Washington announced that it revoked the approval of 13 Mexican airline routes to its territory and canceled all combined passenger and cargo flights of Mexican airlines to the US from Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA).
In issuing the order, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that Mexico “illegally canceled and grounded U.S. airline flights for three years without consequences.”
Duffy’s order also cancels current or planned flights by Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus, and freezes the growth of combined passenger and cargo services — known as belly cargo— between the United States and Benito Juárez International Airport, the main and oldest airport in Mexico City.
Duffy also proposes prohibiting Mexican passenger airlines from transporting air cargo between Benito Juárez and the United States, which would come into effect in about three months if finalized.
“Until Mexico stops playing games and fulfills its commitments, we will continue to demand accountability. No country should be able to take advantage of our airlines, our market and our passengers without consequences,” Duffy said.
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The Transportation Department noted that Mexico has not complied with a bilateral aviation agreement since 2022, when it revoked the slots (landing and takeoff times) of US passenger airlines and forced US cargo airlines to relocate their operations.
Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation, Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The disapproved flights include Aeroméxico service between Mexico City (Benito Juárez) and San Juan; Volaris service between Benito Juárez and Newark, New Jersey; proposed Viva Aerobus services between AIFA and Austin, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and Orlando; and Aeroméxico’s current service between AIFA and Houston and McAllen, Texas.
The Department of Transportation warned that Mexico’s continued non-compliance “could impact the travel plans of U.S. citizens. Passengers should contact their airline for specific accommodation information.”
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Last month, the Transportation Department ordered Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico to dissolve a joint alliance that allowed them to coordinate schedules, prices and capacity on flights between the US and Mexico, as part of measures aimed at Mexican aviation, citing concerns about competition.
In August, the department said the alliance should end due to “continued anticompetitive effects in the markets between the United States and Mexico City that give an unfair advantage to Delta and Aeromexico.” Previously, it had also ordered Mexican airlines to present their flight schedules.
Last month, Duffy warned European governments against imposing unilateral restrictions on transatlantic travel, stating that Washington is prepared to enforce international agreements, a stance reinforced by recent actions against Mexico over similar concerns.
With information from Reuters.
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