11th Circuit vacates DOT order that would have ended Delta and Aeromexico joint venture

A U.S. appeals court has vacated a Department of Transportation order that would have terminated the approval of the Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico joint venture, clearing the way for the carriers’ cooperation to continue.

In a decision issued by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the court vacated DOT’s order to terminate approval after reviewing the legality of the government action. The ruling, Delta said, allows the joint venture to remain in place.

Delta described its agreement with Aeromexico as a longstanding partnership that has provided “greater choice, more seamless travel, and increased connectivity for consumers,” and said it has also supported U.S. jobs and broader economic growth.

In its statement, Delta said it appreciated the court’s “careful review” and reiterated its focus on ensuring that customers, employees, and communities benefit from the partnership.

The joint venture at the center of the litigation represents a form of airline cooperation that regulators approve when it is deemed consistent with transportation policy. In practice, such arrangements are often designed to improve passenger travel options and network connectivity between the participating carriers’ markets.

While the appeals court’s action restores approval for the partnership, the underlying dispute reflects a broader pattern in U.S. airline regulation, where carrier alliances and code-sharing-type cooperation can face scrutiny and legal challenges under transportation rules.

Delta did not provide additional details in its release about the specific grounds DOT cited for terminating the approval, nor did it outline the precise operational scope of the joint venture that will continue under the court’s ruling.

It also remains unclear from the company’s statement whether the vacatur fully resolves the dispute between the parties or whether further appeals and procedural steps could still affect how the partnership operates later. The court’s decision does not necessarily end all related legal questions, depending on what comes next in the case timeline.

For travelers and industry observers, the immediate development to watch is whether DOT or other parties seek further review and how regulators and the carriers plan to administer the joint venture going forward after the appeals court’s reversal.