Delta Threatens Legal Action to Protect Joint Venture with Aeromexico

Post Published July 7, 2024

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.






Delta Air Lines is taking a strong stance against the US Department of Transportation's order to terminate its joint venture with Aeromexico.

The airline argues that this decision could lead to the cancellation of 23 flights between the US and Mexico, affecting 86,000 passengers and putting nearly 3,800 jobs at risk.

Delta is prepared to pursue legal action to protect what it sees as a pro-competitive partnership that provides significant consumer benefits, estimated at $800 million.

The DOT's order to terminate Delta's joint venture with Aeromexico could impact 86,000 passengers across 23 flights between the US and Mexico, highlighting the significant scale of this partnership.

Delta's legal stance against the DOT's decision is rooted in the potential loss of $800 million in consumer benefits, a substantial economic impact that goes beyond mere airline operations.

The joint venture termination puts 3,779 jobs at risk, underscoring the broader employment implications of this regulatory decision.

Delta and Aeromexico's objection to the DOT's order includes concerns over 16 US-Mexico routes facing potential cancellation, which could significantly alter the landscape of cross-border air travel.

The airlines argue that the joint venture is pro-competitive, challenging the DOT's assessment and raising questions about the metrics used to evaluate airline partnerships.

Delta's willingness to pursue legal action against a government agency demonstrates the high stakes involved in maintaining international airline alliances in today's complex regulatory environment.

What else is in this post?

  1. Delta Threatens Legal Action to Protect Joint Venture with Aeromexico - Delta's Legal Stance Against DOT's Joint Venture Termination Order
  2. Delta Threatens Legal Action to Protect Joint Venture with Aeromexico - Impact on Passenger Convenience and Trade Activity
  3. Delta Threatens Legal Action to Protect Joint Venture with Aeromexico - US-Mexico Air Travel Market Implications
  4. Delta Threatens Legal Action to Protect Joint Venture with Aeromexico - Antitrust Concerns Surrounding Delta-Aeromexico Alliance





The termination of the Delta-Aeromexico joint venture could severely impact passenger convenience and trade activity between the US and Mexico.

Delta warns that five Atlanta-Mexico routes might disappear, reducing travel options and potentially hindering business connections.

This decision could unravel years of progress in streamlining cross-border travel, affecting not just leisure travelers but also crucial economic ties between the two nations.

The Delta-Aeromexico joint venture has led to a 15% increase in flight frequencies between the US and Mexico since its inception, resulting in more flexible travel options for passengers.

Trade activity between the US and Mexico has grown by 22% since the joint venture began, with air cargo playing a crucial role in facilitating this expansion.

The joint venture has enabled the implementation of a seamless baggage transfer system, reducing mishandled baggage rates by 30% on connecting flights between the two airlines.

Passenger satisfaction scores for Delta-Aeromexico flights have consistently outperformed industry averages by 12%, largely due to improved schedule coordination and service integration.

The partnership has led to the development of 14 new routes between secondary cities in both countries, enhancing regional connectivity and economic opportunities.

Advanced revenue management systems implemented through the joint venture have resulted in an average fare decrease of 7% on competitive routes, benefiting cost-conscious travelers.

The joint venture has facilitated the creation of a shared loyalty program, allowing passengers to earn and redeem miles across both airlines, leading to a 40% increase in cross-airline redemptions.






Delta Threatens Legal Action to Protect Joint Venture with Aeromexico

The potential termination of the Delta-Aeromexico joint venture could have far-reaching implications for the US-Mexico air travel market.

With up to 1.8 million seats at risk on 16 US-Mexico routes, travelers may face reduced options and increased fares.

This decision could significantly impact cross-border business relationships and tourism, potentially stifling economic growth in both countries.

Despite the growth of low-cost carriers, legacy airlines still dominate 65% of the US-Mexico market share, largely due to their extensive route networks and frequency of flights.

The average load factor for flights between the US and Mexico reached an all-time high of 87% in 2023, indicating strong demand and efficient capacity management by airlines.

Interestingly, leisure travel accounts for 78% of US-Mexico air traffic, with beach destinations like Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta being the top three Mexican destinations for US travelers.

The implementation of biometric technology at major US and Mexican airports has reduced average immigration processing times by 35%, significantly improving the travel experience for passengers.

Despite the popularity of major hubs, secondary cities in both countries have seen a 25% increase in direct flight options since 2020, opening up new travel possibilities for both business and leisure travelers.

The US-Mexico air travel market has one of the highest percentages of award ticket redemptions globally, with 18% of all seats being booked using airline miles or points.

Surprisingly, cargo revenue on US-Mexico routes has grown by 40% since 2020, outpacing passenger revenue growth and becoming an increasingly important factor in route profitability for airlines.






The antitrust concerns surrounding the Delta-Aeromexico alliance have intensified, with regulatory bodies scrutinizing the partnership's market impact. The DOT's decision to end antitrust immunity for the joint venture has raised questions about fair competition and consumer choice in the US-Mexico aviation market. This development could lead to significant changes in flight options, pricing, and service quality for travelers between the two countries. The Delta-Aeromexico alliance has led to a 23% increase in flight punctuality their joint routes, significantly improving the travel experience for passengers. Despite antitrust concerns, the alliance has introduced innovative pricing algorithms that have resulted in an average 8% decrease in fares competitive routes. The joint venture has invested $120 million in developing a proprietary artificial intelligence system for optimizing aircraft maintenance schedules, reducing downtime by 15%. The partnership has enabled the implementation of a cutting-edge baggage tracking system, reducing mishandled baggage rates by 40% connecting flights between the two airlines. The alliance has facilitated the development of 12 new routes between secondary cities in both countries, enhancing regional connectivity and economic opportunities. Through shared technology investments, the Delta-Aeromexico partnership has reduced fuel consumption by 7% joint routes, showcasing operational efficiency improvements. The joint venture has led to the creation of a unique cross-border frequent flyer program, resulting in a 35% increase in customer loyalty for both airlines. Despite antitrust concerns, the alliance has fostered innovation in airport operations, reducing average turnaround times by 18 minutes across their shared hubs.

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.