Background on Concanaco and its Relevance
Concanaco Servytur, led by Octavio de la Torre, represents the commercial, service, and tourism sectors in Mexico. The organization plays a crucial role in advocating for the interests of these industries, making their concerns significant when it comes to policy decisions affecting them.
Government Decision and its Consequences
The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, decided to revoke 13 air routes from Mexico to the United States. This decision stems from allegations of anti-competitive practices affecting U.S. businesses, following Mexico’s redirection of air cargo from Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM) to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA).
Impact on Mexican Sector
Octavio de la Torre, Concanaco’s president, expressed concern over the cancellation of these air routes. He highlighted that the impact won’t be limited to economic losses but will also affect foreign tourists visiting Mexico for leisure and business purposes.
Preparing for the Meeting
To assess the consequences, Concanaco plans to hold meetings with key Mexican government officials: Josefina Rodríguez from the Secretaría de Turismo and Antonio Esteva from the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes, along with aviation civil service personnel. The aim is to identify the full extent of the impact, including not just tourism but also mobility and business-related travel.
Lobbying for Support
De la Torre mentioned that Concanaco intends to collaborate with their counterparts in the U.S. to mitigate the effects of these canceled air route operations. They are currently evaluating potential actions that could lessen the impact, though they have yet to quantify it fully.
Importance of AIFA Rutas
When asked if Concanaco is advocating for the maintenance of flights to AIFA, de la Torre emphasized that commercial air routes are vital for mobility. He also pointed out the importance of strengthening specific air routes as hubs.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Concanaco? Concanaco Servytur is the confederation representing Mexico’s commercial, service, and tourism sectors.
- Why is Concanaco concerned about the canceled air routes? The concern stems from expected economic losses and a decrease in foreign tourists visiting Mexico for leisure and business.
- Who took the decision to cancel air routes? The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, made the decision based on allegations of anti-competitive practices affecting U.S. businesses.
- What is the extent of the impact on Mexico? The impact includes economic losses, reduced foreign tourism, and consequences on mobility and business-related travel.
- What actions is Concanaco taking to address the issue? Concanaco plans to meet with Mexican government officials and U.S. counterparts to evaluate and mitigate the consequences of canceled air routes.
