BEFORE THE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Joint Application of

DELTA AIR LINES, INC.,

AEROVIAS de MEXICO, S.A. de C.V. 

AEROLITORAL, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a AEROMEXICO 

CONNECT

for an exemption pursuant to

49 U.S.C. § 40109 and statements 

of authorization under 14 C.F.R. Part 212

(U.S. – Mexico transborder routes)

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Docket DOT-OST-2013-

 

JOINT APPLICATION OF

DELTA AIR LINES, INC., AEROVIAS de MEXICO, S.A. de C.V., and 

AEROLITORAL, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a AEROMEXICO CONNECT

Communications with respect to this document should be addressed to:

John R. Mietus, Jr.

LAW OFFICE OF JOHN MIETUS, LLC

6701 Democracy Boulevard Ste 300

Bethesda, Maryland 20817

(202) 747-5212

john@mietuslaw.com

Counsel for 

AEROVIAS de MEXICO, S.A. de C.V. and 

AEROLITORAL, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a 

AEROMEXICO CONNECT

Alexander Van der Bellen

Managing Director – Government Affairs

 & Associate General Counsel

Christopher Walker

Regional Director – Government Affairs

DELTA AIR LINES, INC. 

1212 New York Avenue, N.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20005

(202) 842-4184

sascha.vanderbellen@delta.com

March 14, 2013

Notice: Delta is polling the U.S. carriers on the service list attached to this 

Application and will inform the Department of the results.
BEFORE THE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Joint Application of

DELTA AIR LINES, INC.,

AEROVIAS de MEXICO, S.A. de C.V. 

AEROLITORAL, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a AEROMEXICO 

CONNECT

for an exemption pursuant to

49 U.S.C. § 40109 and statements 

of authorization under 14 C.F.R. Part 212

(U.S. – Mexico transborder routes)

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)

)

)

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)

)

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Docket DOT-OST-2013-

 

JOINT APPLICATION OF

DELTA AIR LINES, INC., AEROVIAS de MEXICO, S.A. de C.V., and 

AEROLITORAL, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a AEROMEXICO CONNECT

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”), Aerovias de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (“Aeromexico”), 

and Aerolitoral, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a Aeromexico Connect (together, the “Joint Applicants”) 

hereby apply for authority to expand their codeshare arrangement to include the display 

of Delta’s “DL*” code on flights operated by Aeromexico and/or Aerolitoral on the 

following U.S. – Mexico transborder routes:

Atlanta, Georgia-Toluca, Mexico;

Chicago, Illinois-Durango, Mexico;

Houston, Texas-Monterrey, Mexico;

Laredo, Texas-Mexico City, Mexico;

Laredo, Texas-Monterrey, Mexico;

Las Vegas, Nevada-Puerto Peñasco, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Cancún, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Hermosillo, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-La Paz, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Loreto, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-León, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Huatulco, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Puerto Peñasco, Mexico;

Miami, Florida-Mérida, Mexico;

Miami, Florida-Monterrey, Mexico;

San Antonio, Texas-Mexico City, Mexico; and

San Antonio, Texas-Monterrey, Mexico.
Joint Application of Delta, Aeromexico, and Aerolitoral

Page 2

In support of this Joint Application, Delta, Aeromexico, and Aerolitoral state as 

follows:

1. The Joint Applicants request the issuance of the following authorities:

a) an exemption to Delta, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 40109, authorizing Delta 

to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and 

mail, on a codeshare basis, on the following routes:1

Atlanta, Georgia-Toluca, Mexico;

Houston, Texas-Monterrey, Mexico;

Laredo, Texas-Mexico City, Mexico;

Laredo, Texas-Monterrey, Mexico; and

Las Vegas, Nevada-Puerto Peñasco, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Huatulco, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Puerto Peñasco, Mexico; and

Miami, Florida-Monterrey, Mexico.

b) a statement of authorization to Aeromexico and Aerolitoral, pursuant to 14 

C.F.R. Part 212, to permit Aeromexico and/or Aerolitoral to display Delta’s 

“DL*” designator code on Aeromexico and/or Aerolitoral operated flights,

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on the following routes:

Atlanta, Georgia-Toluca, Mexico;

Chicago, Illinois-Durango, Mexico;3

Houston, Texas-Monterrey, Mexico;

Laredo, Texas-Mexico City, Mexico;

Laredo, Texas-Monterrey, Mexico;

