US Imposes Flight Restrictions on Mexico over Slot Disputes

The U.S. government, under President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, is imposing new restrictions on Mexican airlines in retaliation for Mexico's actions that violate the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement. Mexico's cancellation of flight slots and enforced relocation of U.S. cargo operations from Benito Juarez International Airport to the less convenient Felipe Angeles International Airport have led the U.S. to threaten disapproval of new flight requests from Mexico. These measures aim to address what the U.S. describes as unfair treatment and anti-competitive behavior harming American carriers and disrupting trade and tourism, which involves over 30 million passengers annually between the two countries. The U.S. Department of Transportation is also considering withdrawing antitrust immunity from the Delta-Aeromexico joint venture, escalating tensions further. Delta Airlines has warned that these restrictions could negatively impact consumers, jobs, and competition on both sides of the border. Overall, the Trump administration emphasizes an "America First" approach to restore fairness and protect U.S. aviation interests in the bilateral relationship.