The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has vacated a Department of Transportation order that would have ended Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico’s joint venture, keeping the transborder partnership and its antitrust immunity in place. The ruling removes the immediate regulatory threat to one of the largest U.S.-Mexico airline alliances and allows the carriers to keep coordinating fares, schedules, capacity and network planning on cross-border routes.
The court found the DOT’s attempt to unwind the nearly decade-old agreement arbitrary and capricious, overturning an order that had sought to terminate approval of the venture in 2025. The partnership had remained under legal protection while the case was heard, and the latest decision leaves the coordinated operation intact.
Aeroméxico said from Mexico City that the ruling preserves enhanced connectivity, a broader network and more convenient service options for customers travelling between Mexico and the United States. The court did not rule on whether the alliance is ultimately pro-competitive, leaving room for the DOT to consider further review or a new order if it develops a stronger case.