Tensions between the US and Mexico have now escalated to the skies, with the U.S. authorities making an sudden choice that impacts lots of of flights between the 2 international locations, leaving airways, passengers, and cargo operations going through vital challenges that would affect the futures of complete economies.
The U.S. Division of Transportation (DOT) issued a brand new order on October 28, canceling all flights between the U.S. and Mexico Metropolis’s Felipe Ángeles Worldwide Airport (NLU), eliminating 13 present and deliberate routes operated by some Mexican carriers.
As well as, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy is submitting a proposal to ban Mexican passenger airways from transporting cargo between Mexico and the US. If accredited, the restrictions would take impact 108 enterprise days after finalization.
The transfer is available in response to Mexico’s 2022 choice to cancel some slots held by U.S. airways, forcing them to relocate operations, which the Trump administration argues violates the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Settlement and fosters anti-competitive conduct.
“Until Mexico stops the games and honors its commitments, we will continue to hold them accountable. No country should be able to take advantage of our carriers, our market, and our flyers without repercussions,” stated Duffy.
The DOT cancels all flights between the U.S. and Mexico Metropolis’s Felipe Ángeles Worldwide Airport (NLU), eliminating 13 present and deliberate routes.
Shutterstock
13 routes canceled by the U.S. authorities, affecting Mexican airways
Airline
Aeroméxico
Volaris
Viva Aerobus
From
Felipe Ángeles Worldwide
Mexico Metropolis Worldwide
Felipe Ángeles Worldwide Airport to
To
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Houston, Texas
McAllen, Texas
Newark, New Jersey
Austin, Dallas & Houston, Texas
Denver, Colorado
New York Metropolis, New York
Chicago, Illinois
Los Angeles, California
Miami & Orlando, Florida
Supply:TheTravel.com
Mexico responds to U.S. airline restrictions
In a press convention on October 29, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her disagreement with the U.S. choice, revealing plans to satisfy with the affected airways to debate the difficulty.
Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT) acknowledged it will seek the advice of on the matter to make sure choices profit passengers and help sustainable airline progress.
Volaris posted a press release on X on October 28, noting that the airline is coordinating with SICT and different stakeholders to mitigate the results on customers. The corporate confirmed the choice would have minimal affect on its cargo operations as a consequence of restricted involvement.
Just a few hours later, it put up one other submit stating that none of its present routes had been affected and that ticket gross sales and all routes would proceed working as traditional.
That very same day, Viva Aerobus issued a press release saying it was evaluating the affect this choice would have on its operations and clarified that each one present flights stay unaffected, making certain ticket gross sales and present routes proceed as deliberate.
As of October 30, flights on Aeroméxico’s and Volaris’ web sites present no out there bookings for the affected cities starting November 7. Viva Aerobus nonetheless permits purchases for these dates and places.
Duffy additional criticized the earlier U.S. administration, stating, “Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg deliberately allowed Mexico to break our bilateral aviation agreement. That ends today. Let these actions serve as a warning to any country who thinks it can take advantage of the U.S., our carriers, and our market. America First means fighting for the fundamental principle of fairness.”
Affect of the U.S. route revocations and NLU flight cancellations
Airways
- Three main low-cost Mexican carriers lose entry to key U.S. routes, chopping income and progress plans.
- Airways should reassign plane and routes, affecting cargo operations.
- U.S. carriers face lowered competitors on Mexico routes.
- Potential regulatory tensions or reciprocal measures from Mexico.
Clients
- Fewer direct flights and better fares as a consequence of lowered competitors.
- Disrupted journey plans with restricted choices from NLU to U.S. cities.
- Decreased air cargo capability, elevating delivery prices and slowing deliveries.
Financial system
- Tourism and enterprise journey decline in each international locations.
- Commerce and provide chains face delays and better prices.
- Native economies round affected airports expertise misplaced jobs and income.
- Elevated uncertainty in U.S.-Mexico aviation and commerce relations.
Supply:Journey and Tour World.
Mexico’s Felipe Ángeles Worldwide Airport: controversial historical past
Mexico Metropolis has two airports, Benito Juárez Worldwide Airport (MEX), its principal hub since 1931, and Felipe Ángeles Worldwide Airport (NLU), which opened in 2022.
The creation of NLU got here after a long time of congestion points at MEX. A earlier undertaking in Texcoco, initiated below former President Enrique Peña Nieto in 2016, was halted by then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) in 2018.
AMLO used the Mexican authorities’s cash to pay for the airport in full, destroyed the remaining development, and ordered a business airport to be constructed subsequent to Santa Lucia’s Air Pressure Base.
Extra flight cancellations:
- American Airways launching second direct flight to sudden UK metropolis
- Frontier Airways completely cancels all flights to main airport
The brand new airport confronted instant challenges, failing to satisfy necessities as a consequence of its location being a virtually two-hour drive from downtown Mexico, and its flight paths conflicted with these of MEX.
In 2021, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded each airports from Class 1 to Class 2, proscribing their progress. The standing was restored in 2023, however the airport’s historical past stays controversial.
Associated: One other low-cost airline is planning to supply blocked-off center seats
