US Revokes 13 Mexican Flight Routes Over Bilateral Aviation Dispute

The U.S. Department of Transportation, under Secretary Sean Duffy in the Trump administration, has revoked approval for 13 flight routes operated by Mexican airlines between Mexico City and various U.S. cities, citing violations of the 2015 Air Transport Agreement. This action specifically halts combined passenger and cargo flights from Mexico City's Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) to the U.S., affecting airlines such as Aeromexico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus. The U.S. DOT accuses Mexico of anti-competitive behavior, including illegally cancelling and freezing U.S. carrier flights, restricting cargo operations at Mexico City's main airport Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM), and forcing cargo operations to relocate to AIFA, which has disadvantaged U.S. airlines. Flights currently operating must be suspended by November 7, and all planned routes are canceled immediately, with no approval for flight frequency expansions until further notice. The U.S. also proposes to ban Mexican passenger airlines from transporting belly cargo between Juarez and the U.S., pending finalization. Mexico's government has pushed back against these moves, indicating a desire for talks to resolve the dispute.