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The US Department Of Transportation (DOT) has lifted restrictions that prevented Mexican airlines from launching new US routes from Mexico City's two international airports, almost a year after it blocked 13 routes operated or planned by 
Aeromexico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus. The decision took effect immediately on Friday, October 16, allowing Mexican carriers to once again apply for new routes and additional flights to the US from 
Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU).
The restrictions stemmed from a dispute that began in 2022, when Mexico rescinded slots held by US passenger airlines at MEX and later forced cargo carriers to relocate to NLU. Then, in October 2025, the DOT retaliated by canceling the 13 routes and blocking Mexican airlines from adding new routes or frequencies between Mexico City and the US.
US–Mexico Aviation Dispute Dates Back To 2022
The DOT said the decision reflected steps Mexico had taken to address US concerns over its compliance with the 2015 US–Mexico Air Transport Agreement. Washington argued that Mexico had breached the agreement by restricting US airlines' access to slots at MEX and forcing cargo carriers to relocate at short notice, which it said gave Mexican airlines an unfair advantage.
The original order — issued by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on October 28, 2025 — revoked approval for 11 proposed routes and two existing Aeromexico services from Mexico City. Duffy said it was a response to Mexico "illegally" canceling and freezing US carrier flights for three years. The order also blocked Mexican airlines from launching new routes or increasing frequencies on existing services between Mexico City and the US.
These restrictions followed measures introduced by Mexican authorities in August 2022, including withdrawing slots at MEX and reducing hourly movements. The changes had a significant impact on American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, which the DOT argued was in breach of the 2015 agreement.
Then, in February 2023, Mexico ordered cargo airlines to leave MEX and move their operations to nearby NLU. Mexico said the measures were intended to reduce congestion at its main airport, but Washington argued that Mexican passenger airlines retained an advantage because they could continue carrying cargo in the holds of their aircraft at MEX.
Which 13 Routes Were Previously Affected?
A total of 11 proposed routes and two existing routes were abruptly canceled or blocked under the order in October 2025, with Viva Aerobus hit the hardest. Aeromexico lost a planned route from MEX to San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), which was due to begin on October 29, 2025. It also had to axe existing flights from NLU to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and McAllen International Airport (MFE).
Meanwhile, Volaris was blocked from launching a planned service from MEX to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), while Viva Aerobus lost nine planned routes from NLU to Austin (AUS), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York JFK (JFK) and Orlando (MCO).
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines were among the carriers affected by Mexico's earlier reductions in airport capacity and changes to slot allocations at MEX. Additionally, US cargo operators FedEx and UPS were among those required to relocate their operations to NLU in 2023, which they argued was enforced at short notice to their detriment.
Some Restrictions Will Remain On Mexican Airlines
The decision does not remove every measure introduced during the dispute. Mexican airlines must still file their US schedules with the DOT and obtain approval for services using large aircraft. Additionally, a US official told Reuters that two other orders will remain in place, adding that Washington will closely monitor Mexico's compliance with its commitments.
The lifting of the restrictions follows months of negotiations and concessions. In late 2025, Mexican airlines returned six slots at MEX to US carriers, before a preliminary agreement on further reforms to airport slot allocation was reached in May. Mexico says it is committed to introducing a capacity declaration process in line with international best practices, ensuring US airlines have fair and transparent access to request and operate slots at MEX.