Airline alters ground services; Northwest shifts those duties to a contractor at Albany International.(Business)

Byline: CATHY WOODRUFF - Staff Writer

COLONIE - Northwest Airlines today is handing off ground operations at Albany International Airport - including baggage handling and ticket counter service - to a contractor.

Monday was the last day for 15 Northwest employees here, an airline spokesman confirmed.

Mesaba Airlines, which, like Northwest, is based in a suburb of St. Paul, will take over the ground operations.

The airlines announced Monday that Northwest is acquiring Mesaba, a regional carrier also operating in bankruptcy. Under the agreement with Mesaba's parent, MAIR Holdings Inc., it will become a subsidiary of Northwest, pending …