Background on Key Figures and Relevance
Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico City, is at the forefront of discussions regarding air travel agreements between Mexico and the United States. The dispute centers around the suspension of authorization for 13 routes from Mexico City’s International Airport (AICM) and the newly opened Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), along with a ban on combined passenger and cargo services from AICM. These actions have affected major Mexican airlines such as Aeromexico, Volaris, and Viva, which offer cargo services in collaboration with passenger flights.
Key international cargo operators, including UPS, Atlas Air, and FedEx from the US, as well as DHL, have also been involved in AIFA operations. Understanding their perspectives is crucial for resolving the ongoing disagreement.
Mexico’s Strategy and Upcoming Meetings
President Sheinbaum aims to arrange a meeting with the US Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation, as well as the US Transportation Secretary. She plans to present Mexico’s arguments in a formal letter. Additionally, she will meet with domestic cargo companies operating at AIFA to gather their opinions on the airport’s operations.
Some of the Mexican cargo companies affected by this decision include TM Aerolíneas (Awesome Cargo), Avianca Cargo (formerly Aerounión), Mas Air (Más De Carga), Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva. It is unclear if representatives from US and other nationality cargo airlines, such as DHL, will attend the meeting.
The primary objective of these meetings is to understand if cargo companies are satisfied with AIFA operations, identify any concerns or issues they may have, and directly address any problems related to cargo services at AIFA.
Cargo Dispute Context and Progress
The United States claims that Mexico violated the 2015 air agreement by unilaterally limiting US airline traffic (due to slot withdrawals) and imposing restrictions on dedicated air cargo services to any location in Mexico.
In response to the US’s concerns about reduced passenger operations at AICM (one of the reasons for sanctions affecting their businesses), Mexican airlines have provided technical details to address the issue. They shared information on cargo volumes handled by both Mexican and US airlines, acknowledging publicly available data from various sources.
Mexican authorities have committed to reassigning slots following a July 2023 request. This commitment has been recognized by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and United Airlines, which informed affected airlines—Aeroméxico, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and IATA—that the removed slots at AICM due to operational reductions in 2022 will be restored.
However, these slots may not be utilized until summer 2026 due to planning constraints, and all parties are aware of this timeline.
Passenger Sector Advancements
President Sheinbaum recently met with representatives from Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva to discuss the US’s grievances over reduced passenger operations at AICM. The airlines provided technical details to counter the US claims, offering insights into cargo and passenger volumes.
United Airlines has launched its winter promotional campaign, “Es momento de esquiar,” to promote direct flights from various locations, including AICM, to Denver. Meanwhile, Viva had planned to introduce a route from AIFA to Denver this month, but the sanction has temporarily halted these plans.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue between Mexico and the US regarding air travel? The dispute centers around the suspension of authorization for 13 routes from Mexico City’s International Airport (AICM) and the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), along with a ban on combined passenger and cargo services from AICM.
- Who are the key players involved in these discussions? President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico City, the US Transportation Department, and major Mexican airlines like Aeromexico, Volaris, and Viva are central to these negotiations. International cargo operators such as UPS, Atlas Air, FedEx, and DHL are also involved.
- What progress has been made in resolving the dispute? Mexican airlines have provided technical details to address US concerns over reduced passenger operations. Mexican authorities have committed to reassigning slots, and the US DOT and United Airlines acknowledge this commitment. However, restored slots may not be utilized until summer 2026.
- How have airlines responded to the dispute? Mexican airlines have offered technical details and cargo volume information to counter US claims. United Airlines has launched a winter campaign promoting flights to Denver, while Viva’s planned AIFA-Denver route remains on hold due to sanctions.
