Airlines' Atlantic pact guards against budget rivals and Brexit

A transatlantic alliance between 3 global airlines will shore up their position in the lucrative UK-US market, shielding them from low-cost rivals and the uncertainties of Britain's exit from the EU. Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic have announced plans for a 15-year partnership on routes between Europe and the US and equity deals which will see them take stakes in each other. The joint venture, announced Thursday, will see the 3 carriers share their profits on transatlantic routes. It will give Air France-KLM greater access to the Britain-US market - among the most profitable - while the Franco-Dutch group's short-haul European flights could bring more customers to Virgin's US-bound flights from London. The ability to offer customers a host of extra flights could give Delta an edge against domestic rivals. <br/>