Delta Gets, LATAM Get the Nod in Brazil for Joint Venture

Both Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines Group have received regulatory approval for their trans-American joint venture from Brazil’s competition authority, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE).

The proposed deal between Delta and LATAM, which was presented to the CADE on July 14, was approved without conditions. CADE carried out an evaluation of the competition environment and examined the unprecedented economic impact of COVID-19 on the airline industry.

This is the first approval for the joint venture between Delta and LATAM since it was signed in May. Delta Air Lines took a near $2 billion stake in LATAM last year ahead of the deal.

The joint venture aims to connect the carriers’ “highly complementary” route networks and provide customers with a seamless travel experience between North and South America, once all regulatory approvals are secured.