US Imposes New Restrictions on Flights from Mexico Amid Aviation Dispute

The US Department of Transportation imposed new restrictions on flights from Mexico to the US, citing non-compliance with the 2015 Air Transport Agreement. Mexico had previously levied flight restrictions against the US, disrupting the market and causing increased costs for American businesses. The restrictions require Mexico to file schedules with the US Transportation Department for all US operations and obtain approval for large passenger or cargo charter flights. This could lead to the revocation of an antitrust immunity agreement between Delta and Aeromexico.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has implemented new restrictions on flights from Mexico to the United States, citing non-compliance with the 2015 Air Transport Agreement. The move comes in response to Mexico's recent flight restrictions that have disrupted the market and increased costs for American businesses.

The new restrictions require Mexico to file schedules with the U.S. Transportation Department for all U.S. operations and obtain approval for large passenger or cargo charter flights. This could potentially lead to the revocation of an antitrust immunity agreement between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico, a joint venture that allows the airlines to collaborate on ticketing and schedules.

The DOT's actions are a response to Mexico's decision to reduce slots for passenger flights and relocate all U.S. cargo operations to Mexico City's second airport, Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU), away from the main international airport (MEX). The DOT claims that these actions have broken Mexico's promises, disrupted the market, and left American businesses with increased costs.

The new restrictions could have significant implications for passengers traveling between the U.S. and Mexico. The termination of the antitrust immunity agreement between Delta and Aeromexico would likely result in higher fares and potentially fewer flights. However, both airlines are members of the SkyTeam alliance, which could mitigate some of the impact on passengers.

The U.S. and Mexico are still engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, with the two governments stressing the importance of developing the bilateral relationship in a manner fully consistent with the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement [1].

References:
[1] https://www.airwaysmag.com/new-post/us-mexico-air-transport-agreement-hard-turn
[2] https://upgradedpoints.com/news/delta-aeromexico-lose-joint-venture-antitrust-immunity/