Reports flew today (Wednesday) that Northwest and its pilots are close to settling a two-year old contract dispute and possibly averting a strike this Friday. The strike would cripple air service in Minnesota and strand thousands of travellers. But Northwest announced it's cancelled 400 weekend flights and will stop accepting cargo for flights this evening. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Despite a flurry of reports ranging from a settlement was close at hand to both sides had reached a tentative agreement...Northwest management and pilots were quick to deny any settlement was near: Northwest's Jon Austin: (talks are continuing we continue to put reasonable proposals on the table we continue good faith negotiations the talks are on-going)