Background on Key Players and Context
On September 15, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) ordered the termination of the Delta-Aeroméxico alliance, which had been in effect since 2017. The following day, the DOT revoked approval for 13 planned routes — 11 from AIFA and two from AICM — that Mexican airlines intended to operate towards the US. These measures are a direct response to a decision made by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in February 2023, who banned cargo flights at AICM and canceled slots for US airlines to “reduce congestion and improve operational safety,” though the actual intent was to force them to use AIFA.
The US deemed this measure a violation of the 2015 Bilateral Air Agreement and market distortion, while in Mexico it was presented as an “airports management action.” This difference reflects opposing views on the role of the state in the economy: Washington sees political intervention in air operations as unfair practices, whereas López Obrador viewed it as strengthening one of his emblematic projects at the expense of others.
Impact on Mexico’s Tourism Industry
The sanctions come at a time when Mexico’s tourism is thriving. According to travelandtourworld.com, between January and August, the country welcomed 63.7 million international visitors, a 13.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024. However, total revenue stood at $23,934 million, a mere 6.5% increase from the previous year. This indicates that while Mexico attracts more tourists, they spend less on average, putting the country’s growth potential at risk.
Seven out of ten foreign tourists come from the US, and nearly two come from Canada. If sanctions persist or expand, it will limit the tourism industry’s growth capacity by 2026.
Mexico’s Stance and Potential Consequences
The Mexican government, however, does not accept the DOT’s arguments. President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly defended López Obrador’s decisions, asserting that the cargo ban at AICM was due to safety concerns and not political or commercial motivations. Washington deems this explanation insufficient, keeping the conflict open and threatening to escalate if Mexico does not reverse the restrictions imposed during the previous administration.
The issue extends beyond aviation. If the dispute continues, Mexico may face additional reviews in competition, technical certifications, and health inspections affecting other sectors of bilateral trade. For Trump, each punitive measure reinforces his “America First” discourse; for Mexico, it means negotiating from a weakened position just as the country boasts economic stability and tourism records.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue between the US and Mexico? The disagreement revolves around political intervention in air operations, with the US viewing it as unfair practices and Mexico seeing it as strengthening one of its emblematic projects.
- How does this affect Mexico’s tourism industry? The sanctions threaten the growth potential of Mexico’s tourism industry, as more tourists visit but spend less on average.
- What are the potential consequences for Mexico if the dispute continues? Mexico may face additional reviews in various sectors of bilateral trade, impacting its negotiating position and economic stability.
