=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2002/03/13/f= inancial2154EST0421.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, March 13, 2002 (AP) Delta, Korean Air apply for U.S. antitrust immunity (03-13) 18:54 PST SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Delta Air Lines and Korean Air have filed for an antitrust exemption from the U.S. government that would let them broaden their partnership, both companies said Thursday. The application, filed with the U.S. Transportation Department on Wednesday, will help the two carriers coordinate prices, share some revenues and closely align their routes and services, a joint news statement said. The alliance will "increase trans-Pacific competition by allowing Delta and Korean Air to better compete on equal terms with the networks of rival global alliances," it said. Korean Air expects that the U.S. regulators would need about six months = to review the application. If approved, the exemption would mark the first time that immunity has been granted to an Asian carrier. Washington in January granted antitrust immunity to Delta and its three European airline partners_ Air France, Alitalia and CSA Czech Airlines. Delta and Korean Air are already partners in the SkyTeam alliance, which also has Aeromexico, Alitalia and CSA Czech as members. The alliance includes flight-sharing and frequent flyer programs. Last month, Delta lifted a 21/2-year ban on code-sharing with Korean Air, which was imposed because of concerns over the South Korean carrier's safety record. The codeshare agreement allows an airline to sell and market some seats = on another carriers as its own. On the Net: www.delta.com www.koreanair.com =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2002 AP