US government approves Delta-LATAM joint venture

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has given its long-awaited approval of antitrust immunity to the proposed joint venture between Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines Group. The companies says they will now “work closely to create the leading airline partnership between the United States/Canada and South America”. The partnership will encompass flights to Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay – connecting “the Americas to the world like never before, with access to more than 300 destinations”, they add. The DOT approved the deal in a 30 September order. In June it had tentatively cleared the plan, which is more than three years in the making. “Delta’s partnership with LATAM will help grow the market between North and South America and provide significant and much-needed benefits for customers,” says Delta chief executive Ed Bastian. “Now, we’ll get to work with LATAM to transform the travel experience for our collective customers and create new opportunities for our employees.” “The approval by the DOT will give rise to the start of work with Delta to deliver more and better benefits to LATAM and Delta customers, such as faster connections and the joint accrual of miles in frequent-flyer programmes,” adds Roberto Alvo, LATAM CEO. The joint venture, which the companies have been pursuing since mid-2019, was approved by Chilean competition authorities in October 2021.<br/>