Mexico City to Restore Airport Slots to US Airlines
United Airlines has confirmed that Mexican officials will return slots at Mexico City International Airport to U.S. carriers after years of reductions. The airline disclosed the development in a filing to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), noting that American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United were informed of the decision during an August 18, 2025, call with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The reinstated slots include those removed during the Winter 2022/2023 and Summer 2023 seasons. However, details on the exact number of slots allocated to each carrier and the timeline for their restoration have not yet been released.
Mexico City International, one of Latin America’s busiest airports, has been operating under severe congestion. Authorities reduced hourly slot capacity from 61 to 44 in an effort to manage saturation. Additionally, cargo operators were forced to relocate to the newer Felipe Ángeles International Airport, developed under former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador after the cancellation of a planned new airport project.
The slot cuts and cargo relocation have long been a point of contention between U.S. and Mexican regulators. U.S. authorities have argued that Mexico’s actions violated the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement by unfairly limiting access to the country’s primary international gateway.
In July, the DOT announced measures in response, including plans to withdraw antitrust immunity for the Delta-Aeroméxico joint venture and increased scrutiny of Mexican carriers operating in the United States. The slot reinstatement could ease tensions while restoring lost capacity for U.S. airlines.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com