U.S. threatens to disapprove Mexican flight requests amid airport slot disputes

The ongoing relationship between the United States and Mexico regarding airline operations is currently under strain due to actions taken by the U.S. Transportation Department. In a statement issued on July 19, 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outlined concerns stemming from Mexico's 2022 decision to relocate U.S. cargo carriers from Mexico City’s primary airport to the newer Felipe Angeles International Airport. This relocation was perceived as a violation of the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement and it allegedly favored domestic airlines, potentially costing American businesses millions. The Transportation Department indicated that if Mexico did not take appropriate action to rectify the situation, such as returning the slots to American carriers, it would start disapproving flight requests from Mexican airlines. The U.S. Department has demanded that all Mexican airlines submit their flight schedules for operations to and from the United States. Additionally, new orders will require prior approval for any large passenger or cargo charter flights. The issues were exacerbated by the U.S. government’s intent to revoke antitrust immunity for the Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico partnership, which has been in place since 2016. This decision relates to the cooperative measures that allow these airlines to share pricing and capacity management. Without this immunity, both airlines would be forced to halt their cooperation in the market, which the U.S. DOT believes is necessary to address competitive issues. In defending their position, Delta and Aeromexico argued that they should not be punished for the Mexican government's actions, as their partnership provides significant benefits to consumers, including annual savings of approximately $800 million. They continue to challenge the Transportation Department's tentative proposal to terminate the strategic partnership, stating that such actions would jeopardize routes and adversely affect U.S. jobs and competition. These developments in the aviation sector highlight a growing tension in U.S.-Mexico relations, particularly as the U.S. administration emphasizes a 'America First' policy, which prioritizes maintaining fairness in bilateral agreements.