As reported by LPO, this decision was part of a broader set of measures that included the revocation of 13 routes operated by Mexican airlines and the cancellation of combined passenger and cargo flights from Felipe Ángeles International Airport. Delta and Aeroméxico had challenged the order in court, arguing that dismantling the alliance would be complex from an operational and commercial standpoint. This measure, which can be appealed by the U.S. government, pauses the separation process that had raised concerns in both the industry and the Mexican government. The decision by the Department of Transportation, led by Sean Duffy, was made in September on the grounds that the alliance gave the airlines excessive control over routes between Mexico and the United States, concentrating nearly 60% of operations in Mexico City. Washington called the agreement a "legalized collusion" and argued that breaking it would serve the "public good" by preventing both companies from coordinating prices and operations. It also noted that the effects of the partnership could lead to higher fares, less competition, and reduced capacity. Delta even calculated that the breakup could mean the loss of more than 140,000 American tourists and nearly 90,000 Mexican travelers. After the temporary suspension by the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, both companies celebrated the decision and highlighted that the alliance will remain in effect while the court reviews the case. A U.S. appeals court temporarily halted a government order by Donald Trump that required the dissolution of the business partnership between Delta and Aeroméxico before January 1, 2026.
