The aviation dispute with Mexico intensified Saturday after the United States imposed fresh restrictions on flights from its southern neighbor. The decision followed mounting concerns over Mexico’s treatment of U.S. airlines operating at Mexico City airports.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the new policy in Washington. He claimed Mexico violated a trade agreement by favoring its own carriers. Duffy specifically objected to Mexico’s decision to push airlines from Benito Juarez Airport to Felipe Angeles Airport, over 30 miles away.
“This move creates unfair conditions for U.S. airlines,” Duffy explained during a press briefing. “It violates the principle of balanced competition.”
He also blamed the previous administration for not defending U.S. aviation interests. “Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg allowed Mexico to violate our aviation rights,” Duffy stated. “That ends today.”
As part of the response, all Mexican airlines must now seek approval for passenger, cargo, and charter flights into the U.S. Duffy stressed that this measure will remain in place until Mexico complies with fair aviation practices.
Meanwhile, it remains unclear how this will affect broader trade discussions. Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has not commented on the issue. She also avoided mentioning the new U.S. actions during her public appearances on Saturday. Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico, which have operated under a partnership since 2016, now face uncertainty.
Delta warned that dissolving the agreement would harm tourism, jobs, and connectivity. The airline claimed it would affect nearly two dozen routes and risk $800 million in economic activity.
Aeromexico echoed those concerns. The airline said it is reviewing the U.S. order and will respond in coordination with Delta.
However, the aviation dispute with Mexico will not be resolved overnight. The termination order will not take effect until October. Until then, both airlines are expected to keep fighting to protect their partnership.
According to a filing by the airlines, canceling flights could discourage over 230,000 tourists from traveling between the two nations. They also warned it could damage economic ties built through years of cross-border cooperation.
For now, the aviation dispute with Mexico adds a new layer of tension to an already complex U.S.–Mexico relationship.
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