President Claudia Sheinbaum reported this Monday that the Mexican Aviation airline and other national companies agreed to give up some takeoff and landing times (slots) at the Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City (AICM) to US airlines, amid Washington’s threat of sanctions for the distribution of flights.
In October, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) issued an order to revoke thirteen airline routes to United States territory, accusing Mexico of violating the terms of the bilateral air transport agreement.
The president explained that the Government recently held a meeting with the United States Department of Transportation in which the importance of North American airlines operating at both the AICM and the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) was insisted on, as a strategy to balance air cargo in the metropolitan region and integrate the two airfields into a single system.
“Mexico City has two airports or the metropolitan area has two airports. And what we want is for the two airports to have enough flights and be part of a system,” he stated.
Sheinbaum added that it is not about “winning” operations for one or the other, but rather the United States recognizing the need to promote both.
“It is not a matter of whether it is the AIFA against the Benito Juárez (AICM) (…) but the fact that it is very important that they recognize the importance of promoting the two airports, also with their American airlines,” he highlighted.
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The head of state confirmed that, weeks ago, Mexico applied a redistribution of “slots”, through which Mexican airlines, including Mexicana de Aviación, according to sector sources, gave up slots to US companies “within a framework of competitiveness.”
Sheinbaum announced that a new digital management system will come into operation in 2026 to improve transparency and equitable allocation.
“In such a way that there can be sufficient competition and distribution in all airlines, which are the agreements that have been signed with the United States and with other airlines from other parts of the world,” he said.
Regarding how many “slots” will be returned or reassigned, Sheinbaum indicated that it is up to the AICM and the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation to report the final number.
“It is an internal arrangement in which the Mexican airlines also agreed to guarantee competition,” he stated.
Regarding the AIFA, on the outskirts of the capital, the president assured that the cargo airlines are satisfied with its operation.
“I met with the freighters personally to see what they need (…) in general there is a good atmosphere,” he said.
With information from EFE
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