Federal Government Cracks Down on Mexican Airlines and Airline Partnerships under Trump Administration
In a significant development, the U.S. Department of Transportation has imposed restrictive measures on Mexican airlines, aiming to enforce competitive fairness and compliance with the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement [1][2][3][4]. The measures, announced on July 20, 2025, threaten to dissolve the joint venture between Delta Air Lines and AeroMexico, potentially disrupting travel for over 40 million passengers who fly between the U.S. and Mexico annually.
The U.S. government's actions include requiring Mexican carriers to file flight schedules, seek approval for large charter operations, and the potential termination of the joint venture’s antitrust immunity, which governs cooperative commercial activities between Delta and AeroMexico [2][3]. The Delta-AeroMexico partnership, established in 2016, enables coordinated scheduling, pricing, and revenue sharing on cross-border routes valued at nearly $800 million annually in economic benefits.
Mexico's alleged non-compliance with slot allocations at Mexico City International Airport and cargo operations requirements since 2022 has been a point of contention [1][3]. Mexico canceled or reassigned flight slots to U.S. carriers, ostensibly for airport construction that has yet to occur after three years, resulting in increased operational costs and market disruption for American airlines [1][3].
Both airlines argue that ending their alliance would unfairly penalize private businesses for government policy decisions beyond their control and appeal for reconsideration to maintain affordable, efficient transborder air service [4]. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Sean P. Duffy, frames these measures as part of an "America First" policy to uphold fairness in bilateral agreements and prevent Mexico from taking advantage of the U.S. market [3][4].
Mexico's official government response has been limited publicly, and the dispute adds complexity to the broader U.S.-Mexico trade relationship, introducing tensions in the aviation sector and possibly affecting bilateral trade indirectly [4]. The final decision regarding the joint venture's antitrust immunity and related sanctions is tentatively set no earlier than October 25, 2025 [2].
Elsewhere, a disturbing discovery was made in Zapopan, Jalisco, where 169 plastic bags containing human remains were found [5]. As for the news article titled "Rewarding Yourself For Sticking To Your Budget," no new facts have been provided.
The aviation disputes between the U.S. and Mexico are under pressure to be resolved before the restrictions take full effect in October. The ongoing dispute could deepen the ongoing trade dispute and further complicate the already strained relationship between the two nations.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-restricts-mexican-airlines-flying-us-over-airport-slots-2025-07-20/ [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/business/us-mexico-flights-restrictions.html [3] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/20/us-imposes-restrictions-on-mexican-airlines-over-airport-slots.html [4] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-20/us-strikes-blow-to-delta-aeromexico-joint-venture-over-mexico-slots [5] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-61658491
- The U.S. Department of Transportation's announcement on July 20, 2025, regarding restrictive measures on Mexican airlines could potentially disrupt the trade agreement between the aviation industry, affecting over 40 million passengers who travel annually between the U.S. and Mexico.
- As a result of potential non-compliance with slot allocations at Mexico City International Airport, the U.S. government has imposed restrictions that may lead to the termination of the joint venture's antitrust immunity for Delta Air Lines and AeroMexico, which governs commercial activities in finance and travel.
- The ongoing dispute between the U.S. and Mexico over aviation policies introduces tensions in the general news, as the final decision regarding the joint venture's antitrust immunity and related sanctions is set no earlier than October 25, 2025.
- The dispute between the two nations over aviation policies also adds complexity to the broader U.S.-Mexico trade relationship, possibly affecting lifestyle and financing for both corporate entities and individual travelers.
- In an unrelated matter, a disturbing discovery of 169 plastic bags containing human remains was made in Zapopan, Jalisco, injecting a note of tragedy into the local industry and politics, away from the ongoing policy-and-legislation discussion about the aviation sector's future.
