American Airlines has said it will formally scrap its existing transborder codeshare arrangement with Canadian carrier WestJet.
It is an unsurprising move, seeing as WestJet recently announced it will form a US-Canada commercial joint venture with Delta Air Lines.
American has given notice to the US Department of Transportation it intends to end the WestJet codeshare partnership effective January 15, 2018.
Benefits for top-tier members of the airlines’ respective frequent flyer programs were cut earlier this month and the frequent flyer partnership will be fully terminated in July 2018.
WestJet recently announced the upcoming JV with Delta which will see the airlines coordinate flight schedules for new flights, expand codesharing and introduce reciprocal frequent flyer benefits.
The two airlines expect to introduce new transborder routes and it will ultimately lead to ‘heightened competition and an enriched product offering’ Ed Sims, WestJet Commercial EVP said.
