After fulfilling all the requirements from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece), Aeroméxico and Delta Air Lines are set to begin their agreement on mutual collaboration to operate transnational flights between Mexico and the United States.
Aeroméxico and Delta had their first codeshare agreement in 1994 and in 2011, Delta acquired $65 million in Aeroméxico shares.
In a press statement, Aeroméxico said that this is a milestone in the continent’s aviation history, as it is the first alliance with antitrust immunity between Mexico and the United States through which both airlines can increase their competitiveness and offer more routes, more services and convenient schedules.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian said that sharing their experience and continuing their relationship with Aeroméxico benefits their costumers, commercial partners and collaborators.
“Cooperation with Aeroméxico will bring more competition to one of the most dynamic transnational markets in the world,” said Bastian.
Aeroméxico’s General Director Andrés Conesa Labastida said that the airline’s costumers will benefit from more route options and easier access to both countries.
Delta is a major player in U.S. routes, with operation centers in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St.Paul, New York, Salt Lake City and Seattle, while Aeroméxico is the flag carrier in Mexico with centers in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
In March 2017 Delta acquired 32 percent of Groupo Aeroméxico, and now holds 36.2 percent of the company’s shares, with the possibility of acquiring 12.8 percent more.