Overview
- The DOT order pulls approvals for 13 current or planned routes by Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus, with two active AIFA services ending on November 7 and 11 planned launches blocked immediately.
- All combined passenger-and-cargo flights from AIFA to the United States are provisionally suspended, and expansion of belly cargo services from Mexico City’s AICM is frozen.
- The DOT also proposes a tentative ban on Mexican passenger airlines carrying belly cargo between AICM and U.S. points, which would follow a roughly 108-business-day process if finalized.
- President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected the decision as unilateral and without technical basis, directed diplomatic outreach to U.S. counterparts, and scheduled a meeting with the affected carriers.
- Airlines and industry groups warn of connectivity and economic impacts during peak travel periods, as U.S. officials cast the action as enforcing reciprocity under the 2015 bilateral agreement.