Delta, UAL talks starting, report says

CHICAGO -- Delta Air Lines Inc. has started merger talks with both Northwest Airlines Corp. and United Airlines parent UAL Corp. and hopes to reach an agreement with one of them over the next two weeks, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. The report, citing unnamed persons familiar with the situation, said Delta's board gave Chief Executive Richard Anderson permission Friday to hold talks with both carriers simultaneously. Delta aims to present a preferred partner at its next board meeting in early February, with a deal announcement coming as early as mid-February, the paper reported.