Delta, WestJet enter JV agreement

Delta Airlines and Canadian low-cost carrier WestJet have signed an agreement “to create a comprehensive transborder joint venture arrangement” to expand their existing codeshare partnership, a memorandum of understanding signed back in December 2017.

A statement from the companies says the agreement will “provide substantial reach into Canada and the U.S.” The cross-border services will cover more than 30 cities and “over 95 percent of U.S.-Canada demand,” Delta said, adding that the agreement “will also include the ability to cooperate on cargo accompanying passenger flights as well as corporate contracts.”

Delta has had a busy week – on Tuesday, entering into another JV with Korean Air in a move that will increase its trans-Pacific presence and introduce Korean Air to the U.S. market.

For WestJet – the second largest Canadian carrier next to Air Canada – the move is a leap toward its objective of becoming a “global airline.” Currently, its network encompasses hubs across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.