U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced the cancellation of 13 routes operated by Mexican carriers into the United States. This decision affects services between the U.S. and Felipe Angeles International Airport, with further restrictions on growth at Benito Juarez International Airport. The move comes as a response to Mexico's alleged non-compliance with a bilateral aviation agreement.
Duffy said that Mexico has been cancelling and freezing U.S. carrier flights for three years without facing consequences, while Mexican carriers have expanded their routes to the U.S. "Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg were too weak to stand up to Mexico when they walked all over our bilateral aviation agreement," said Duffy. "These deals are binding, and like our trade agreements, President Trump is going to put America First and enforce them."
The Department of Transportation warns that this action may affect travel plans for American citizens, advising passengers to contact their carriers for re-accommodation details.
Additionally, Duffy proposes prohibiting Mexican passenger airlines from transporting belly cargo between MEX and the United States, which would take effect 108 business days after finalization.
The flights affected include Aeromexico services between MEX and San Juan, Volaris services between MEX and Newark, Viva Aerobus’s proposed services from NLU to several U.S. cities including Austin and Los Angeles, as well as Aeromexico’s current services between NLU and Houston and McAllen.
Mexico was previously notified in July about its alleged disregard for the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement. Since 2022, Mexico has reportedly not complied with the agreement after rescinding slots for U.S. passenger carriers under claims of temporary measures due to construction at Benito Juarez International Airport.
The U.S. Department of Transportation continues monitoring other countries' adherence to air transport agreements, ensuring fair competition in aviation markets.
For more information on related initiatives by the Department of Transportation, such as funding awards for shipyards (https://www.maritime.dot.gov/newsroom/maritime-administration-awards-nearly-20-million-funding-strengthen-us-shipyard-economic) or inclusive design challenges (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/anniversary-ada-usdot-announces-winners-its-first-ever-inclusive-design-challenge), visit their official website.
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