DOJ approves antitrust immunity for most of SkyTeam for transatlantic flights

Yesterday, the US Department of Justice tentatively approved antitrust immunity for several SkyTeam carriers:

The decision, if finalized, will enable Northwest, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, Alitalia, and CSA Czech Airlines to expand their transatlantic networks by coordinating schedules and services.

And an article by the Minneapolis-St.Paul Tribune has a quote from Northwest's CEO, Doug Steenland:

Steenland was at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Tuesday for a ceremony marking the inaugural nonstop flight between the Twin Cities and Paris.  Northwest's ability to attract passengers to support that service would be greatly enhanced by antitrust immunity with the other carriers, Steenland said.

The Wall Street Journal speculates that this makes a Delta/Northwest merger one step closer to reality:

Although not directly related to continuing efforts by Delta and Northwest to negotiate a merger, the ruling paves the way for easier integration of the routes both carriers fly to Europe.

Most of these articles don't make it clear that if this is approved it will allow these airlines to share revenue on their transatlantic routes.  This sort of revenue sharing is not unheard of.  United and Lufthansa do it.  So do Northwest and KLM/Air France.

While it may make scheduling more convenient and perhaps provide easier ability to switch between carriers, by essentially reducing the number of airlines competing for dollars on transatlantic routes you would think this would help the airlines be able to raise fares.