 1 Delta is not requesting an exemption for the Los Angeles, California-León, Mexico; Los Angeles, 

California-Cancún, Mexico; Los Angeles, California-Hermosillo, Mexico; Los Angeles, CaliforniaIxtapa/Zihuatenejo, Mexico; Los Angeles, California-La Paz, Mexico; Los Angeles, CaliforniaLareto, Mexico; Miami, Florida-Mérida, Mexico; and San Antonio, Texas-Mexico City, Mexico

routes because it holds certificate authority to serve this route by Order 2010-3-12. Additionally, 

Delta is not requesting an exemption for the Chicago, Illinois-Durango, Mexico and San Antonio, 

Texas-Monterrey, Mexico routes because it holds an exemption granted in NOAT June 15, 2011 

in DOT-OST-2011-0110.

2 Aeromexico and Aerolitoral request statements of authorization that would permit either or both 

carriers to begin, end, or resume their display of the DL* code in the listed markets. This 

approach will serve the public interest by allowing Delta to hold out service without further 

Department action should operations in a market shift between Aeromexico and its affiliate. 

Aeromexico and Aerolitoral each understand that before exercising the requested statement of 

authorization in a market, the operating carrier would need to hold or obtain the necessary 

operating designation and DOT permit or exemption authority.

3 Aeromexico was previously granted statements of authorization to display DL* code in each of 

these markets, but it currently holds operating authority only in the Leon-Los Angeles and MeridaMiami markets. For administrative convenience, the Joint Applicants suggest that all five markets 

be included in the requested Aeromexico/Aerolitoral statement of authorization.
Joint Application of Delta, Aeromexico, and Aerolitoral

Page 3

Las Vegas, Nevada-Puerto Peñasco, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Cancún, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Hermosillo, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Huatulco, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-La Paz, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-León, Mexico;3

Los Angeles, California-Loreto, Mexico;

Los Angeles, California-Puerto Peñasco, Mexico;

Miami, Florida-Mérida, Mexico; 3

Miami, Florida-Monterrey, Mexico;

San Antonio, Texas-Mexico City, Mexico; 3 and

San Antonio, Texas-Monterrey, Mexico. 3

 

2. Delta further requests the Department transmit the necessary codeshareonly designations to the Government of Mexico to facilitate Mexican licensing of the 

proposed services.

3. The Joint Applicants plan to introduce the proposed codeshare services 

upon receipt of DOT and DGAC approval, and request that the exemption and statement 

of authorization be granted as soon as possible so that Delta is able to market and sell 

these services without delay.4

 Delta requests that its exemption authority be effective for 

a period of at least two years. Aeromexico and Aerolitoral request that their statements 

of authorization remain in effect indefinitely, consistent with the duration of the U.S. –

Mexico codeshare authorities granted by DOT Order 99-6-6.

4. The proposed codeshare services will be operated pursuant to the 

existing Delta/Aeromexico and Delta/Aerolitoral codeshare agreements on file with the 

Department. 

5. Delta is fit, willing, and able to perform the services applied for herein. 

Delta operates numerous services between the United States and Mexico under various 

exemptions and pursuant to Delta’s certificate authority for Route 901. See Order 2010-

3-12 and NOAT June 15, 2011 in DOT-OST-2011-0110. Delta hereby requests that the 

Department take official notice, pursuant to Rule 24 of the Department’s Rules of 

 4 The Joint Applicants request a waiver of the 45-day advance filing requirement for codeshare 

statements of authorization under 14 C.F.R. Part 212 so that the proposed codeshare services 

may begin without delay.
Joint Application of Delta, Aeromexico, and Aerolitoral

Page 4

Practice, of all data on file with the Department necessary to establish Delta’s fitness. 

Aeromexico holds the underlying economic authority to operate the following routes:

Houston-Monterrey (Permit Authority Under Order 1991-5-25);

Los Angeles-Cancun (NOAT Feb. 19, 2013 in DOT-OST-2013-0029);

Los Angeles-Hermosillo (NOAT Aug. 16, 2012 in DOT-OST-2010-0194);

Los Angeles-Huatulco (NOAT Feb. 19, 2013 in DOT-OST-2013-0029);

Los Angeles-Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo (NOAT Feb. 19, 2013 in DOT-OST-2013-0029);

Los Angeles-La Paz (Permit Authority Under Order 1991-5-25);

Los Angeles-Leon (Permit Authority Under Order 1991-5-25); and

Miami-Monterrey (NOAT June 13, 2012 in DOT-OST-2012-0090).

