ATLANTA and MEXICO CITY, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and Grupo Aeromexico (Mexico: AEROMEX.MX) have filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation seeking antitrust immunity for a new joint venture on flights between the United States and Mexico. This joint venture is subject to standard regulatory requirements, including the approval of the Federal Economic Competition Commission, among others.

The application marks a significant step in the creation of a $1.5 billion joint venture that, if approved, will allow Delta and Aeromexico to operate more effectively on routes between the U.S. and Mexico for the benefit of its customers. Also, Delta and Aeromexico will seek to expand opportunities to collocate and invest in airport facilities by improving gates and lounges. Additionally the airlines will increase joint sales and marketing initiatives.

Subject to obtaining the required approvals, both airlines expect to expand their networks in Mexico and the Unites States, connecting with major business centers such as Los Angeles and New York and will deepen their relationship started in 1994.  Aeromexico's hubs – Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara  – will give Delta customers greater access to cities throughout Mexico. Delta will provide Aeromexico with a broad North American network via Delta's key hubs, including Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York, and a strong marketing presence throughout the U.S.

Andres Conesa, Chief Executive Officer of Aeromexico commented, "We are very excited that this new agreement, once approved by the competent authorities, will allow us to further deepen our relationship with Delta. The potential to combine and align our networks and scheduling means that we will able to offer greater customer choice that would not have been viable to operate individually. Passengers will be able to book, buy and fly interchangeably between both airlines."

"Mexico is the most popular international destination for Delta customers, and our proposed joint venture will offer our customers more schedule and destination choices, whether traveling for business or pleasure," said Ed Bastian, Delta's President. "Approval of antitrust immunity will allow travelers to fully benefit from all the aspects of a future Delta-Aeromexico joint venture, including the combination of two complementary networks." 

This relevant event contains certain forecasts or projections that reflect the current vision or expectations of Aeromexico and its management with respect to its performance, business and future events. Aeromexico uses words such as "believe", "anticipate", "plan", "expect", "intend", "objective", "estimate", "project", "predict", "forecast", "guidelines", "should," and other similar expressions to identify forecasts or projections, but it is not the only way in which these concepts are referred to. Those listed are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Aeromexico notes that numerous factors might cause the actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in this relevant event. Aeromexico is not subject to any obligation whatsoever, and expressly denies any intention or obligation to update or modify any forecast or projection that might result from new information, future events or any other reason.

About Grupo Aeromexico

Grupo Aeromexico, S.A.B. de C.V. is a holding company whose subsidiaries are engaged in commercial aviation in Mexico and the promotion of passenger loyalty programs. Aeromexico, the largest airline in Mexico, operates more than 600 daily flights and its main hub is in Terminal 2 at the Mexico City International Airport. Its destinations network features more than 80 cities on three continents, including 45 destinations in Mexico, 16 in the United States, 16 in Latin America, three in Europe, two in Asia and two in Canada.

The Group's fleet of more than 120 aircraft is comprised of Boeing 787, 777, 767 and 737 jet airliners and next generation Embraer 145, 170, 175 and 190 models. In 2012, the airline announced the most significant investment strategy in aviation history in Mexico, to purchase 100 Boeing aircraft including 90 MAX B737 jet airliners and 10 B787-9 Dreamliners.

As a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, Aeromexico offers customers 1,000 destinations in 178 countries served by the 20 SkyTeam airline partners rewarding passengers with benefits including access to 516 premium airport lounges around the world. Aeromexico also offers travel on its codeshare partner flights with Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Avianca, LAN, TACA and TAM with extensive connectivity in countries like the United States, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia and Peru. www.aeromexico.com  www.skyteam.com  http://disfrutaam.tumblr.com/

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SOURCE Grupo Aeromexico, S.A.B. de C.V.