Mexico City, Mexico — A total of 13 Mexican airline routes current or planned to the U.S. have been revoked. The announcement was made Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
The decision to revoke approval is following allegations of Mexico’s failure to comply with a 2015 air transport agreement, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
Mexico “illegally canceled and froze flights operated by a U.S. airline for three years without consequences,” Duffy said in a statement regarding the order.
The order suspends services between the United States and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) and freezes any new or expanded routes from Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM).
In a statement Wednesday, the SICT (Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes) said it reaffirms its commitment to safe, efficient and competitive aviation. “The SICT reports that actions have been taken to prioritize the safety and operation of the Mexican Aeronautical System in accordance with the Bilateral Agreement and with respect for National Sovereignty.”
In their statement, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation reported the suspension of two routes currently operating from AIFA will be effective from November 7.
The SICT added that this also includes the cancellation of 11 routes scheduled to begin operating to the United States from AIFA and Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM), with immediate effect.
This executive order will not allow applications for new routes or frequency increases from AIFA or AICM to the U.S., until further notice.
The second order warns of the possibility of prohibiting permits for Mexican airlines to transport combined cargo on passenger flights between the AICM and the United States.
“With regard to this order, the DOT grants 14 days, that is, until November 11, 2025, for comments and an additional 7 days, until November 18, 2025, for rebuttals. If confirmed and the order is final, the ban will take effect 108 business days after that date,” Mexico’s SICT explained.
