Since Northwest started service in 1928, they have flown aircraft out of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.  Detroit has since become a major hub after Northwest merged with Republic Airlines. Northwest maintains hubs in other cities around the globe.  Throughout its history Northwest has always had a very strong presence in Asia, which is strengthened by having a hub at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport.  International airline partner KLM airlines gives Northwest a hub located at KLM’s base in Amsterdam, Netherlands.  Domestically, Northwest operates a hub in Memphis, TN along with many flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.  These cities give Northwest the ability to fly to around the world to various destinations, and to be the world’s sixth largest airline.