US DOT suspends review application of Allegiant-Viva Aerobus Joint venture

The US Department of Transportation has suspended the review of the joint venture application between Allegiant Air and Viva Aerobus, citing outstanding questions about the implementation of the US-Mexico air transportation agreement. Allegiant and Viva proposed the joint venture initially in 2021. Their partnership requires approval from the Mexican Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE) and the US Department of Transportation (US-DOT). In a letter dated July 31, 2023, Carol Petsonk, the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs at the DOT, said that the agency suspended its review of the application by Allegiant Air and Viva Aerobus for antitrust immunity