Sunday, July 20, 2025
In an action that has further inflamed the strained relationship between the United States and Mexico, the Trump administration slapped stricter controls on flights from Mexico and threatened to scrap the long-standing partnership of Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico. Officials say the action is in response to unfair aviation practices by the Mexican government that “have effectively blocked the economic benefits of the U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement, and have severely restricted the ability of U.S. carriers to serve Mexico.”
At the heart of the dispute is Mexico’s plan to move several international flight routes out of Benito Juarez International Airport, the country’s main airport, and into the newer Felipe Angeles International Airport, located over 30 miles away. The Trump administration thinks that the action is in breach of the trade agreement the two countries signed in 2016 and results in a disadvantage for U.S. airlines, in particular those flying from the U.S. to Mexico.
Delta And Aeromexico Alliance In Jeopardy
A key point at stake in this trade issue is the future of the relationship between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico. This antitrust immunity, which has been granted since 2016, permits both carriers to coordinate across nearly two dozen routes within the U.S.-Mexico market, generating significant consumer benefits and enhancing competition.
Effects On Travelers And U.S. Airlines
Delta, in particular, has been extremely vocal about the potential implications, saying that ending the partnership would have long-term consequences. The cut “would be a dramatic blow” to those traveling between the two nations, the airline said, adding it would be a loss of $800 million in annual consumer savings. And the dissolution of the coalition could bring an end to direct flights, which would impact some 140,000 American tourists and 90,000 Mexican tourists and deal a blow to tourism in both countries.
Aeromexico, meanwhile, is studying the U.S. Transportation Department’s order, and has committed to responding with Delta in the next few days, the company said.
U.S. Government Responses and Mexico’s Reactions
The battle over the air rights has brought a renewed focus to a trade dispute that has raged for years between the United States and Mexico. While the initial impact is on aviation, the implications could be more far-reaching, potentially including tariffs, trade pacts, and overall bilateral relations between the neighboring countries.
Mexican Government’s Lack of Response
There has been no immediate response from Mexican authorities to the latest move by the Trump administration to crack down on migrants. But the flare-up over flying rights underscores the fine line both countries walk in promoting trade against the demands of domestic constituencies, a balancing act that will require Washington and Tokyo to come to grips with the implications of their high-stakes relationship.
U.S. Travelers and Tourism Implications
For American travelers, this newest dispute could prove even more of an airport headache. Given the uncertainty around flight schedules and route approvals, passengers could experience impacts to schedules or travel times as airlines work to come to grips with an evolving regulatory environment.
Impact on the U.S.-Mexico Travel Corridor
And if officials cancel routes, that could force travelers to think twice about how they fill a much-used international travel corridor: flying between the U.S. and Mexico. The financial consequences of these changes could be substantial, including on tourism between the two countries, and not just on airlines.
Looking to the future: U.S.-Mexico aviation relations under the trade lens
(Reuters) – As the Trump administration clamps down on aviation in Mexico, the bond between U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines Inc. and its new partner, Aeromexico, is being tested, with both wanting to win over Cuba. The break in their partnership will not be in place until October, but the airlines are almost certain to continue their fight against the decision.
Ongoing Dispute and Potential Resolution
The full ramifications of such measures will be further revealed in the next few months. It’s still not clear how this trade dispute will play out, and travelers should remain watchful of any updates in flight schedules or possible service interruptions caused by the latest riff/rift. For now, the U.S. Transportation Department’s action is a major escalation in the trade tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, with the future of aviation relations between the two countries left hanging in the balance.
