U.S. Imposes Flight Curbs on Mexico Amid Aviation Dispute

The Trump administration has introduced new restrictions on flights from Mexico to the United States, citing violations of bilateral aviation agreements and unfair treatment of U.S. airlines. The move, announced on July 19, 2025, by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, escalates tensions over recent aviation policies implemented by the Mexican government.

Effective October 2025, all Mexican passenger, cargo, and charter airlines will be required to submit their U.S. flight schedules for prior government approval. The restrictions will remain in place until the U.S. determines that American carriers are being treated equitably under trade agreements.

“Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg deliberately allowed Mexico to break our bilateral aviation agreement. That ends today,” Duffy said, warning other countries against exploiting U.S. aviation markets.

The policy shift comes in response to Mexico’s controversial decision to shift flights from the centrally located Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) in Mexico City to the more distant Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU). U.S. officials argue this relocation disproportionately favors Mexican airlines and breaches long-standing aviation accords.

In addition to flight restrictions, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a preliminary order targeting the joint venture between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico. The partnership, established in 2016, allows coordinated scheduling and revenue sharing between the two airlines on U.S.-Mexico routes. The DOT criticized Mexico’s slot allocation system, describing it as opaque and inconsistent, thereby undermining fair market access.

“The lack of a coherent slot allocation regime and the prospect of arbitrary action raise serious concerns about long-term competitiveness,” the DOT stated, adding that these issues negatively affect both passengers and air cargo operators.

Delta Air Lines strongly objected to the U.S. government’s move, calling it “unprecedented” and warning of its potential impact on consumers and businesses. The airline defended its joint venture with Aeromexico, highlighting its role in launching 15 cross-border routes and enhancing economic ties between the two nations.

“Mexico is our country’s second-largest trading partner, and the Delta/Aeromexico Joint Cooperation Agreement has played a vital role in connecting communities and businesses in both countries,” Delta said in a statement. The airline pledged to protect consumers and preserve access in the U.S.-Mexico aviation market.

As of now, neither the Mexican government nor Aeromexico has responded to the new order. The developments mark a sharp turn in U.S.-Mexico aviation relations and could have broader implications for international air travel, trade, and regulatory cooperation between the two countries.

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