Northwest Airlines has announced some good news for most of North Dakota, even though the airline recently filed for bankruptcy.

Northwest will add seats to airports in the state's three largest cities, a reversal from a decision in August to cut about 136 seats from Bismarck alone.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., made the announcement Thursday after being notified by Northwest.

Dorgan said he will remain nervous about Northwest because of the bankruptcy, but he is also optimistic.

"I think Northwest Airlines understands that North Dakota has a role to play in their future, and I am cautiously optimistic that as they go forward with their bankruptcy plans, they will maintain quality air service to and from our state,"Dorgan said.

The number of flights in and out of North Dakota's four major cities will not change, but the model and size of the aircraft will be upgraded in Bismarck, Grand Forks and Fargo.

According to Dorgan, Bismarck will increase from 494 seats in October to 543 seats in November because of an upgrade to a larger DC-9 aircraft. Grand Forks will increase from 322 seats to 384 seats and Fargo will jump from 760 to 785 seats. Minot's airport will lose 25 seats, from 335 to 310 seats.

Dorgan said company officials told him the changes came as a result of shifting aircraft throughout the Northwest Airlines system following the company's decision to file for bankruptcy.

"It turned out that they had equipment and more seats available for North Dakota,"Dorgan said.

The announcement was the second time in September that Northwest said it would reconsider its plan to reduce capacity.

On Sept. 9, Northwest said it would reduce the number of seats to and from Bismarck by about 50, which was less than originally announced.