After the United States government announced yesterday the cancellation of 13 routes by Mexican airlines to that country from the  Mexico City International Airport (AICM)  and  Felipe Ángeles Airport (AIFA) , the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, rejected the decision of the northern neighbor and described the measure as “unfounded” .

In her morning press conference this Wednesday, Sheinbaum said that she instructed Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente to request an urgent meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the head of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) , Sean Duffy, to review the decision and demand formal explanations .

Sheinbaum defended the transfer of cargo operations from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) as a sovereign decision, based on security and civil protection criteria due to AICM’s saturation. She asserted that cargo companies, including those from the United States, are satisfied operating from AIFA .

He also requested that the National Antitrust Commission (CNA) conduct a technical analysis to determine whether the DOT provisions are intended to benefit other airlines .

Reactions from the airline industry

The DOT order has generated concern among Mexican airlines and industry unions. Viva Aerobus reported that it is evaluating the impact of the measure on its operations from AIFA (Felipe Ángeles International Airport), whose routes beginning in November will be affected , including Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando, Austin, and Dallas, among others. However, the airline clarified that flights from other airports and AICM (Mexico City International Airport) to the United States will not be affected. The airline is confident that dialogue between authorities will lead to a solution .

Volaris, for its part, considered that the cargo regulations would have a “marginal effect” on its operations. However, it confirmed that the order prevents the approval of its new route between Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and Newark, New Jersey, scheduled to begin on November 2. The airline is in contact with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) to explore alternatives.  Aeroméxico has not yet issued a statement on the matter.

For its part, the Mexican Air Pilots Association (ASPA) expressed its “deep concern” about the implications of the order , which includes a proposal to prohibit cargo transport on combined flights from Mexico City International Airport (AICM). The organization warned that these provisions could affect air connectivity, the competitiveness of the national aviation sector, and thousands of jobs .

While the Mexican College of Airline Pilots (CPAM) expressed its concern regarding the measures, noting that they severely affect connectivity between the two countries, and that the revocation of routes from AIFA and AICM impacts major Mexican airlines, putting thousands of jobs at risk . The organization urged the Mexican government to reconsider the decree that expelled air cargo from AICM and proposed establishing a technical working group with all stakeholders in the sector to “restore the confidence of our trading partners.”

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that next Friday she will meet with representatives from Aeromexico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus to learn their positions and move towards a solution through dialogue and understanding.

It’s worth recalling that on October 28, 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 .

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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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