The National Chamber of Air Transport (Canaero) called for dialogue between Mexican and US authorities to reach a solution, following the cancellation of 13 scheduled routes to the United States from the Mexico City International Airport (AICM)  and  Felipe Ángeles Airport (AIFA)  by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) .

The organization noted that this decision impacts the operations of Mexican passenger and cargo airlines , and indicated that the Mexican aviation sector recognizes the importance of maintaining a bilateral relationship based on cooperation , certainty, and mutual benefit .

In response, he asked the Mexican government and its US counterparts to “strengthen the channels of dialogue that allow for solutions to be reached that restore the conditions of competition and connectivity between both countries as soon as possible.”

“The chamber reiterated its willingness to work in a coordinated manner with the various actors in the sector, in order to identify alternatives that mitigate the impact on passengers, companies and logistics chains, and that contribute to the continuity of air services for the benefit of trade, tourism and regional economic integration,” Canaero highlighted in a statement.

The organization expressed confidence that open and constructive dialogue will allow progress towards a framework of cooperation that preserves Mexico’s interests , strengthens the sustainable development of the national aviation sector, and safeguards the interests of passengers.

Meanwhile, Víctor Manuel Pérez Díaz, president of the Communications and Transportation Commission of the Chamber of Deputies , expressed his concern about the decision by the United States government to block 13 Mexican air routes, which he considered directly affects Mexico’s connectivity, economy, and international reputation .

“This decision has not only diplomatic implications, but also significant economic and labor implications: it is estimated that more than 15,000 direct and indirect jobs linked to the aeronautical industry —pilots, flight attendants, technicians, airport personnel, travel agencies and suppliers linked to AIFA— could be affected by the reduction in operations,” he explained.

The measure, he noted, could jeopardize foreign and domestic investment , especially in maintenance, infrastructure and air services, severely impacting the sector’s competitiveness.

“This creates uncertainty for international investment and confidence in the Mexican aeronautical sector, affecting an industry that represents around 2% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs more than 200,000 people throughout the country,” the federal legislator noted.

In that regard, he demanded an urgent and transparent explanation from the federal government regarding the circumstances that led to this sanction and the actions that will be taken to prevent further damage to Mexican commercial aviation.

It’s worth noting that the day before, the DOT announced the cancellation of 13 scheduled routes from Mexico to the United States operated by Mexican airlines from AIFA and AICM. According to the DOT, the measure was taken due to Mexico’s failure to comply with the Air Transport Agreement signed in 2015 .

In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected the measure, calling it “unfounded” and suggesting it might be motivated by “political or business interests . “

In her morning press conference this Wednesday, Sheinbaum said that she instructed Juan Ramón de la Fuente, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) , to request a meeting with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the head of the DOT, Sean Duffy, to review the decision and demand formal explanations .

The Mexican president clarified that the decision to move cargo to AIFA was a sovereign one and related to civil protection, since AICM was at capacity , which put passengers at risk. “All the companies, including the American ones, are very happy with AIFA,” she emphasized.

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Since he was a child, Cuitláhuac Gutiérrez grew up watching airplanes take off as if they were promises. On each flight, he saw the echoes of his father’s work at Aeroméxico and the beginning of a story that, although fraught with turbulence, would lead him to pilot one of the most important organizations in the Mexican aviation industry: the National Chamber of Air Transport (Canaero) . “I grew up with Aeroméxico and the industry,” he recalls with a mix of nostalgia and determination. “I studied Aviation Electronics and Communications as my first professional degree, and at that time, Aerovías de México was the breeding ground for training technicians and professionals.”

His destiny seemed clear, but the path became complicated. He failed to secure a position as a technician, and, between disappointment and curiosity, he changed course to International Relations. “In my disappointment with the airline industry, I said: now I’ll become a diplomat,” he confesses. But fate insisted on keeping him in the air: upon completing his studies, Mexicana de Aviación opened its doors to him in the Market Research department in 1998. It was the beginning of a journey that would transform his life.

For 12 years, Mexicana was his school and platform. There he learned the complexity of a sector that combines engineering, economics, diplomacy, and strategy. In 2010, he returned to the place where it all began: Aeroméxico. “ I left Mexicana without knowing what was going to happen and came to Aeroméxico because it’s where my father had worked . I had to redefine the alliance strategy, which at the time was Delta limited to a codeshare,” he says. His work helped lay the foundation for a relationship that years later would give rise to a historic cross-border alliance.

Aviation, like life, doesn’t fly in a straight line. A downgrade in air safety by the United States put the country in jeopardy, but also opened a new opportunity for him: the vice presidency of Operations at SkyTeam , a global airline alliance comprising Aeroméxico, Delta, Air France , and Korean Air . ” We accepted the challenge and my family and I left . I was in charge of network development, generating greater connectivity, more codeshares, and seeking out new products,” he recalls. His time at SkyTeam consolidated his global vision and his skill at negotiating in the skies of air diplomacy.

