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The US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on Friday the immediate revocation of restrictions it imposed a year ago on Mexican airlines. These restrictions were a response to Mexico’s non-compliance with a 2015 air transport agreement. The decision comes after several months of negotiations between the two countries, culminating in Mexico’s concession to the demands of its northern neighbor.
Mexico Agrees to Fair Slot Access at AICM
In May, Mexico agreed to grant US airlines fair access to operate slots at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM). This agreement was a key factor in the US decision to lift the restrictions.
Impact of Previous Restrictions
The US Executive’s decision in October of the previous year led to the cancellation of 13 routes, either operational or in the process of launching. The order also eliminated all combined services between the US and Mexico’s Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) and restricted “existing, proposed, and future operations of Mexican carriers,” according to a statement from the Mexican Ministry of Labor.
Significant Advance for Air Connectivity
The Mexican agency stated that this revocation represents “a significant advance for air connectivity between both countries and reopens the possibility of developing routes and frequencies from AICM and AIFA to the US market.” They also indicated that dialogue and “cooperation” between the two countries strengthened after the memorandum signed in May, where Mexico acceded to US requests. “Since then, Mexico has advanced in the agreed commitments,” it emphasized.
Initial Caution from Washington
The signing of the memorandum brought good expectations for Washington, although it remained cautious initially. “We need to see these promises translate into action. Until then, our restriction on Mexican airlines will remain in effect,” said Sean P. Duffy, US Secretary of Transportation (DOT), at the time. This agreement occurred less than two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was held in both territories and Canada.
Mexico’s Non-Compliance with Bilateral Agreement
The United States argued in October of the previous year that Mexico had not complied with the bilateral agreement since 2022, when it abruptly withdrew slots from US airlines and forced its cargo airlines to relocate their operations to AIFA. “By restricting slots and requiring cargo operations to move out of Mexico City, it broke its promise, destabilized the market, and left US companies with millions of dollars in additional costs,” the US Department of Transportation stated at the time.
Source: elpais.com
