The Department of Transportation has canceled 13 flight routes to the United States operated by Mexican airlines in the latest installment in an ongoing battle over fair airline competition between the two countries.
The order to nix the routes, which was issued by the FAA on October 28, accuses Mexico of illegally canceling and freezing U.S. carriers’ flights in Mexico City for three years while still allowing Mexican carriers to add more routes to the U.S.
At the center of the quarrel is the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement, which was meant to open up air travel and fair competition between the two nations. However, U.S. officials say that Mexico began breaking the terms of the deal in 2022, when it took away some of U.S. airlines’ airport slots in Mexico City and forced U.S. cargo carriers to move out of the capital’s main airport, Benito Juárez (MEX), to one farther outside the city Felipe Ángeles (NLU).
“These deals are binding, and like our trade agreements, President Trump is going to put America First and enforce them,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Until Mexico stops the games and honors its commitments, we will continue to hold them accountable. No country should be able to take advantage of our carriers, our market, and our flyers without repercussions.”
Among the disallowed routes are Aeromexico service between Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) and San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU); Volaris service between MEX and Newark (EWR); and Aeromexico flights between Mexico City Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) and Houston (IAH) and McAllen, Texas (MFE).
The order also cancels several routes proposed by Mexican carrier Viva Aerobus between NLU and Austin (AUS), New York JFK, Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), and Orlando (MCO).
The DOT says U.S. travelers affected by the canceled routes should contact their airline for more information.
The dispute over fair air travel policies has been escalating throughout the year. In July 2025, Duffy first slapped new rules on Mexican airlines, which included requiring detailed schedules for all U.S. flights and mandatory prior approval from the DOT for any large charter flights from Mexico to the U.S. In September 2025, the DOT also forced Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their joint venture agreement.
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