Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson) and Aeroméxico (AM, México City International) have begun the process of securing both US and Mexican government approvals for their proposed new USD1.5 billion joint venture involving flights between the United States and Mexico.
In their application for antitrust immunity to the US Department of Transportation (DOT), the carriers said the venture would allow them to offer an expanded network within Mexico and connections to US business centres in Los Angeles and New York.
"AeroMéxico’s hubs – México City International, Monterrey Mariano Escobedo, Guadalajara and Hermosillo – will give Delta customers greater access to cities throughout Mexico. Delta will provide AeroMéxico with a broad North American network via Delta’s key hubs, including Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson, Detroit Metropolitan, Los Angeles International, Minneapolis St. Paul International, New York, Salt Lake City and Seattle Tacoma International, and a strong marketing presence throughout the U.S," a joint statement said.
The venture will also be put to the Mexican antitrust authorities (Comision Federal de Competencia Economica - CFCE) for their approval.
Once both countries have given the proposal the green light, Delta and AeroMéxico will set about co-locating and investing in airport facilities by improving gates and lounges among other amenities. They will also pursue increased joint sales and marketing initiatives.
Over the years, AeroMéxico and Delta have collaborated extensively culminating in the signing of a commercial alliance in 2012. Since then, the two also have opened Latin America's largest heavy Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility at Querétaro.
