US DOT proposes to approve Delta-Virgin Atlantic antitrust immunity.

Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic are one step closer to obtaining immunity from US antitrust laws after the US Department of Transportation (DoT) last week ruled that the two airlines' planned Transatlantic joint venture would promote competition and would provide benefits to consumers in the North America - United Kingdom market. 

The DoT added that the proposed alliance would "ultimately create a strong, competitive counterweight" with existing alliances on the routes. 

Among the consumer benefits the airlines touted are increased cooperation on flights from the United Kingdom to North America, including nine daily round-trip flights from London Heathrow to New York JFK and Newark. 

The Transportation Department gave parties 14 days to lodge objections to its conclusions following which, if no objections are made, its tentative finding and conclusions are to become final.

Source: CH-Aviation