WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation has yanked approval for 13 existing or proposed routes operated by Mexican carriers, an unprecedented move that could alter travel plans for thousands of leisure and business passengers moving between Washington and other U.S. gateways and Mexico City. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued the order earlier this week, contending that Mexico has “illegally canceled and frozen U.S. carrier flights for three years without consequences.” The agency said the action is a direct response to what it labels ongoing violations of the 2015 U.S.–Mexico Air Transport Agreement. Although U.S. regulators have sparred with international partners before, the scale of this retaliation is striking, especially for travelers who rely on overlapping services by U.S. and Mexican carriers to reach the Mexican capital or connect onward to colonial cities, beach resorts and industrial hubs.
What changed: 13 Mexico airline routes lose U.S. approval
The new order bars Mexican carriers from either launching or continuing the following services:
- Aeroméxico: Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) – San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Volaris: Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) – Newark, New Jersey
- Viva Aerobus (proposed) from Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) to:
- Austin
- New York
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Denver
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Orlando
- Aeroméxico: Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) – Houston
- Aeroméxico: Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) – McAllen, Texas
For passengers, the decision potentially removes nonstop options between key U.S. business centers—Houston, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles among them—and Mexico’s two main airports. Benito Juárez International remains the busiest traffic hub in the country, while Felipe Ángeles International, opened in 2022, is intended to relieve congestion closer to downtown.
Why the U.S. retaliated
The Department of Transportation (DOT) accuses Mexican aviation regulators of pulling U.S. carrier slots at Benito Juárez International during 2022 construction works, then forcing all-cargo airlines to move operations out of that field. American companies, the agency says, have absorbed “millions” in added costs. “Until Mexico stops the games and honors its commitments, we will continue to hold them accountable,” Duffy said in a prepared statement that emphasized the administration’s “America First” approach to aviation agreements. DOT officials added that Mexico has continued to add flights by local carriers even while restricting their U.S. counterparts, a pattern the United States views as anti-competitive. Earlier this summer Duffy “put Mexico on notice,” threatening to act if the imbalance persisted.
Additional squeeze on Mexican airlines: belly cargo ban looming
Beyond the immediate route revocations, DOT is proposing a separate ban that would bar Mexican passenger airlines from transporting belly cargo between Benito Juárez International and any U.S. city. If adopted, that restriction would take effect 108 business days after final publication. Freight shippers use aircraft bellies for everything from automotive parts to high-end electronics; a prohibition could therefore disrupt supply chains as well as passenger service.
How Mexico is responding
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum voiced disagreement and called for direct talks. She “is hopeful a deal can be reached,” Reuters reported, adding that Mexico’s foreign minister would seek a meeting with Duffy to resolve the dispute. No timetable for negotiations has been announced.
Impact on upcoming trips
DOT acknowledged that its move “may impact travel plans for American citizens” and advised passengers to contact their airlines for re-accommodation. Because the canceled flights are operated solely by Mexican carriers, travelers holding tickets on U.S. airlines should not see immediate changes. However, anyone connecting onto Aeroméxico, Volaris or Viva Aerobus from a U.S. gateway could face rerouting or schedule shifts. Several factors will influence how disruptive the order becomes:
- Booking window: If you bought tickets far in advance, your carrier has more time to provide alternatives.
- Airport substitution: Some services may relocate from Benito Juárez International to Felipe Ángeles International or vice versa, complicating ground transfers within sprawling Mexico City.
- Codeshare agreements: Aeroméxico partners with Delta Air Lines, while Volaris coordinates with Frontier on certain routes. These alliances can help place affected travelers onto U.S. partner flights.
- Peak season demand: Winter holidays and spring break historically drive high load factors between the United States and Mexico.
Tips for travelers
1. Verify your booking immediately if it involves any of the 13 revoked routes. 2. Monitor your airline’s app; carriers must notify customers of schedule changes but often do so through electronic channels. 3. Consider travel insurance that covers trip interruption. Policies vary, and government-initiated cancellations may or may not be reimbursable. 4. When possible, build additional connection time if forced to switch between Mexico City’s two airports—traffic can exceed two hours during rush periods. 5. Keep receipts for out-of-pocket costs; U.S. carriers are usually not liable for expenses caused by foreign government decisions, but Mexican airlines may offer vouchers or refunds.
Background on the 2015 bilateral agreement
The U.S.–Mexico Air Transport Agreement liberalized frequencies and allowed unlimited airlines from both countries to serve any city pairs. Previously, only two carriers from each side could operate on a given route. Commercial growth flourished until 2022, when Mexico began slot reductions at Benito Juárez International citing runway construction. U.S. airlines say the promised congestion relief has not materialized three years later. Under the pact, either nation can restrict or revoke counterpart services if it believes commitments are being ignored. DOT’s latest order is the first time Washington has exercised that power on such a scale.
What happens next?
The timeline for restoring the 13 Mexico airline routes hinges on diplomatic negotiations. If the two governments reach an accord that reinstates U.S. carrier access to Benito Juárez International and ends mandatory cargo relocations, DOT could rescind its order quickly. Conversely, failure to find common ground could escalate the dispute—particularly if the proposed belly-cargo ban becomes final. For now, leisure flyers heading to Mexico for warm-weather escapes and business travelers commuting to maquiladora or tech corridors should brace for potential itinerary changes. Airlines are legally obliged to refund tickets they can no longer honor, but alternate nonstop options during peak periods may be limited, pushing some passengers into longer connection times or higher fares.
FAQ
Does this affect trips to Cancun or Los Cabos? No. The order is confined to flights touching Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International or Felipe Ángeles International.
Will U.S. airlines cut seats in retaliation? DOT has not ordered U.S. carriers to scale back. However, if Mexican regulators maintain slot caps, U.S. airlines could indirectly reduce frequencies.
What if I’m shipping cargo on a Mexican passenger airline? The belly-cargo prohibition is only proposed. If finalized, shippers will have 108 business days to adjust logistics.
Could flight prices rise? Reduced competition on affected city pairs often leads to higher fares. Check multiple booking platforms and consider secondary airports where available. With both governments signaling willingness to talk, travelers should stay tuned. A breakthrough could reinstate the 13 Mexico airline routes swiftly; a stalemate might usher in a prolonged period of limited transborder options, especially for flyers seeking nonstop service to or from Mexico City. — as Duffy said in a prepared statement.
