The United States Government announced that changes made by Mexico to the country¡¯s main capital airport would result in Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico being forced to end their longstanding partnership.

According to Reuters.com, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) found that existing carriers and potential new entrants were negatively impacted when the Mexican government moved cargo flights and commercial slots from Mexico City International Airport to Felipe Angeles International Airport.

While Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the moves were made to boost low traffic at the new airport, the DOT said the decision was made ¡°fundamentally out of compliance with the existing bilateral air service agreement and international norms.¡±

As a result, the DOT revealed that the antitrust immunity that Delta and Aeromexico currently operate a codeshare agreement under would not be renewed, pending a final ruling. The government said the airlines have until October 26 to ¡°wind down their joint venture.¡±

In response, Delta released an official statement on the U.S. government¡¯s decision.

¡°Delta is deeply disappointed by the U.S. Department of Transportation¡¯s tentative decision to terminate its approval of Delta and Aeromexico¡¯s procompetitive Joint Cooperation Agreement. This unprecedented, regulatory overreach by the DOT will cause significant harm to consumers traveling between the U.S and Mexico.¡±

¡°Mexico is our country¡¯s second largest trading partner and the Delta/Aeromexico Joint Cooperation Agreement, which is responsible for the launch of 15 routes between the U.S. and Mexico, has been critical to connecting communities and businesses in both countries, while generating substantial economic benefits for U.S. businesses. Delta will take all necessary steps to protect the millions of consumers that have benefitted from its strategic partnership to ensure the continued delivery of important benefits to consumers in the U.S.-Mexico market.¡±

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