The Us Department Of Transportation (dot) Tightens Restrictions On Mexican Airlines Amid Us-mexico Bilateral Tensions

Published on August 22, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

In a important improvement that has sent ripples done nan aviation industry, nan US Department of Transportation (DOT) has imposed new operating restrictions connected Mexican airlines flying to nan United States, a move that is expected to person far-reaching implications for some passengers and hose operations. The DOT’s decision comes arsenic portion of a broader political dispute betwixt nan United States and Mexico complete aerial carrier agreements, peculiarly successful narration to airport access and operating slots astatine cardinal Mexican airports.

These restrictions person already impacted ongoing partnerships betwixt US and Mexican carriers, including Delta and Aeromexico. In a rustle to nan 2 airlines, nan DOT withdrew its antitrust immunity support for nan Delta-Aeromexico associated business, forcing nan 2 carriers to reconsider their long-standing partnership. This decision, which was made successful July 2025, came aft nan DOT accused nan Mexican government of failing to meet nan position of nan US-Mexico aerial carrier agreement.

Why Did nan DOT Implement These Restrictions?

The DOT’s caller restrictions are a nonstop consequence to nan Mexican government’s actions, which person been seen arsenic contrary to nan US-Mexico aerial carrier agreement signed successful 2022. One of nan astir contentious points has been Mexico’s rescinding of operating slots astatine Benito Juarez International Airport, Mexico City’s busiest airport. The DOT has based on that these changes restrict nan operations of US airlines, who person mislaid entree to cardinal slots astatine nan airport, forcing immoderate carriers to run from nan recently developed Felipe Angeles International Airport, located farther distant from Mexico City’s cardinal business district.

Additionally, nan DOT has raised concerns complete nan Mexican government’s actions that person forced some US and Mexican airlines to set their operations, peculiarly connected high-demand routes betwixt nan US and Mexico. In nan eyes of nan DOT, these actions undermine nan principles of fair competition and open skies that are cardinal to nan bilateral aviation statement betwixt nan 2 countries.

How Has This Affected Airline Partnerships?

The Delta-Aeromexico partnership has been 1 of nan hardest deed by nan DOT’s decision. The 2 airlines had antecedently enjoyed nan benefits of antitrust immunity, which allowed them to coordinate pricing, schedules, and services connected routes betwixt nan United States and Mexico. However, pinch nan DOT’s withdrawal of this approval, nan airlines must now statesman unwinding their partnership, which could consequence successful nan cancellation of up to two twelve routes betwixt nan 2 countries.

Both Delta and Aeromexico person powerfully opposed nan DOT’s decision, arguing that their joint venture has led to lower fares and much convenient services for passengers. The DOT’s actions, they argue, will not only harm nan airlines but besides negatively effect consumers by reducing title and expanding costs.

Meanwhile, different airlines are seeking to capitalize connected this shift. Allegiant Air, a US low-cost carrier, and Viva Aerobus, a Mexican discount airline, are presently successful nan midst of a longstanding application for a joint business venture. These airlines person based on that their projected confederation would bring much affordable recreation options to underserved routes betwixt nan US and Mexico, peculiarly for price-sensitive travelers.

What Are nan Broader Implications for US-Mexico Aviation Relations?

The DOT’s move to restrict partnerships and enforce caller operating conditions connected Mexican airlines signals increasing tensions betwixt nan US and Mexico complete aviation policy. These tensions bespeak deeper issues successful nan bilateral relationship, including disputes complete airport slots astatine Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport and Felipe Angeles International Airport, which has affected not only US carriers but besides Mexican airlines operating successful nan US market.

The US Department of Transportation has been vocal successful its assertion that its actions are basal to guarantee fair competition successful nan aviation marketplace and protect nan interests of US consumers. However, nan Mexican government has contested these moves, arguing that they are politically motivated and an overreach by nan US authorities into nan sovereignty of Mexico’s aviation sector.

What’s Next for nan Airlines Involved?

For now, nan Delta-Aeromexico associated business faces a difficult way forward. The DOT’s determination requires that nan airlines upwind down their operations together, perchance causing disruptions to respective routes betwixt nan US and Mexico. Both airlines person revenge appeals pinch nan DOT, urging nan agency to reconsider its stance, but arsenic of now, location is nary denotation that nan determination will beryllium reversed.

On nan different hand, Allegiant and Viva Aerobus are pushing for nan DOT to o.k. their projected alliance, which they reason would use consumers by providing lower-cost options connected routes betwixt nan US and Mexico. The DOT has yet to make a determination connected this application, which has been pending since December 2021. The hold successful support has raised concerns astir nan DOT’s handling of hose partnerships pinch Mexico, particularly arsenic nan ongoing governmental conflict continues to hold progress.

How Will Passengers Be Affected?

The DOT’s actions are group to person a direct effect connected passengers walking betwixt nan United States and Mexico. If nan Delta-Aeromexico partnership is forced to dissolve, travelers whitethorn spot a simplification successful nan number of disposable flights and an summation successful fares connected celebrated routes. On nan different hand, if nan Allegiant-Viva Aerobus business is approved, passengers could use from lower-cost options connected routes that person antecedently been underserved.

Ultimately, nan DOT’s decision will play a important domiciled successful shaping nan early of US-Mexico aviation, pinch consequences for some airline operations and nan travel experience for millions of passengers.