{"id":116668,"date":"2025-10-12T00:10:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T18:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=116668"},"modified":"2025-10-12T00:00:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T18:30:06","slug":"delta-challenges-dot-on-aeromexico-joint-venture-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/12\/delta-challenges-dot-on-aeromexico-joint-venture-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Delta Challenges DOT on Aeromexico Joint Venture Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ATLANTA-<\/strong> Delta Air Lines (DL)<\/a> has filed a petition in the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, seeking judicial review of a Department of Transportation (DOT) decision that revoked its antitrust immunity with Aeromexico (AM)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The case centers on the Delta and Aeromexico\u2019s transborder joint venture, which coordinates flights between the United States and Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DOT\u2019s order, signed by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, requires Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership by January 1, 2026, citing Mexico\u2019s restrictions on US carriers\u2019 access to Mexico City International Airport (MEX).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delta argues that the order threatens competition, customer choice, and cross-border connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: Delta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Delta and Aeromexico\u2019s Joint Venture Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The joint venture between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico, launched in 2017, allowed both carriers to coordinate flight schedules, pricing, and shared routes under antitrust immunity, a legal framework that permits such cooperation when it benefits consumers through efficiency and network integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the DOT determined that the alliance no longer meets competitive standards due to Mexico\u2019s handling of airport slot allocations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US government claims that Benito Ju\u00e1rez International Airport (MEX), Mexico City\u2019s main gateway, has restricted landing and takeoff rights for foreign airlines, disproportionately favoring Aeromexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to PYOK<\/a>, Aeromexico controls most available slots at MEX, while other airlines are directed to use Felipe \u00c1ngeles International Airport (NLU), a newer facility located farther from the city center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mexican officials assert that Benito Ju\u00e1rez Airport needs major renovations, justifying temporary slot restrictions, but US authorities counter that no substantial construction has begun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Photo: By Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK – Embraer 190-100LR \u2018XA-GAD\u2019 AeroMexico connect, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=66842031<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DOT\u2019s Decision and Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In his final order, Secretary Duffy stated that Mexico\u2019s slot restrictions \u201cgrant Aeromexico a structural advantage\u201d and reduce competition in transborder air service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DOT concluded that while Mexico promised to return confiscated slots and form a new regulator to manage airport access, those steps did not sufficiently address fairness or transparency concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. government maintains that these unresolved issues prevent equal market access for US carriers such as Delta, American Airlines (AA)<\/a>, and United Airlines (UA)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials believe that the Mexican government\u2019s management of MEX slots undermines open-skies principles designed to ensure fair opportunities for both nations\u2019 airlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Delta
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n