Delta, Aeromexico Given Antitrust Immunity

The US Department of Transportation has approved antitrust immunity for the proposed alliance of Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico.

The airlines will operate a joint venture between the US and Mexico and, after the approval, can coordinate network planning, pricing, sales, and align frequent flyer plans, the department said in a statement.

The alliance will “provide substantial benefits for the travelling public,” DOT said.

The approval comes with the condition the airlines relinquish airport slots to allow 24 new daily transborder services from Mexico City and four from New York JFK to be operated by competing airlines. The condition is designed to counter the airlines’ dominant positions at Mexico City and JFK airports, DOT said.

Delta and Aeromexico have seven business days to accept or reject the conditions.