The US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has vacated a Department of Transportation order that would have ended Aeroméxico and Delta Air Lines’ transborder joint venture and stripped its antitrust immunity, leaving the partnership in force. The ruling keeps the carriers able to coordinate fares, schedules, capacity and frequent flyer benefits on US-Mexico routes after the DOT tried to unwind the deal in September 2025.
The court found the DOT’s action arbitrary and capricious, with the agency’s market analysis criticised for focusing narrowly on Mexico City rather than the wider US-Mexico market. The dispute centres on one of the largest cross-border airline partnerships between the two countries, where joint planning can materially shape network strategy and competition.
Aeroméxico said it was reviewing the opinion and next steps with Delta and legal advisers. Delta separately indicated the joint venture can continue. The decision leaves the carriers’ antitrust immunity intact for now, although further legal or regulatory action remains possible.