Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy might block flights from Mexico due to a failed aviation deal.

US Transport Secretary Warns Mexico Over Flight Requests

WASHINGTON – Transport Secretary Sean Duffy issued a warning to the Mexican government on Saturday, indicating that the US might refuse flight requests following an incident where a US freight carrier was forced out of Mexico City and lost its flight slot to American Airlines.

In 2022, officials from the Trump administration criticized Mexico for breaking a bilateral aviation agreement, which led to the withdrawal of US flight slots and the expulsion of US airlines from Benito Juarez International Airport. Duffy has since mandated the government to share all flight schedules with the Ministry of Transport.

Previously, US carriers such as Delta and United Airlines were granted slots at Mexico City Airport.

Duffy also stipulated that large Mexican passenger and cargo aircraft must receive approval at the departmental level to enter or exit the United States.

He asserted in a statement, “Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg knowingly allowed Mexico to violate our bilateral aviation agreement,” claiming that his agency has let American businesses face significant losses.

“This ends today. These actions signal warnings to the United States, our airlines, and nations that believe they can exploit our market. America will stand firm for the basic principles of fairness.”

The US freight carrier was instructed to vacate the airport within 108 days, even though it was protected under the US-Mexico Air Transport Agreement established during the Obama administration in 2015.

It’s been over three years since construction was meant to begin, yet there has been no progress, leading to calls for American cargo ships to exit Mexico City, according to the Department of Transportation.

Data from the Department of Commerce’s National Travel and Tourism Office shows that, as of 2019, Mexico was the top destination for travelers departing the United States.

Furthermore, the Transport Director suggested that the US might retract antitrust immunity from Delta and AeroMexico, citing “serious concerns” about the long-term competitiveness of the US-Mexico market. He mentioned that government actions undermine airlines, consumers, and trade.

This potential withdrawal could terminate the airline’s joint venture, which facilitates revenue sharing and overall capacity management. However, Delta would retain stock in AeroMexico and continue operations between the two countries.

The department emphasized, “Mexico lacks a transparent and non-discriminatory slot allocation system that aligns with international standards and applies uniformly across the country’s airports.”

The order added, “The prospect of voluntary litigation concerning the inconsistent slot allocation system, competitiveness in the US-Mexico market, and reliance on aviation services contracts to ensure proper competition remains a concern.”

It also noted that Mexico’s actions impact airlines seeking market entry, current competitors, air travel consumers, and products that depend on time-sensitive air freight between the two nations.

Delta remarked that the “tentative proposal” to cease the agreement “will significantly harm consumers traveling between the US and Mexico, as well as US jobs, community interests, and cross-border competition.”

A spokesperson for Delta commented, “We are assessing a number of DOT orders related to Mexico’s adherence to the US-Mexico Air Transport Agreement and are eager to collaborate with the Trump administration to address these matters.”