastern, based in Fort Lauderdale, serves 16 domestic routes on the Eastern Seaboard.