Andersen's chief executive, Joseph Berardino, met with Delta's board of directors Thursday seeking to retain the company as a client, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday citing people familiar with the airline.
Delta would be the first major client to take its business elsewhere, although Berardino conceded at a news conference yesterday that the company has lost ``some'' business over the Enron fiasco.
Delta officials portrayed the selection of an auditor as a routine annual process. Delta spokeswoman Peggy Estes says Andersen officials will be allowed to compete for the business, which they have had since 1949.
Delta's board wants to avoid a rushed search for a replacement if Andersen's Enron-related troubles affect its ability to service the airline, the newspaper said.
Chicago-based Andersen received $5.89 million from Delta for auditing and other services in 2000, according to Delta's last proxy statement. Delta will announce its choice of auditor in its March proxy statement.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/1/199556