In 2016, his career took him to a different, but equally strategic, arena: representing the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Mexico . “It was a challenging job, a school where you learn everything: commercial, operational, safety, environmental, and infrastructure issues,” he says. From that position, he experienced the cancellation of the Texcoco airport, the change of government, and the political storm that engulfed aviation. “We were there at the moment when aviation was at the center of the storm,” he says with a mixture of caution and pride.

And just when it seemed the skies couldn’t get any more uncertain, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. At IATA, and in close coordination with Canaero, Gutiérrez was one of the voices pushing to keep the country’s air borders open, a decision that allowed the country to regain connectivity faster than other nations. “At IATA, we sat down to figure out how to help. In the end, I took over the operation of the chamber without employees, and the position of general director of Canaero and IATA Country Manager. In the face of all the airlines,” he recalls.

Those months marked a turning point. He oversaw the redesign of the airspace, the industry’s adaptation to the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), and collaborated with the Ministry of National Defense (Defensa) on the operational planning of the airport system. “We adapted the industry to its new reality,” he says .

In 2022, he returned once again to Aeroméxico, this time as Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs. “If I’m coming back, it means I’ve done something right,” he says calmly. His third stint at the airline confirmed his place in an industry where permanence depends as much on technique as on poise.

At the beginning of 2025, Cuitláhuac Gutiérrez took over as Canaero’s leader with a clear mission: to rebuild the sector’s representativeness and prepare the industry for its upcoming expansion. “It was time to push Canaero further,” he says. Under his leadership, Viva Aerobus , TAR , and Aerus returned , and only Volaris remains to complete the fleet. “We hope Volaris will be back soon and we can finally include all the national airlines,” he emphasized.

His vision goes beyond the short term. He speaks of a solid dialogue with the government, infrastructure that responds to future demand, and an efficient transportation system that connects AIFA, Mexico City International Airport (AICM), and regional airports. He also speaks of digitalization, sustainability, and competitiveness . “A competitive position combining adequate infrastructure for current and future demand, with competitive current costs and charges, will lay the foundation for the airline industry and address growth,” he concludes.

For him, flying isn’t just a metaphor for success: it’s a way of life. Because every career climb, every turbulence overcome, and every controlled landing confirm that his destiny was always in the skies.

According to data from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) , 82,370,855 passengers were transported between January and August 2025, representing a 2.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

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Given the global uncertainty caused by the implementation of tariffs on imports by the United States, the National Chamber of Air Transport (Canaero) in Mexico remains vigilant regarding this issue to “be prepared and react.”

Cuitláhuac Gutiérrez, who recently assumed the presidency of this organization, said that the market is feeling the effects of these actions, reflecting a certain impact on passenger transportation in Mexico and around the world.

“The United States is a very important market for Mexican aviation, and we are following up with the relevant authorities, closely monitoring the Ministry of Economy, to see what the outcome of the discussions at the government level is and to be prepared for any issue we may have to address,” he stated at a press conference.

He specified that each airline, both domestic and foreign, is closely monitoring the situation and working with their commercial strategies to make the necessary adjustments, depending on the progress of the negotiations with the United States.

According to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) , passenger traffic between Mexico and the United States decreased by 0.3% in the first two months of this year, compared to the same period in 2024.

While Mexico and Canada saw a 22.5% increase, from 1,361,064 travelers to 1,667,083 during the comparison period.

Cuitláhuac Gutiérrez commented that they don’t have any figures yet on the potential impact on the industry due to the implementation of tariffs. “We have to see what’s happening at the close. January and February are traditionally slow months for this industry, so it ‘s also difficult to calculate the impact, but as a chamber and government, we will closely monitor market developments and see what happens in the bilateral relationship.”

Work plan

Regarding his work plan for the 2025-2026 period, he specified that it focuses on five strategic pillars: infrastructure, security, sustainability, regulation, and government-industry. These include topics such as training, availability of personnel such as air traffic controllers, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and “fluid communication, with a very clear focus on the authorities; communication, focus, and cooperation.”

The new Council and Board of Directors that will represent the organization in the 2025-2026 period were formed as follows:

• President: Cuitláhuac Gutiérrez of Aeroméxico Group .
• First Vice President: Yuri Salinas of Grupo Viva Aerobús .
• Second Vice President: Diana Olivares of LATAM Airlines Mexico .
• Third Vice President: Héctor González of Grupo Lomex .
• Fourth Vice President: Danilo Correa of ​​AeroUnión .
• Secretary: Luis Noriega of Air Canada .
• Treasurer: Rafael Silva de Estafeta .

Likewise, he announced that Viva Aerobus will once again join the ranks of Canaero, and TAR Aerolíneas and Aires will join.

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