In a significant shift in U.S.-Mexico aviation relations, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has implemented a new wave of regulatory restrictions targeting Mexican airlines operating within the United States.
This move, announced in July 2025, reflects longstanding concerns regarding Mexico’s aviation policies and the implications for fair competition, operational transparency, and compliance with bilateral agreements.
Central to these new regulations is the DOT’s effort to enforce heightened oversight of Mexican carriers’ operations on U.S. soil.
All Mexican airlines are now required to submit detailed flight schedules for their U.S. operations directly to the DOT, a measure designed to bolster transparency and ensure adherence to U.S. regulatory standards.
Additionally, any charter flight involving large passenger or cargo aircraft will now necessitate prior approval from the DOT before it can depart for or arrive from the United States.
This requirement substantially limits operational flexibility for Mexican airlines and introduces an additional layer of scrutiny into their operational practices.
One of the most consequential proposals under review concerns the potential revocation of antitrust immunity currently granted to the joint venture between Delta Air Lines and AeroMexico.
This partnership enables the two companies to coordinate on pricing, scheduling, and revenue-sharing models, but is now being examined due to concerns regarding the imbalanced nature of the market.
U.S. authorities have raised alarms about interventions from the Mexican government, particularly those related to slot allocations at Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport, which they argue have distorted fair competition in the sector.
In 2022, Mexican aviation officials rescinded historic takeoff and landing slots at Benito Juárez International Airport from six airlines, including prominent U.S. carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, alongside Mexican carriers AeroMexico, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris.
This restructuring was purportedly justified on capacity grounds, although U.S. officials have voiced concerns that the process lacked transparency and violated established bilateral aviation agreements.
Despite repeated inquiries from U.S. authorities seeking resolutions regarding the restoration of these slots or the timeline for completing necessary airport constructions, there has been no forthcoming response from Mexican authorities.
Relations have further soured following a sweeping decree from the Mexican government in February 2023 mandating the relocation of all dedicated cargo operations from Mexico City International Airport to the newly opened Felipe Ángeles International Airport.
This abrupt shift has disrupted crucial U.S. cargo routes and drawn criticisms from various sectors, including the aviation industry and diplomatic communities, who argue it was executed without adequate coordination or notice.
The DOT has also highlighted ongoing concerns regarding Mexico’s persistent failure to establish a transparent, non-discriminatory slot allocation system at its airports.
This oversight, according to DOT officials, constitutes a direct breach of Article 11 of the 2015 U.S.-Mexico air transport agreement, which compels both nations to adopt fair and internationally recognized aviation practices.
As of July 2025, negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico are ongoing, yet no resolution has been achieved.
Diplomatic discussions continue in an effort to restore conventional aviation protocols and rebuild trust between the two nations.
Both parties are reportedly aiming to find a mutually agreeable path forward that respects their commitments under the 2015 agreement and upholds operational fairness for all airlines involved.
If the DOT proceeds with its proposal to revoke antitrust immunity, the collaboration between Delta and AeroMexico would end, removing their ability to coordinate on fares, schedules, and revenue-sharing strategies.
While Delta would retain its equity stake in AeroMexico, the partnership’s dissolution would result in each carrier operating independently on cross-border routes.
Such a separation could inadvertently lead to increased costs, route inefficiencies, and an overhaul of service options for travelers and shippers.
The aviation landscape between the U.S. and Mexico now finds itself in a state of uncertainty.
The DOT has indicated that further actions may be pursued based on Mexico’s aviation decisions and ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
As a result, both passengers and airlines must adapt to an evolving regulatory environment shaped by complex geopolitical and economic dynamics.
image source from：travelandtourworld
