Six SkyTeam Carriers File Expanded Antitrust Immunity Application With U.S. DOT

SkyTeam carriers Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Northwest Airlines (NYSE:NWA) today have applied with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for antitrust immunity for transatlantic routings. Delta currently has antitrust immunity with Air France, Alitalia and CSA, while Northwest has antitrust immunity with KLM.

Included in the application is a joint venture agreement between Air France, Delta, KLM and Northwest that would create a comprehensive and integrated partnership among the four SkyTeam members across the Atlantic.

A more integrated SkyTeam alliance offers significant advantages to consumers, including more choice in flight schedules, travel times, services and fares. The DOT has approved more than 20 applications for antitrust immunity in the past, including the recent approval of immunity for nine Star Alliance members.

This application is the first under the landmark European Union-U.S. open skies treaty which creates the largest, most important, and fully liberalized air transport marketplace in the world.

Northwest Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,400 daily departures. Northwest is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of the world’s most extensive global networks. Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 900 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents.