Trump administration acts in opposition to Mexico over airline competitors

The U.S. Division of Transportation on Saturday stated the Trump administration deliberate to take a number of actions in opposition to Mexico over airline competitors points. 

“U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy right this moment introduced a slate of America First actions to fight Mexico’s blatant disregard of the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Settlement and its ongoing anti-competitive conduct,” a information launch from the U.S. Division of Transportation stated. 

The division stated Mexico hasn’t been in compliance with the bilateral settlement since 2022, when it rescinded some flight slots for U.S. carriers at Mexico Metropolis’s worldwide airport and compelled U.S. cargo carriers to relocate operations inside the metropolis. 

Whereas the division stated Mexico claimed the slots have been taken away to permit for development on the airport, “that has but to materialize three years later. By proscribing slots and mandating that all-cargo operations transfer out of [Mexico City International Airport], Mexico has damaged its promise, disrupted the market and left American companies holding the bag for tens of millions in elevated prices.”

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The three actions will embrace requiring airways out of Mexico to file schedules with the U.S. Transportation Division for all U.S. operations, requiring division approval earlier than working giant passenger or cargo constitution flights to or from the U.S. and the division would possibly withdraw antitrust immunity from the Delta Air Traces three way partnership with Aeromexico to deal with aggressive points out there.

Duffy, just lately tapped by Trump to additionally function interim NASA chief, blamed former President Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary beneath Biden, for permitting “Mexico to interrupt our bilateral aviation settlement.” 

Aeromexico Airways Airplane at Mexico Metropolis Worldwide Airport in Benito Juárez.  (Getty / Getty Photos)

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“That ends right this moment,” Duffy added. “Let these actions function a warning to any nation who thinks it could benefit from the U.S., our carriers and our market. America First means preventing for the elemental precept of equity.”

Duffy stated the administration was additionally taking a look at different international locations that disregard air transport agreements.

A Volaris airplane taxis at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport final yr. Volaris is a Mexican airline.  (Kevin Carter/Getty Photos / Getty Photos)

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“For instance, we’re monitoring European states to make sure that they apply the balanced strategy course of for noise abatement at their airports and don’t implement unjustified operational restrictions,” the division stated. “The division is dedicated to imposing our agreements to make sure that aviation markets are truthful and pro-competitive.”