Virgin Atlantic and Delta have been given formal approval to operate a joint venture on flights across the Atlantic.
The US Department of Transportation has granted the two airlines anti-trust immunity (ATI) on routes between the UK and the US, which will allow it to take on the existing British Airways-American Airlines joint business.
The move was expected after the DOT gave preliminary clearance to the Virgin-Delta tie-up earlier this month.
The approval will allow Delta and Virgin to harmonise their schedule between Heathrow and JFK airport in New York from March 30, 2014.
Virgin’s CEO Craig Kreeger said: “Our partnership with Delta means we will be able to offer convenient aligned schedules and a much broader network, giving the best possible travel choices and on board experience to transatlantic passengers.
“For almost 30 years Virgin Atlantic has offered an award-winning experience and service to passengers travelling across the Atlantic, and today’s ATI approval means we can build on this momentum and improve the consumer landscape at Heathrow for the better.”
Delta has also completed the purchase of a 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic from previous shareholder Singapore Airlines.
Ed Bastian, Delta’s president added: “The freedom to cooperate fully with Virgin Atlantic will initiate a new era of greater competition in the New York to London market where it is much needed.
“We have a proven record in making joint ventures succeed and we look forward to building our relationship with Virgin Atlantic.”
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virgin-atlantic.com