The U.S. Gives the Nod to the Delta-WestJet Alliance

Caribbean News…
25 October 2020 12:09am
Delta WestJet

(Reuters) - The U.S. Transportation Department said on Friday it had tentatively approved a proposed alliance agreement between Delta Air Lines DAL.N and Canada's WestJet that is expected to expand travel options between the United States and Canada.

The department said as part of its tentative antitrust immunity approval it would require the carriers to remove Swoop, an ultra low-cost carrier affiliate of WestJet, from the alliance, and divest 16 takeoff and landing slots at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.

The department also proposes to require WestJet to provide interline access to select carriers flying to Canada, and to review the proposed alliance in five years. Interline agreements allow consumers to fly to destinations using both airlines.

The Delta-WestJet joint venture would have a combined 27%share of scheduled air carrier transborder capacity, while the dominant carrier, Air Canada AC.TO, would have 45%.

WestJet, which is owned by private equity firm Onex Corp ONEX.TO, welcomed the tentative approval, saying the two carriers are reviewing the order "and will respond." The carriers said the proposed alliance “would optimize aircraft utilization, enhance schedules, and lower costs.”

Canada, with 38 million people, is the second-largest U.S. international passenger air market after Mexico, with Toronto flights accounting for over 50% of transborder air travel demand.

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