U.S. Court Temporarily Halts Order to Dissolve Delta-Aeroméxico Alliance
A U.S. appeals court issued an order to temporarily suspend the Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) decision that required Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico to dissolve their strategic alliance by January 1, 2026.
This judicial measure responds to the lawsuit filed by both airlines, which seek to halt the revocation of their joint collaboration agreement, in effect for nearly nine years. This agreement allows them to coordinate schedules, fares, and capacity on flights between the United States and Mexico.
Airlines’ Arguments: Sunk Costs and Unequal Treatment
Delta and Aeroméxico argued before the court that dissolving the agreement would entail significant costs that they could not recover, even if the courts later ruled in their favor. The decision by the panel of three judges was based on a legal precedent that sets the criteria for temporarily suspending administrative actions.
Delta expressed its satisfaction with the court’s resolution, stating that it “appreciates the court’s decision to pause the dismantling of the Delta/Aeroméxico strategic partnership while the validity of the DOT’s order is under review.” For its part, Aeroméxico stated in a communiqué that the alliance will remain in effect while the judicial process continues.
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Collusion Allegations and Competition Concerns
Last week, the Departments of Justice and Transportation described the alliance as “legalized collusion” that controls “almost 60% of operations at the fourth largest international gateway to and from the United States,” referring to flights to and from Mexico City.
The U.S. government maintains that the alliance could result in higher fares in certain markets, reduced capacity, and difficulties for other U.S. airlines due to insufficient competition.
Additional Measures by the U.S. Government Against the Mexican Aviation Sector
In parallel actions last month, the administration of President Donald Trump revoked the approval for 13 routes operated by Mexican airlines to the United States and canceled all combined passenger and cargo flights from the Felipe Ángeles International Airport in Mexico City to U.S. territory.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy justified these measures by stating that Mexico “illegally canceled and froze U.S. airline flights for three years without consequences.”
From the Mexican government, President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her disagreement with Washington’s decision to revoke the 13 previously authorized routes.
Delta Questions Differentiated Treatment Compared to Other Alliances
Delta, which owns a 20% stake in Aeroméxico, has also questioned whether the Trump administration is applying a stricter standard to its alliance compared to other similar partnerships, such as the one between United Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA).
This episode marks a new chapter in the regulatory tensions between the United States and Mexico in the realm of commercial aviation, with direct implications for air connectivity and competition in one of the continent’s busiest international corridors.
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