The US has canceled 13 Mexican airline routes and frozen extensions of recent service from Mexico Metropolis Benito Juarez Worldwide Airport (MEX), escalating tensions over aviation rights between the 2 nations. The transfer was introduced on Tuesday by the Minister of Transport Sean P. Duffystops all passenger flights between the US and Felipe Angeles Worldwide Airport (NLU) and responds to what U.S. officers name Mexico’s “ongoing abuses.” 2015 US-Mexico Air Transport Settlement.
Routes affected embody from Aeroméxico NLU-Houston and NLU-McAllen flights, From Volaris MEX-Newark service, and Viva Aerobus deliberate NLU routes to main US locations corresponding to Los Angeles, Miami and New York. The Division of Transportation has additionally proposed banning Mexican carriers from transport stomach load between Mexico Metropolis and the US, which might come into impact in roughly 108 enterprise days.
Secretary Duffy mentioned Mexico has not fulfilled the settlement since 2022, when it withdrew airport slots from U.S. airways and compelled all freight carriers to maneuver out of MEX. “These offers are binding, and like our commerce agreements, President Trump will put America first and implement them,” Duffy mentioned.
Potential influence on Mexican tourism
The cancellations can have main penalties The Mexican tourism sectorone of many nation’s most vital financial engines. With fewer flight choices between main U.S. and Mexican cities, journey capability might turn out to be tighter, probably rising ticket costs and lowering accessibility for U.S. vacationers. The U.S. stays Mexico’s largest supply of worldwide guests, and air connections have been important to tourism’s post-pandemic restoration.
Business analysts warn that diminished competitors and diminished route availability might influence common locations served by Mexico Metropolis’s hubs corresponding to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos. Mexican airways might additionally endure monetary losses if restrictions stay, particularly throughout the upcoming winter season.
Vacationers affected by the cancellations are suggested to contact their airline for rebookings or different flight choices.