ch-aviation
• Daniel Martinez Garbuno
A pilot union is asking Mexican authorities to reject the proposed combination of Volaris and Viva, putting labor opposition and regulatory scrutiny at the center of the airlines’ prospective merger. The request adds another obstacle to a transaction involving two major Mexican carriers.
Antitrust
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A pilot union is asking Mexican authorities to reject the proposed combination of Volaris and Viva, putting labor opposition and regulatory scrutiny at the center of the airlines’ prospective merger. The request adds another obstacle to a transaction involving two major Mexican carriers.
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Akasa Air supports a proposed Indian policy change that would allow airport operators to run airlines, according to its top executive. The position contrasts with market leader IndiGo’s opposition, setting up a debate over competition and the relationship between airport ownership and airline operations.
Brazil’s CADE has approved American Airlines’ $100 million investment for an approximately 8% stake in Azul Linhas Aéreas, without imposing shareholder restrictions. The decision clears a regulatory hurdle for Azul’s restructuring and strengthens the carriers’ broader commercial relationship, including codeshare expansion and seasonal network development.
Brazil’s antitrust regulator has approved American Airlines’ planned $100 million investment in Azul, advancing the Brazilian carrier’s restructuring. The decision removes a regulatory hurdle to the transaction and gives Azul access to strategic capital as it works to stabilize its business.
Italy’s competition watchdog (AGCM) is refunding Ryanair €4.2 million (US$4.8 million) after the Council of State ruled AGCM had discriminated against the low-cost carrier in a 2021 Covid-linked competition fine. The repayment follows a discrimination-based legal finding against the authority’s approach.
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Singapore Airlines reported a S$76 million quarterly loss despite record revenue as jet-fuel costs jumped and Air India’s continued restructuring drag deepened group losses. Separately, Tata flagged Air India’s transformation timeline slipping amid “external headwinds,” while SIA also pushed back key premium-cabin rollout on the A350-900 to 2027.
Singapore Airlines and ANA-All Nippon Airways signed a joint venture (JV) agreement on January 31 to deepen commercial ties between the two Asian carriers, according to a joint press release. The deal is framed as a step toward closer cooperation in their Japan–Singapore operations and beyond.
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United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reportedly approached Delta Air Lines about a merger last year, including early due diligence and direct talks with Delta CEO Ed Bastian. The concept would have combined the two largest U.S. carriers, aiming for an airline with roughly 35% share of the domestic market, but was later ruled out amid major antitrust hurdles.
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