A United States appeals court has temporarily blocked a Trump administration order requiring Delta Air Lines Inc. and Aeromexico to end their transborder joint venture.

On Wednesday, a three-judge panel at the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta agreed to pause the order while the airlines’ request for a review is under consideration.

The joint venture allows Delta and Aeromexico to coordinate pricing, marketing, and loyalty programs.

The U.S. Transportation Department had issued a final order in September, directing the carriers to dissolve the partnership by January 1.

At the time, the department said the airlines are the leading competitors between the U.S. and Mexico City, giving them an “unfair advantage,” and that their collaboration posed “unacceptable actual and potential harm” to stakeholders, including consumers.

The airlines filed an appeal last month to challenge the directive.

Delta, which holds a 20 per cent stake in Aeromexico, welcomed the court’s decision to suspend the order.

The airline said it remains “supportive of the Administration’s efforts to hold Mexico accountable in a way that doesn’t harm a U.S. company or U.S. consumers.”