The Trump administration implemented new restrictions on flights from Mexico, impacting Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico amid ongoing trade disputes. The measures, announced on a Saturday in October 2023, come as a response to the Mexican government’s previous limitations on both passenger and cargo flights to Mexico City.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that Mexico’s insistence on shifting airlines from the main Benito Juarez International Airport to the newly established Felipe Angeles International Airport, located over 30 miles away, constitutes a violation of the bilateral aviation agreement between the two nations. Duffy argued that this policy gives Mexican domestic airlines an unfair competitive edge.
Mexico has emerged as the leading foreign destination for American travelers, with over 40 million passengers flying there last year. In his statement, Duffy criticized the previous administration, asserting, “Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg deliberately allowed Mexico to break our bilateral aviation agreement. That ends today.” He emphasized that these new restrictions serve as a warning to any country attempting to exploit U.S. carriers and markets, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to an “America First” policy.
Under these new rules, all Mexican airlines, including passenger, cargo, and charter services, must now submit their flight schedules to the U.S. Transportation Department for approval. This requirement will remain in place until Duffy is satisfied with Mexico’s treatment of U.S. airlines. The implications of these actions on the broader trade conflict with Mexico and ongoing tariff negotiations remain uncertain.
A spokesperson for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum did not respond to inquiries regarding the restrictions, and Sheinbaum did not address the issue at a public event on the same day. Meanwhile, Delta and Aeromexico have been contesting the Transportation Department’s attempts to dissolve their partnership, which has been in effect since 2016.
The airlines argue that penalizing them for the actions of the Mexican government is unjust. They contend that terminating their agreement could jeopardize nearly two dozen routes and result in a loss of $800 million in annual consumer savings. In a statement, Delta expressed concern about the U.S. Department of Transportation’s proposed termination of their partnership, stating it would significantly harm consumers traveling between the U.S. and Mexico, as well as impact U.S. jobs and communities.
Aeromexico’s press office confirmed it is reviewing the new order and plans to issue a joint response with Delta in the coming days. Notably, the order to end approval of the airlines’ partnership will not take effect until October 2023, allowing time for further negotiations and potential appeals from both airlines.
As this situation develops, the actions taken by the Trump administration could set a precedent for future aviation and trade negotiations between the two countries, highlighting the delicate balance of international relations in the aviation sector.