US DOJ approves merger of Delta, Northwest Airlines

WASHINGTON, Oct 29 (Reuters) - U.S. antitrust authorities approved Delta Air Lines Inc's (DAL.N) purchase of Northwest Airlines Corp NWA.N on Wednesday in a deal worth about $2.6 billion.

The merger would create the world's biggest airline by passenger traffic.

The U.S. Justice Department approval ends the U.S. regulatory review.

The department said the deal, in its view, is likely to benefit consumers and and unlikely to "substantially lessen competition."

(Reporting by Diane Bartz and Randall Mikkelsen)