US Halts New Routes and Cargo Flights by Mexican Airlines
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has rejected new route applications from Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus for flights departing from Mexico City International (MEX) and Felipe Ángeles International (NLU) airports to the United States. The move is part of Washington’s response to what it views as Mexico’s ongoing violations of the US-Mexico Air Transport Agreement.
The DOT also tentatively prohibited the transport of belly cargo on flights by Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus, Aerus, Volaris, and TAR México operating from the two airports to the US. The order affects upcoming routes that were set to launch between October and December 2025, including Aeroméxico’s planned services from Felipe Ángeles to Houston Intercontinental and McAllen, and from MEX to San Juan. Volaris had intended to begin service from MEX to Newark, while Viva Aerobus planned several routes from Felipe Ángeles to major US cities such as Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Houston, and Orlando.
The DOT stated it will not approve any new flight schedules from these carriers until further notice. The department justified its actions by citing the Mexican government’s decisions to relocate all-cargo operations from MEX to Felipe Ángeles and to restrict airport slots at MEX, moves that it says have undermined US carriers’ ability to compete fairly.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum called the decision “unjustified and unilateral,” urging bilateral talks. Viva Aerobus described the action as abrupt and harmful to thousands of travelers during the busy holiday period.
The DOT said it may revisit its decision once Mexico reinstates fair access for US all-cargo carriers at Mexico City International Airport.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com