US DOJ Seeks to Remove Antitrust Protections for Delta-Aeromexico Deal

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has expressed its support for a motion to revoke the antitrust immunity for the collaboration between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico.

In a statement released on August 11, 2025, the DOJ backed the earlier viewpoint of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), suggesting that the two airlines should no longer have the antitrust immunity to coordinate their operations between the U.S. and Mexico.

In 2016, Delta and Aeromexico, both part of the SkyTeam Alliance, were granted permission to operate under a joint venture for their U.S.-Mexico services.

This immunity must be renewed periodically, and the latest request has faced resistance from U.S. authorities.

In its preliminary evaluation, which was subsequently supported by the DOJ, the DOT concluded that the current market dynamics “have effectively eliminated the essential conditions necessary for considering an [antitrust immunity] application or for the extension of an existing immunized joint venture.”

The DOJ and DOT have raised concerns regarding the restrictive access conditions present at Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX), which they believe curtail effective competition on routes connecting to U.S. locations.

Furthermore, both government departments have charged the Mexican government with having opaque and restrictive slot allocation practices, arguing that these limitations have led to reduced competition in U.S.-Mexico air travel.

According to data from Cirium’s SRS Analyzer, fourteen airlines were operating scheduled flights in the U.S.-Mexico market in August 2025, collectively offering nearly four million seats.

Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico represent about 20% of this available capacity, with nearly 800,000 seats provided for travel between destinations in the U.S. and Mexico during the same period.

Together, the two airlines dominate this market, although competitors like American Airlines and Volaris are also significant players.

What do you think about the potential impact of this decision on the U.S.-Mexico air travel market?