U.S. Cuts 13 Flight Routes To Mexico Over Aviation Tensions
2 min readThe United States has canceled 13 routes operated by Mexican airlines and frozen new service expansions from Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX), escalating tensions over aviation rights between the two nations. The move, announced Tuesday by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, halts all passenger flights between the U.S. and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) and responds to what U.S. officials call Mexico’s “continued abuse” of the 2015 U.S.–Mexico Air Transport Agreement. Among the routes affected are Aeroméxico’s NLU–Houston […]
The post U.S. Cuts 13 Flight Routes To Mexico Over Aviation Tensions appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.
The United States has canceled 13 routes operated by Mexican airlines and frozen new service expansions from Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX), escalating tensions over aviation rights between the two nations. The move, announced Tuesday by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, halts all passenger flights between the U.S. and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) and responds to what U.S. officials call Mexico’s “continued abuse” of the 2015 U.S.–Mexico Air Transport Agreement.
Among the routes affected are Aeroméxico’s NLU–Houston and NLU–McAllen flights, Volaris’s MEX–Newark service, and Viva Aerobus’s planned NLU routes to major U.S. destinations such as Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. The Department of Transportation has also proposed banning Mexican carriers from transporting belly cargo between Mexico City and the United States, which could take effect in about 108 business days.
Secretary Duffy said Mexico has failed to honor the agreement since 2022, when it withdrew U.S. airlines’ airport slots and forced all-cargo operators to relocate from MEX. “These deals are binding, and like our trade agreements, President Trump is going to put America First and enforce them,” Duffy said.
Potential Impact on Mexican Tourism
The cancellations could have a significant effect on Mexico’s tourism sector, one of the country’s key economic drivers. With fewer flight options between major U.S. and Mexican cities, travel capacity may tighten, potentially increasing ticket prices and reducing accessibility for American tourists. The U.S. remains Mexico’s largest source of international visitors, and air connectivity has been central to post-pandemic tourism recovery.
Industry analysts warn that reduced competition and route availability could impact popular destinations served via Mexico City’s hubs, such as Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos. Mexican carriers may also face financial losses if restrictions persist, especially during the upcoming winter travel season.
Travelers affected by the cancellations are advised to contact their airlines for rebooking or alternative flight options.
