Mexico awaits approval for the airline merger between Volaris and Viva

Mexico's National Antitrust Commission will approve the merger between low-cost airlines Volaris and Viva later this year, thus creating the country's largest airline group, called Más Vuelos. According to six sources close to the matter, the authority will require the new company to keep fares low, avoid mass layoffs and preserve most of its current routes.

The two companies will maintain their identities and have confirmed full cooperation. Viva assured that it will continue to "cooperate with the authorities", while Volaris said it is "working closely with regulators", reiterating its confidence in the "strategic merits of the transaction". The alliance will be led by Viva's current president, Roberto Alcántara.

Together, the two companies operate about three-quarters of Mexico's domestic routes. The agreement, driven by post-pandemic financial difficulties, includes a commitment to increase flights at secondary airports such as Tulum and Felipe Ángeles. The operation has already received the green light in Colombia and the United States, but aroused opposition from competitor Aeromexico.