U.S. Threatens to Block Flights from Mexico Over Aviation Agreement Breach

• U.S. threatens Mexican flights
• Breach of aviation agreement
• Bilateral tensions rise over air travel

According to CNN, the U.S. government has warned it may reject flights from Mexico if the country fails to honor a 2015 bilateral aviation agreement.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a statement on Saturday accusing Mexico of violating the agreement since 2022.

Washington claims the Mexican government unjustifiably eliminated “slots” — time windows for airline operations.

It also says that in 2023, Mexico forced cargo flights to relocate from Mexico City International Airport (AICM).

Mexico Justifies Cargo Flight Relocation

✈️ Washington threatens to block Mexican flights over “anticompetitive practices”

Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, said Mexico forced cargo airlines out of AICM and restricted flight slots since 2022.

The Trump administration now warns that… pic.twitter.com/itW4h8dR87

— Azucena Uresti (@azucenau) July 19, 2025

Mexico justified the February 2023 cargo flight relocation by citing congestion at AICM’s terminals 1 and 2.

The decision was formalized through a government decree published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación.

However, Washington argues that Mexico has failed to take meaningful action to ease airport congestion.

As a result, U.S. airlines have allegedly incurred millions in additional costs, according to American officials.

Direct Threat to Flights from Mexico

🚨 Accusations of manipulation!
The U.S. will sanction Mexico over “anticompetitive practices” after it allegedly benefited AIFA by forcing airlines to land there instead of at AICM✈️ pic.twitter.com/TxIXKqHhVr

— adn40 (@adn40) July 19, 2025

“The country has broken its promise, disrupted the market, and left our companies burdened with extra costs,” said the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In response, U.S. authorities have threatened to reject new flight applications from Mexico.

The sanctions could impact not only cargo flights, but also commercial and charter services if Mexico does not make changes.

CNN reached out to Mexico’s Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT), which has not yet responded.

U.S. Announces Three Immediate Measures

The tension is part of a broader “America First” policy aimed at aggressively defending U.S. interests.

As part of this strategy, the Department of Transportation announced three immediate measures targeting Mexican operators:

Mexican airlines must submit detailed operational schedules for U.S. territory.

All large-scale charter flights from Mexico — cargo and passenger — must now seek prior authorization.

Delta and Aeroméxico Partnership at Risk

The most symbolic move: a proposal to end the Delta–Aeroméxico partnership.

The Delta–Aeroméxico alliance has enabled coordinated operations, joint routes, and revenue sharing for years.

Terminating the partnership could disrupt the cross-border business model that the two airlines have carefully built.

This announcement comes amid rising economic tensions between the two countries.

Aviation Tensions Add to Trade Disputes

Earlier in July, the U.S. announced 30% tariffs on key Mexican exports.

These include agricultural and manufactured goods, with tomatoes among the hardest hit.

A major blow to thousands of Mexican producers.

The measures have been criticized by Mexican business leaders and officials, who fear a full-blown trade escalation.

Mexico Faces Internal Airport Challenges

Mexico is under domestic pressure to manage air traffic in its overcrowded capital.

The forced move of Mexico cargo flight operations to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) hasn’t fully absorbed demand.

Several companies have reported rising logistical costs and operational hurdles since the change.

The Mexican government maintains that its decisions were necessary to relieve infrastructure bottlenecks at AICM.