The US government said on Friday it would temporarily refuse to renew a joint venture between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico because of what it described as Mexican government interference in operations at the main airport in the country's capital.
Delta and Aeromexico plan to offer more than 90 daily flights between the two countries this year under a codeshare agreement that allows each airline to sell seats on the other's flights, Delta said in October.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced in a written order from the government that the companies need time to finalize their agreement and set a tentative deadline of October 26.
The decision follows decisions made by the Mexican government affecting operations at Mexico City International Airport (AICM), which the Department of Transportation said “raised doubts” about the necessary conditions for the partnership between Delta and Aeromexico, because there was not a fully liberalized air transportation agreement that complied with government regulations. Other American.
This policy is also known as the Open Skies Agreement and gives airlines more control over routes, capacity and fares.
Last year, Mexican officials overhauled operations at AICM, the country's busiest, by moving cargo flights to a newer airport on the outskirts of the city.
Subsequently, the slots available for commercial flights were reduced, in a further attempt to reduce saturation in the crowded hub and shift operations to the new Felipe Angeles International Airport, which has not yet been launched.
