U.S. TENTATIVELY APPROVES DELTA, WESTJET ALLIANCE

The U.S. Transportation Department said on Friday it had tentatively approved a proposed alliance agreement between Delta Air Lines and Canada’s Westjet Airlines Ltd. that is expected to expand travel options between the United States and Canada. The department said it would require the carriers remove Swoop, an ultra low-cost carrier affiliate of Westjet, from the alliance, and divest 16 takeoff and landing slots at New York’s Laguardia Airport. Last week, Westjet said it was suspending operations to four cities in Atlantic Canada and slashing service to others in the region as the pandemic continues to take a toll on the airline industry. The airline said it was also suspending operations between Toronto and Quebec City. Calgary-based Westjet is owned by private equity firm Onex Corp.