Delta and WestJet finalise planned joint venture

Delta and WestJet have finalised a joint venture agreement, as they move towards closer cooperation between Canada and the USA. The agreement will expand on the carriers' codeshare agreement and allow them to jointly coordinate schedules and plan growth, co-locate at key airports, provide reciprocal frequent flier benefits, and cooperate on cargo operations, Delta and WestJet said Thursday. "Delta's future is global and together with WestJet, we can augment the two airlines' capabilities and bring together our strengths in this important trans-border market," said Ed Bastian, CE of Delta. The immunised partnership will be the Atlanta-based carrier's sixth joint venture with a foreign carrier, the latest being a tie up with Korean Air that began in May. "WestJet continues its drive toward becoming a global airline, and the signing of this agreement marks a major milestone in that journey," says Ed Sims, CE of WestJet. "The joint venture will allow us to maximise our existing partnership with Delta to benefit customers by bringing greater competition to the trans-border market." Delta and WestJet plan to file for antitrust approval in both Canada and the USA within the next month, and hope for a decision within a year, says WestJet.<br/>