Delta Air Lines has received official antitrust immunity for its mega US-Europe joint business venture.
The U.S. department of transportation gave the green light for Delta’s expanded joint venture with Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic.
The JV replaces two separate agreements Delta had with Air-France KLM and Virgin Atlantic.
With immunity the carriers can coordinate their pricing, scheduling and share revenue on flights operated on US-Europe routes.
The US DOT had already adopted safeguards to ‘protect competition, promote public benefits such as additional flights, and increased seat availability.’
"This is the final regulatory step for the airlines to begin to work together to offer customers the best streamlined travel experience across the Atlantic," Delta said.
JetBlue, which is planning to start its own transatlantic services, argued that the multi-carrier tie-up didn’t show enough customer benefits to merit antitrust immunity.
