Washington: The U.S. government has announced new restrictions on flights from Mexico, accusing the country of breaching the bilateral air agreement concerning aviation access and fairness. This decision marks an escalation in the ongoing dispute over aviation rights between the two nations.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the U.S. Department of Transportation revealed that Mexico has been non-compliant with the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement since 2022. This non-compliance began when Mexico unexpectedly rescinded slots and compelled U.S. all-cargo carriers to shift their operations. This move, according to Mexico's then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, was due to overcrowding at the capital's main airport, Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX), which required renovation ahead of the 2026 World Cup, partially hosted by Mexico. He suggested that a new airport located approximately 48 kilometers away could handle the additional traffic.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's statement criticized Mexico's actions, stating that by restricting slots and mandating cargo operations to move from MEX, Mexico broke its commitments, disrupted the market, and imposed millions in increased costs on American businesses. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced three "America First actions" to address the situation, including requiring Mexican airlines to file schedules with the U.S. Department of Transportation for all U.S. operations, obtaining prior department approval before operating any large passenger or cargo aircraft charter flights to or from the U.S., and potentially withdrawing antitrust immunity from the Delta Air Lines joint venture with Aeromexico.
The partnership between Delta and Aeromexico, which commenced in 2016, has been under scrutiny since early last year. Both airlines have argued against the department's threats, stating that it is unjust to penalize them for actions taken by the Mexican government. They estimate that dissolving their partnership could adversely affect nearly two dozen routes and result in approximately 800 million U.S. dollars in annual consumer savings being lost.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has indicated it reserves the right to reject flight requests from Mexico if the country fails to address these issues. Mexico, a popular international destination for U.S. travelers, welcomed about 45 million international tourists in 2024, as reported by the Mexican National Institute of Statistics and Geography.