The Trump administration has put new rules in place for flights from Mexico to the U.S. These rules come as a response to how the Mexican government has been limiting passenger and cargo flights into Mexico City in recent years.
The U.S. government is also warning that it might end the long-time partnership between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico. This partnership has been active since 2016 and allows the two airlines to work together on flights between the two countries.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy blamed President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for allowing Mexico to break an aviation agreement between the two countries. He said, “America First means fighting for fairness.”
The U.S. believes Mexico is giving its own airlines an unfair advantage by moving flights away from the main Mexico City airport (Benito Juarez International Airport) to a newer airport called Felipe Angeles, which is over 30 miles away. This, they say, goes against international rules.
Because of this, the U.S. will now require all Mexican airlines — passenger, cargo, and charter — to get approval for their flight schedules before flying to the U.S.
Mexico is a top destination for American travelers, with over 40 million passengers flying there last year. The new rule may impact this travel flow.
Delta and Aeromexico strongly disagree with the decision. They say that canceling their partnership could affect more than 230,000 passengers, hurt tourism, and damage both the U.S. and Mexican economies. They also argue it’s not fair to punish airlines for decisions made by the Mexican government.
The airlines say over 20 flight routes and about $800 million in tourism-related economic benefits are at risk if the partnership ends.
The partnership won’t officially end until October, giving the airlines some time to fight the decision. Aeromexico said they are reviewing the situation and will respond together with Delta soon.
