Aeroméxico, Delta Seek Pause on JV End, Process May Last a Year

Aeroméxico and Delta Air Lines filed a joint motion with the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit to suspend a US Department of Transportation (DOT) order requiring them to end their joint venture by Jan. 1, 2026. Analysts and aviation experts said the legal process could take at least a year. The airlines requested the court to pause enforcement until the appeal is resolved.

In their filing, Aeroméxico said it would face “imminent and irreparable harm” if forced to dismantle the alliance before judicial review concludes. Enforcement, the airline said, would incur “compliance and restructuring costs” and cause “loss of goodwill, customers, and corporate contracts”, along with “structural damage” from potential slot losses and network planning disruptions. Since its launch in 2017, the joint venture has transported about 58 million passengers, operated 454,000 flights, and covered more than 1.013 billion kilometers.

Delta supported the motion, warning it would also suffer losses if required to comply early. In its statement, Delta called the DOT’s decision “arbitrary and capricious”, with reasoning that is “unproven, irrelevant, and speculative.” The airline has already canceled two Mexico–US flights due to the order and cautioned that additional cancellations could occur in summer 2026.

The DOT declined in September to renew antitrust immunity for the carriers, citing Mexican government actions that reduced slot availability and blocked competitors at Mexico City International Airport (AICM). The DOT noted Aeroméxico and Delta control 60% of passenger flights at AICM, while the airlines argued the market remains competitive, holding 20% of cross-border seat capacity versus 21% for American Airlines.

Reuters reported that the DOT rejected the airlines’ request to delay enforcement, keeping the Jan. 1, 2026 deadline in place. Aeroméxico asked the court to rule before Nov. 14 to provide clarity for travelers.

Industry specialists said the appellate process could prolong uncertainty. Aviation analyst Rogelio Rodríguez said, “This is a long process that could last until 2026 or 2027, at least one more year.” Analyst Carlos Torres noted the outcome depends on whether the airlines can present solid economic and market evidence, estimating the review could take six to 12 months.

Separately, analyst Fabricio Cojuc questioned whether the airlines should face penalties for Mexican government actions. He asked, “Why should these airlines be penalized for regulatory decisions outside their control?” The DOT order, issued Sept. 15, instructs the airlines to terminate their partnership by Jan. 1, 2026.