Aeromexico/Delta plan joint cargo ops; while Air France taking on Gulf carriers is questioned

© Jorg Hackemann

A little more aviation news. First, the US DoT has initially approved the joint venture between Aeromexico and Delta – if the pair give up 24 slots at Mexico City and six slots at New York JFK. The application for antitrust immunity, originally filed last year, includes one mention of freight: the pair plan “coordinated cargo activities”.

Meanwhile, not freight exactly, but there is a good comment piece from ATW on Air France’s somewhat peculiar idea to launch a low-cost long-haul operation to take on the Gulf carriers. Slated to start with 10 aircraft on Air France’s loss-making routes, this article questions whether Air France’s proposed subsidiary, which the carrier admits would be higher-cost and lower-taking onquality than its Gulf rivals, will work out.