Some possible reasons why Delta/AF-KLM might want to keep the VAA brand rather than just use slots (suppositions not facts):
- Brand loyalty - if brand ditched no guarantee pax will stay with Delta
- Higher yields route for route than Delta - use Delta leverage to reduce costs and therefore make VAA profitable
- Route rights to the East from LHR
- Airlines evolving into multi-brands like hotels - VAA brand could be rolled out elsewhere targetted at specifc demographic
- No deal with SRB without brand retention for at least five years (as per article)
Any others?