Washington denounces violations of the bilateral aviation agreement. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is calling on Mexico to "stop playing and honor its commitments."
The U.S. Transportation (DoT) has revoked its approval for 13 Mexican airline routes into the United States, citing similar treatment by Mexico that's yet to be addressed.
It also revoked U.S. access for all Mexican “belly cargo” flights that carry both passengers and cargo in and out of Mexico City's Felipe Angeles International Airport.
The latest order cancels current or planned flights by Mexican airlines Aeromexico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus.
On Oct. 28, U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) Secretary Sean Duffy has issued a new order cancelling all combination service between the United States and Felipe Angeles International Airport in Mexico in response to Mexico's continued abuse of Bilateral Aviation Agreement. The cancellation will slash 13 current or planned routes by Mexican carriers into the United States.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's order effectively freezes any growth of Mexican carriers' combination services between the United States and Mexico's Benito Juarez International Airport.
U.S. Department of Transportation says, Mexico has illegally cancelled and frozen U.S. carrier flights for three years without consequences. All the while, Mexican carriers have been adding new routes and services between MEX and the United States.
As per Dot, Mexico has not been in compliance with the bilateral agreement since 2022 when it abruptly rescinded U.S. passenger carriers’ slots and then forced U.S. all-cargo carriers to relocate operations. Mexico claimed its actions were temporary to allow for construction to alleviate congestion at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) that has yet to materialize three years later.
By restricting slots and mandating that all-cargo operations move out of MEX, Mexico has broken its promise, disrupted the market, and left American businesses holding the bag for millions in increased costs.
Secretary Sean Duffy said:
"Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg were too weak to stand up to Mexico when they walked all over our bilateral aviation agreement. These deals are binding, and like our trade agreements, President Trump is going to put America First and enforce them."
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy justified the action by declaring that "until Mexico stopped playing and honored its commitments, we would continue to hold them accountable."
"Until Mexico stops the games and honors its commitments, we will continue to hold them accountable. No country should be able to take advantage of our carriers, our market, and our flyers without repercussions."
The U.S. Transportation Department said the government of Mexico's continued non-compliance may impact travel plans for American citizens. Passengers have been advised to contact their carrier for specific re-accommodation information.
In addition to these actions, Secretary Duffy is also proposing a prohibition of Mexican passenger airlines from transporting belly cargo between Mexico and the United States. This action would take effect 108 business days after it is finalized.
The flights that DoT has now disapproved include:
In July, Secretary Duffy had put Mexico on notice for its blatant disregard of the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement and its ongoing anti-competitive behavior. Mexico has promised to level the playing field but remains unwilling to address the United States' concerns, the Transportation Department said said in a press release.
The administration framed the decision as part of a broader push to enforce international aviation agreements and ensure "fair and pro-competitive" markets.
The conflict underscored friction with Sheinbaum, who in July 2025, faced with similar initial restrictions, stated that "there was no reason for Mexico to receive sanctions for changes in the capital's airport system" and defended the transfer of operations to AIFA as a measure to decongest the Benito Juárez and promote regional development.
In September 2025, following the DOT's order to dissolve the joint venture between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico, effective January 1, 2026 for anticompetitive effects in markets between the United States and Mexico City, Sheinbaum rejected the U.S. decision, arguing that Mexico had addressed all of the DOT's observations and that it did not understand or accept the termination of the alliance.
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