American Backs DOT Plan to End Delta-Aeroméxico Alliance

American Airlines (AA) has formally endorsed the US Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposal to revoke antitrust immunity for the joint venture between Aeroméxico and Delta Air Lines. The eight-year-old alliance, which allows the two carriers to coordinate schedules and pricing on US-Mexico routes, is under review due to regulatory and competitive concerns.

In a filing to the DOT, American Airlines aligned with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), arguing that the joint venture no longer satisfies the conditions for antitrust immunity because Mexico has failed to comply with the 2015 bilateral air services agreement between the two countries.

American cited the reduction of available slots at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and the mandated relocation of dedicated cargo operations to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) as measures that disadvantage US carriers. “Airlines are forced to compete under unfavorable conditions and increased costs, distorting competition to benefit foreign carriers and harming consumers,” AA stated.

The airline stressed that antitrust immunity is only sustainable under clear and equitable regulatory conditions. “While slot limitations exist at other airports such as Heathrow or Haneda, local governments there work collaboratively with US authorities to ensure competition and transparency,” AA argued.

American further asserted: “The Department’s concerns with AICM go far beyond slot access. It is the lack of transparency by the Mexican government, its failure to adhere to international standards, and its unwillingness to cooperate with the Department—issues that have worsened since serious concerns were first raised in the 2016 order granting antitrust immunity to Delta and Aeroméxico. This is unprecedented and deserves special attention.”

AA currently holds 18.8% of the US-Mexico air passenger market, just behind the Aeroméxico-Delta partnership at 18.9%.

Earlier this week, Delta and Aeroméxico submitted a joint response calling the DOT proposal “gravely flawed, discriminatory, arbitrary, and capricious.” They argued that the DOT lacks sufficient legal grounds to terminate the alliance and warned that doing so would jeopardize 4,000 jobs and result in an annual loss of approximately US$200 million in US tourism spending.

The carriers also requested that the DOT either withdraw the proposal or extend the termination date from Oct. 25, 2025, to March 28, 2026, to allow time for an orderly wind-down and for both governments to seek a resolution.

The DOT is expected to issue its final decision by Aug. 20.