Background on the Situation
The Association of Mexican Pilots (ASPA) has expressed its disappointment over the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) decision to terminate the partnership between Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico, effective January 1, 2026. The syndicate’s primary concern revolves around the potential impact on Mexican pilots’ workforce.
USDOT’s Decision and Its Implications
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation, under President Donald Trump’s administration, ordered the termination of the commercial agreement between Delta and Aeroméxico. This decision has raised concerns among Mexican aviation stakeholders, including ASPA.
ASPA reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the interests of Mexican aviation, passengers, and most importantly, protecting pilots’ and other workers’ jobs. The syndicate’s stance aligns with Delta’s position, which had previously expressed regret over the decision, highlighting that it disregards the benefits the alliance has brought to connectivity, tourism, and consumers in Mexico. Delta also clarified that this move does not affect customers, as codeshare agreements between Aeroméxico and Delta remain valid.
ASPA’s Uncertainty and Concerns
In August, ASPA’s General Secretary, Jesús Ortíz Álvarez, mentioned that they had no information regarding discussions between the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Aeroméxico concerning their agreement. The lack of communication has generated uncertainty and fear among Mexican pilots, particularly regarding potential staff reductions.
Ortíz Álvarez emphasized that, despite a recent dialogue with Mexico’s Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation, there has been no official statement on the progress of meetings with the DOT. He highlighted the syndicate’s concern, stating, “Here, the word is that no news is good news, but here, no news is bad news because we haven’t received a genuine response.”
ASPA’s Main Concern: Impact on Mexican Pilots
The central issue for ASPA is the possible consequences for Mexican pilots. There are fears that dissolution or modification of the agreement may lead to dismissals, which would be particularly unfortunate for long-serving pilots. The situation worsens as foreign pilots continue flying for Aeroméxico, a scenario that ASPA claims violates the Mexican Constitution and was permitted by authorities over two years ago without a termination date.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the decision made by USDOT regarding Delta and Aeroméxico? The USDOT ordered the termination of the partnership between Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico, effective January 1, 2026.
- What are ASPA’s primary concerns? ASPA is worried about the potential impact on Mexican pilots’ jobs, including possible dismissals and the continuation of foreign pilots flying for Aeroméxico.
- How has Delta responded to the USDOT’s decision? Delta expressed regret over the decision, emphasizing that it disregards the benefits the alliance has brought to connectivity, tourism, and consumers in Mexico. They clarified that this move does not affect customers, as codeshare agreements between Aeroméxico and Delta remain valid.
- What is the current state of communication between ASPA and USDOT? There has been no official statement on the progress of meetings between ASPA and the USDOT, causing uncertainty within the syndicate.
