Aeroméxico-Delta Antitrust Deal at Risk in US Review: Aero Week

This week in aerospace news: Volaris revised its 2025 capacity growth forecast down to 7% but maintained its margin outlook amid stronger second-half demand projections. Viva reported a 15.5% decline in first-half 2025 revenue, impacted by currency depreciation. The US Department of Transportation plans to revoke antitrust immunity for the Delta–Aeroméxico joint venture by Oct. 25, pending objections.

Mexico announced a US$1.9 billion investment to upgrade 62 airports in 2025, a project expected to generate 200,000 jobs. Russian carrier Aeroflot experienced a cyberattack that disrupted over 100 flights. Meanwhile, US senators urged the FAA to reject single-pilot operations, citing safety concerns, and Delta’s AI-driven ticket pricing strategy is under Senate scrutiny for potential consumer impact.

More news below:

Mexico to Invest MX$33.7 Billion to Expand 62 Airports in 2025

Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) has announced a joint public-private investment of MX$33.7 billion (US$1.9 billion) for 2025 to expand and upgrade 62 airports across the country. The initiative, involving private companies and federal entities, is expected to generate around 200,000 jobs over the course of the year.

Viva Revenue Drops 15.5% in 1H25 Amid Peso Slide

Viva reported a 15.5% decline in total revenue for the first half of 2025, totaling US$1.04 billion, down from US$1.23 billion during the same period in 2024.

Boeing Reports 63% Rise in 2Q25 Jet Deliveries

Boeing delivered 150 commercial aircraft in 2Q25, marking a 63% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The rise in deliveries contributed to a 35% year-over-year revenue increase, totaling US$22.7 billion. The company also narrowed its losses, reporting a GAAP loss per share of US$0.92, down from US$2.33 a year earlier. Free cash flow remained negative at US$200 million, a significant improvement from the US$4.3 billion outflow recorded in 2Q24.

Aeroflot Suffers Cyberattack, Over 100 Flights Canceled

A cyberattack on Russia’s state-owned airline Aeroflot on July 28 caused a major outage in the company’s computer systems, resulting in the cancellation of more than 100 flights and widespread delays, according to Russia’s prosecutor’s office. The attack also affected Aeroflot’s subsidiaries, Rossiya and Pobeda, disrupting primarily domestic routes as well as some international flights to Belarus, Armenia, and Uzbekistan.

Delta-Aeroméxico JV Antitrust Immunity Faces US DOT Revocation

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has moved to revoke the antitrust immunity (ATI) granted to the joint venture between Grupo Aeroméxico and Delta Air Lines. In an order dated July 19, 2025, the DOT announced that the immunity would expire on Oct. 25, 2025, unless compelling objections are  filed and considered.

Airbus, CNES Launch 4 CO3D Earth-Imaging Satellites

Four high-resolution Earth observation satellites developed by Airbus in partnership with the French Space Agency (CNES) have been successfully launched into orbit as part of the Constellation Optique 3D (CO3D) program. Deployed aboard a Vega-C rocket operated by Arianespace, the satellites are now in a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 502 km.

US Senators Oppose FAA Plan for Single-Pilot Flights

A bipartisan coalition of 43 US senators is urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to oppose proposals promoting single-pilot operations in commercial aviation. In a letter addressed to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, lawmakers led by Senators Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called on the FAA to push back against the “Extended Minimum Crew Operations” (eMCO) initiative supported by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), warning that it poses significant risks to global aviation safety standards.

Delta’s AI Pricing Plan Draws Scrutiny From US Senators

Three US senators are demanding answers from Delta Air Lines regarding its plan to use artificial intelligence to set ticket prices. The inquiry comes after Delta announced it would implement AI-driven pricing technology on 20% of its domestic network by the end of 2025 through a partnership with AI firm Fetcherr.

Volaris Trims 2025 Growth to 7%, Keeps Margin Outlook

Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris has revised its 2025 capacity growth forecast for the third time this year, while reinstating its margin guidance amid improved visibility into second-half demand trends.