Mexico Slams US DOT Flight Route Cuts, Demands Talks

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has strongly opposed the US decision to revoke approval for 13 airline routes operated by Mexican carriers between Mexico and the US.

This decision includes canceling all combined passenger and cargo flights from Mexico City’s Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) to US destinations.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) justified the move by pointing to ongoing breaches of the 2015 US-Mexico Air Transport Agreement. They highlighted unfair competitive practices by Mexico, including the country’s unilateral suspension of US airlines’ flights for three years without facing penalties.

The DOT’s goal with this decision is to level the playing field and protect US carriers who were previously disadvantaged.

The affected routes involve key players like Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus, impacting flights to major US airports, including Houston Bush, Austin-Bergstrom, Dallas-Fort Worth, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando.

Sheinbaum called the move “unilateral” and plans to seek direct negotiations with US officials to resolve the issue. She argued the decision ignores Mexico’s interests and undermines the importance of open, cooperative aviation ties between the two countries.

As part of the decision, the US DOT ordered Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico to end their joint venture by January 1, 2026. In response, the two airlines challenged the DOT’s ruling to preserve their partnership that has been shaping cross-border travel for almost ten years.

Photo by Jorge Aguilar on Unsplash