Find the annual reports of the acquiring firm and answer the following questions for the five years before merger took place

I)   What information is provided about merger activity?

This merger was in discussions since January 2008. It was said that the new air line will use the Delta name and its Atlanta's headquarters. The proposed merger partners had lost a combined $10.5 billion in Q-1 2008, an amount that go above of level of their combined market capitalization.

II)  What was the company's most significant acquisition other than this one?

Delta Airline's most significant acquisitions other than Northwest airlines included the acquisition of Northeast airlines in 1972 and the merger with Western airlines.

III)  What was the business strategy underlying the merger activity?

The strategy behind those mergers was to manage through economic cycles and volatile fuel prices, invest in fleet, improve services for the customers and achieve strategic objectives

IV) How were the acquisitions financed?  

These acquisitions were finances by the combination of Common stock and cash.

V) Were they vertical, horizontal or conglomerate mergers?

 They were vertical mergers as the companies were in the same business as of Delta Airlines.