Background on Key Players
The recent decision by the U.S. government to reject 13 routes (some in operation, others planned) departing from Mexico City’s International Airport (AICM) and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) has led to an unprecedented meeting between Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, members of her cabinet, and high-level representatives from Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva (VivaAerobus).
Key Participants
- Claudia Sheinbaum: President of Mexico City, leading the capital’s governance and addressing issues affecting its residents.
- Members of her cabinet: Government officials supporting President Sheinbaum in addressing the airline route concerns.
- Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva (VivaAerobus): Major Mexican airlines affected by the U.S. decision.
Meeting Details and Aftermath
The meeting took place on Friday, October 31, in Palacio Nacional. After nearly three hours, participants left without commenting on the discussions. No official statements have been made since then.
The Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) briefly acknowledged the situation but declined to comment further. Meanwhile, Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, had been tasked with arranging the meeting in the U.S. to convey Mexico’s stance on these decisions.
Airline Responses
While awaiting official plans from the government, airlines have been informing their customers through various channels.
- Volaris: The airline’s CEO, Enrique Beltranena, clarified that only the AICM-Newark (New Jersey) route was canceled. All other 69 routes to 22 U.S. destinations remain unaffected and available for sale.
- Viva: With the planned opening of nine routes from AIFA, Viva was the most affected. The airline issued a statement confirming normal operations from AICM and offering alternatives for passengers impacted by canceled flights.
- Aeroméxico: Also communicated its policies regarding the route cancellations.
Regional Airline’s Plea
Aerus, a regional airline included in the list of Mexican carriers affected by U.S. decisions, requested the DOT to exclude them from the list since their operations between the two countries do not originate from AICM or AIFA but from Monterrey’s airport.
Key Questions and Answers
- What routes were canceled? The U.S. government rejected 13 routes, some operational and others planned, departing from AICM and AIFA.
- Who attended the meeting? President Claudia Sheinbaum, members of her cabinet, and high-level representatives from Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva (VivaAerobus).
- What was discussed at the meeting? The participants aimed to address the new turbulence faced by Mexico’s aviation industry, with airlines being the first affected party. The sector had previously expressed its desire for dialogue and offered technical collaboration.
- What have the airlines communicated to their customers? Volaris, Viva, and Aeroméxico have clarified that most routes remain unaffected. They’ve also provided alternatives for passengers impacted by canceled flights.
- What is Aerus’s situation? Aerus, a regional airline, requested the DOT to remove them from the list of affected carriers since their operations between Mexico and the U.S. do not originate from AICM or AIFA.
