The United States has lifted restrictions on Mexican airlines following a resolution of the bilateral dispute over airport access and air transport operations. The US Department of Transportation announced the immediate revocation of measures that were put in place last year due to alleged violations of the 2015 bilateral air transport agreement between the two countries.
The restrictions had led to the cancellation of 13 routes and imposed limits on operations involving Mexico’s Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA). The conflict arose after Mexico altered airport slot allocations for US airlines and mandated cargo operators to move from Mexico City International Airport to AIFA. The US argued that these changes breached the bilateral agreement and increased operational costs for American companies.
Negotiations between the two nations intensified in the past few months, culminating in a May agreement where Mexico pledged to ensure fair access for US airlines to operating slots at Mexico City International Airport. This agreement was a key factor in the decision to lift the restrictions.
Mexican authorities have welcomed the US decision, seeing it as an important development for enhancing air connectivity and potentially expanding flight routes and frequencies between the two nations. The lifting of these restrictions opens new opportunities for airlines to develop services from both Mexico City International Airport and AIFA to the US market.