Overview
- President Claudia Sheinbaum directed foreign and transport officials to secure a call with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, send a formal letter of arguments, and meet Tuesday with cargo operators at AIFA.
- The DOT move pulls approval for 13 Mexico–U.S. routes, warns against authorizing new routes or frequency increases for Mexican carriers, and includes restrictions on carrying cargo on passenger flights.
- Airlines say most U.S. services remain in operation; Viva Aerobus lost the bulk of newly planned AIFA routes, Aeroméxico’s Mexico City–San Juan launch was halted, and Volaris’ AICM–Newark start was canceled.
- Urban-mobility experts caution that shifting cargo back to Mexico City’s AICM would raise noise, air pollution and heavy‑truck traffic, noting AFAC data showing AIFA handled 292,697 tons of cargo versus 184,256 at AICM from January to September 2025.
- Analysts and local reports say the measures threaten AIFA’s role as an international gateway, with potential knock‑on effects for connectivity ahead of the 2026 World Cup.