Aerolitoral holds underlying authority to serve the following routes:

Atlanta-Toluca (NOAT Feb. 8, 2013 in DOT-OST-2012-0211);

Chicago-Durango (NOAT Nov. 21, 2012 in DOT-OST-2012-0188);

Houston-Monterrey (NOAT Feb. 28, 2013 in DOT-OST-2013-0028);

Laredo-Mexico City (NOAT Feb. 28, 2013 in DOT-OST-2013-0028);

Laredo-Monterrey (NOAT Nov. 21, 2012 in DOT-OST-2012-0188);

Las Vegas-Puerto Peñasco (NOAT Feb. 28, 2013 in DOT-OST-2013-0028);

Los Angeles-Hermosillo (NOAT Nov. 21, 2012 in DOT-OST-2012-0188);

Los Angeles-La Paz (NOAT Feb. 28, 2013 in DOT-OST-2013-0028);

Los Angeles-Leon (NOAT Nov. 21, 2012 in DOT-OST-2012-0188);

Los Angeles-Loreto (NOAT Nov. 21, 2012 in DOT-OST-2012-0188);

Los Angeles-Puerto Peñasco (NOAT Feb. 28, 2013 in DOT-OST-2013-0028);

Miami-Monterrey (NOAT Feb. 28, 2013 in DOT-OST-2013-0028);

San Antonio-Monterrey (NOAT Feb. 28, 2013 in DOT-OST-2013-0028); and 

San Antonio-Mexico City (NOAT Nov. 21, 2012 in DOT-OST-2012-0188).

6. Approval of the requested authority is in the public interest and will 

provide important new service and competitive options to U.S. – Mexico travelers and 

shippers. Authorizing Delta to display its code on Aeromexico and Aerolitoral’s

transborder flights will enhance competition and expand price and service options for 

U.S. – Mexico travelers.

7. Approval of the exemption and statement of authorization is consistent 

with the U.S. – Mexico Air Transport Services Agreement, including the amendment that 

was signed on December 12, 2005. The Department has granted multiple similar 

U.S. – Mexico transborder codesharing requests, finding that the exercise of such 

codeshare rights “will benefit travelers, shippers, businesses, cities, airlines, and 

airports.” DOT Order 99-6-6, at 6. Moreover, the amended agreement authorizes up to 

ten U.S. carriers to provide codeshare services on any nonstop U.S. – Mexico city-pair 

segment, leaving abundant opportunities for other carriers.
Joint Application of Delta, Aeromexico, and Aerolitoral

Page 5

8. Delta further states that the services for which it seeks the authority 

described in this Joint Application will have no impact on its CRAF commitments.

WHEREFORE, Delta, Aeromexico, and Aerolitoral request that the Department 

promptly grant the exemption and statements of authorization described herein. 

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ John R. Mietus, Jr. /s/ 

_______________________ _____________________

John R. Mietus, Jr.

Law Office of John Mietus, LLC

Counsel for

For AEROVIAS de MEXICO, S.A. de C.V. 

and AEROLITORAL, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a 

AEROMEXICO CONNECT

Alexander Van der Bellen

Managing Director, Government Affairs

 & Associate General Counsel

DELTA AIR LINES, INC.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

A copy of the foregoing Joint Application has been served this 14th day of March, 2013

upon the following persons via email:

Air Carrier Name Email Address

Alaska Airlines Marshall Sinick msinick@ssd.com

American Francis Heil francis.heil@aa.com

American Robert Wirick robert.wirick@aa.com

Arrow Cargo Pierre Murphy pmurphy@lopmurphy.com

Frontier/Republic Bob Cohn robert.cohn@hoganlovells.com

Frontier/Republic Pat Rizzi patrick.rizzi@hoganlovells.com

Hawaiian Jonathan Hill jhill@dowlohnes.com

JetBlue Robert Land robert.land@jetblue.com

Southwest/AirTran Bob Kneisley bob.kneisley@wnco.com

Spirit Airlines David Kirstein dkirstein@yklaw.com

Spirit Airlines Joanne Young jyoung@yklaw.com

Sun Country John Fredericksen john.fredericksen@suncountry.com

United/Continental Dan Weiss dan.weiss@united.com

United/Continental Thomas Bolling thomas.bolling@united.com

US Airways Benjamin Slocum benjamin.slocum@usairways.com

US Airways Howard Kass howard_kass@usairways.com

Virgin America Barbara Russell barbara.russell@virginamerica.com

Esta Rosenberg esta.rosenberg@dot.gov

Brian Hedberg brian.hedberg@dot.gov

Info info@airlineinfo.com