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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, imposed new restrictions on flights from Mexico and threatened to cancel the strategic alliance between Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico, in response to the policies of the Mexican government that limit international flight operations at the Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City.
According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, stated that the forced relocation of airlines to the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport, located more than 48 kilometers from the city center, constitutes a violation of the bilateral aviation agreement between the two countries and grants unfair advantages to Mexican airlines.
"Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg deliberately allowed Mexico to break our bilateral aviation agreement," Duffy said, referring to the previous administration.
"That ends today. Let these actions serve as a warning to any country that thinks it can take advantage of the United States, our airlines, and our market. America First means fighting for the fundamental principle of fairness," he emphasized.
As part of the measures, all Mexican airlines—commercial, cargo, and charter flights—must submit their schedules for review and obtain approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation until authorities are satisfied with the treatment that Mexico provides to U.S. airlines.
The alliance between Delta and Aeroméxico, in place since 2016, has been under review by the government since last year.
Both companies argue that terminating the agreement would harm consumers, impact more than twenty routes, and put nearly 800 million dollars in bilateral economic benefits at risk.
"The proposal from the Department of Transportation to end this strategic and pro-competitive alliance would cause significant harm to travelers, jobs, and communities in both the United States and Mexico," Delta stated in a release cited by AP.
Aeroméxico has stated that it is assessing the order and will present a joint response with Delta in the coming days.
The cancellation of the agreement, however, would not take effect until October.
It is estimated that the loss of direct flights could deter over 140,000 American tourists and nearly 90,000 Mexicans, with negative consequences for tourism and the economies of both countries.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flight Restrictions and Trump's Policy Towards Mexico
Why did Donald Trump impose restrictions on flights from Mexico?
President Donald Trump imposed restrictions on flights from Mexico in response to the policies of the Mexican government that limit international flight operations at the Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City, which the U.S. government considers a violation of the bilateral aviation agreement between the two countries.
How does the cancellation of the alliance between Delta and Aeroméxico affect things?
The cancellation of the alliance between Delta and Aeroméxico could impact over twenty routes and jeopardize nearly 800 million dollars in bilateral economic benefits, in addition to harming consumers and tourism between both countries.
What impact do the restrictions have on the tourism sector in the U.S.?
The restrictions imposed by Trump have caused a decline in travel demand and a severe blow to the tourism sector in the U.S., affecting both airlines and hotel chains, which have seen a significant drop in the value of their stocks and in the demand for their services.
What measures has Mexico taken in response to Trump's actions?
Mexico has chosen to remain open to dialogue, although it has announced that it will take both tariff and non-tariff measures in response to Trump's decisions, particularly regarding the tariffs imposed on its products.
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