The United States has taken action against Mexican air carriers by revoking approval for 13 routes and suspending all combined passenger and cargo flights from Mexico City’s new Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU). This decision comes as a result of a dispute over air transport rights between the two countries.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that Mexico has been illegally canceling and freezing flights operated by US carriers for the past three years without any consequences. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has now issued an order blocking current and planned flights by Aeromexico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus, while also freezing any further growth of Mexican carriers’ combined passenger and cargo services between the United States and Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX).
In addition, Mexican passenger airlines will also be prohibited from carrying cargo between Juarez and US destinations, effective within the next three months. This decision comes after repeated violations by Mexican authorities of the bilateral air services agreement between the two countries, dating back to 2022.
Transportation Secretary Duffy emphasized that until Mexico complies with their commitments and stops playing games, the US will continue to hold them accountable. He stated that no country should be allowed to take advantage of American carriers, the market, and flyers without facing repercussions.
The DOT has accused Mexico of giving preferential treatment to domestic airlines at Mexico City’s congested airports and restricting foreign access. As a result, the revoked routes include Aeromexico’s service between Mexico City Juarez and San Juan, Volaris’ service between Juarez and Newark, and Viva Aerobus’ proposed flights from Felipe Angeles to Austin, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando. Additionally, Aeromexico’s routes from Felipe Angeles to Houston and McAllen, Texas, will also be affected.
The DOT has warned that Mexico’s continued non-compliance may impact travel plans for American citizens and advises passengers to contact their carriers for rebooking or refund options.
This move marks a significant escalation in Washington’s efforts to enforce competition rules in cross-border aviation. In September 2025, the DOT ordered Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico to dissolve their joint venture, which allowed the two carriers to coordinate schedules and fares on US-Mexico routes. The DOT stated that this partnership created ongoing anticompetitive effects and gave the airlines an unfair advantage in key markets such as Mexico City. The carriers are currently challenging this order in US federal court.
This recent action by Transportation Secretary Duffy reflects a broader push to tighten oversight of international aviation agreements. He has also warned European governments against imposing unilateral restrictions on transatlantic travel, citing the need to uphold global air service accords.
According to aviation data firm Cirium, Mexico-US routes account for nearly 10% of all North American international air traffic.