THE Trump administration warned it will take action against Mexico after the Mexican government cut flight slots and forced cargo carriers to relocate operations in Mexico City, affecting us airlines.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement the department could disapprove flight requests from Mexico if the government fails to address US concerns over decisions made in 2022 and 2023.
The Department of Transportation is also proposing to withdraw antitrust immunity from Delta Air Lines' joint venture with Aeromexico to address competitive issues.
Mexico is the most popular international destination for US airline travellers, according to Reuters.
Delta said if the DOT withdraws approval, it 'would cause significant harm to consumers travelling between the US and Mexico, as well as US jobs, communities, and transborder competition.'
Aeromexico said it was preparing a joint response to the order, which it plans to issue in the coming days.
The DOT alleges Mexico has violated a bilateral air agreement by slashing slots for passenger flights and forcing all-cargo carriers to relocate operations.
Then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador defended the decisions, arguing that the capital's main airport was too crowded and that the new, farther-away Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) could handle the extra traffic.
Officials are rushing to renovate the aging Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) ahead of next year's World Cup, for which Mexico is a host country.
'By restricting slots and mandating that all-cargo operations move out of MEX, Mexico has broken its promise, disrupted the market, and left American businesses holding the bag for millions in increased costs,' the DOT said.
The AIFA is already at full capacity for cargo handling and needs to be expanded. For passenger flights, it lags far behind MEX as transportation to and from the city remains spotty.
'The move not only disrupted critical air cargo operations and set a dangerous precedent for how all-cargo carriers may be treated in global markets, but it also created uncertainty about how potential safety emergencies could be handled,' said the Cargo Airline Association, which represents major U.S cargo carriers.
Mexico's Transportation Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement the department could disapprove flight requests from Mexico if the government fails to address US concerns over decisions made in 2022 and 2023.
The Department of Transportation is also proposing to withdraw antitrust immunity from Delta Air Lines' joint venture with Aeromexico to address competitive issues.
Mexico is the most popular international destination for US airline travellers, according to Reuters.
Delta said if the DOT withdraws approval, it 'would cause significant harm to consumers travelling between the US and Mexico, as well as US jobs, communities, and transborder competition.'
Aeromexico said it was preparing a joint response to the order, which it plans to issue in the coming days.
The DOT alleges Mexico has violated a bilateral air agreement by slashing slots for passenger flights and forcing all-cargo carriers to relocate operations.
Then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador defended the decisions, arguing that the capital's main airport was too crowded and that the new, farther-away Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) could handle the extra traffic.
Officials are rushing to renovate the aging Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) ahead of next year's World Cup, for which Mexico is a host country.
'By restricting slots and mandating that all-cargo operations move out of MEX, Mexico has broken its promise, disrupted the market, and left American businesses holding the bag for millions in increased costs,' the DOT said.
The AIFA is already at full capacity for cargo handling and needs to be expanded. For passenger flights, it lags far behind MEX as transportation to and from the city remains spotty.
'The move not only disrupted critical air cargo operations and set a dangerous precedent for how all-cargo carriers may be treated in global markets, but it also created uncertainty about how potential safety emergencies could be handled,' said the Cargo Airline Association, which represents major U.S cargo carriers.
Mexico's Transportation Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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