Margins Check: The world’s biggest air carrier, Blockbuster’s potential, and more

Editor’s Note: Welcome to On the Margins, a feature for RCR Wireless News’ weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. Every week, the RCR Wireless News staff considers events in the wider business world and how they could affect the wireless industry.
–Delta Air Lines announced an agreement with Northwest Airlines to take over Northwest and create the world’s largest airline carrier. The move yet again underscores the troubles in the worldwide airline industry – hassled by rising gas prices and other factors — but also could great opportunities for mobile players. Indeed, travelers are increasingly relying on cellphones as their sole means of communications, and it stands to reason that airlines would look to leverage that prospect.
–The Internet industry may see massive upheaval, as Yahoo considers linkups with both AOL and Microsoft, all in an effort to counter Google. The situation may well break open opportunities for pure-play mobile companies to serve the gap left by online giants that are in the midst of corporate shufflings.
–Analysts are scratching their heads over Blockbuster’s proposal to buy struggling electronics retailer Circuit City. The $1 billion deal would create a company that would rent movies as well as sell electronics kit. If the agreement goes through, which some in the market doubt, the newly combined company likely would stand as a new outlet for cellphone — and potentially mobile content — sales.