© Jorg Hackemann
After the US lifted restrictions on Mexican airlines launching routes from the capital to the northern neighbour, several have signalled ambitions to avail themselves of the opportunity.
With restrictions on US airlines also removed and moves by the Mexican government to beef up aviation, cross-border traffic appears poised for expansion.
The US-Mexico aviation dispute took a large step towards resolution last week when Washington announced the end of its sanctions on Mexican airlines imposed in July of last year after taking umbrage at the government’s decision in 2023 to ban freighters from Mexico City’s Benito Juarez airport (AICM) and curtail take-off slots at the chronically congested airport – steps the US authorities deemed a violation of their aviation bilateral agreement.
Faced with the prospect of having its aviation safety downgraded once again to Category 2, the Mexican authorities have largely yielded to US demands for restitution of landing slots at AICM taken from US passenger airlines. They also took a step back on the freighter ban.
The Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communication and Transport stated that freighter operations would be permitted during times when AICM is not congested and that US carriers would be welcome to apply. In return, Washington gave the green light for new Mexican airline flights from AICM and Felipe Angeles Airport (AIFA), the Mexican capital’s designated freighter gateway.
According to the Mexican transport ministry, 10 to 12 new routes could be launched in a first phase, mostly from AIFA, where operating capacity is available.
Mexico’s National Chamber of Air Transport said it was “a significant step to offer certainty to the industry and advance actions that help the development of passenger and cargo services”.
Robert Van De Weg, CEO of Mexican cargo airline mas, commented: “In general it is a positive signal that things are opening up,” but added that he did not expect this to trigger an immediate surge in activity in the market.
So far, US passenger and cargo airlines have not given any official signs of plans to resume flights to AICM or AIFA. Their Mexican counterparts on the passenger side appear more anxious to start new US flights.
Aeromexico CEO Andres Conesa told reporters on Tuesday it was considering several US destinations and a first batch of routes could be launched early next year, with potentially more halfway through 2027. He did not disclose destinations, except San Juan, which would likely be started in the second tranche, he said.
The first batch of new routes could be unveiled as early as next week, he added, and his finance chief, Ricardo Sanchez, indicated that Aeromexico had aircraft available to mount new flights.
Volaris commented that the regulatory development would allow it to advance connectivity between Mexico City and US destinations, while Viva indicated that it would begin to evaluate possible routes.
But Mexican cargo airlines have not voiced any plans for new US-bound flights, possibly in light of capacity constraints.
Mr Van De Weg has his eyes on US expansion, but also has no immediate plans to increase US operations beyond its service to Los Angeles. He said: “We will look at mid-2027 to eventually add an additional gateway in the US.”
However, while recent agreements have opened the door to more cross-border cargo flights, there is still a chance the process could get derailed.
The US Federal Aviation Administration is due to review Mexico’s aviation safety again in December. At the end of the last review, it flagged 21 issues that required addressing by aviation regulator AFAC.
The budget proposal for the agency for the coming year [Mexican aviation alarmed as AFAC faces 73% budget cut – The Loadstar] caused alarm in the industry when unveiled last month, but the government has made adjustments. On Monday, transport minister Jesus Antonio Esteva announced that AFAC would get a significant budget increase, plus 100 new staff.
According to him, the administration plans to publish an updated national aviation policy in the coming weeks, and is working on a national air navigation plan covering the years to 2040.