Mexico set to restore airport slots for US airlines after two-year restriction

The slot reductions at MEX began during the winter 2022/2023 season as Mexican regulators sought to address congestion at the airport. Hourly movements were cut from 61 initially down to 52 and later reduced further to 43. The cuts affected both US airlines—such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United—and Mexican carriers including Aeromexico, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris. Regulators described these measures as temporary and tied them to infrastructure projects intended to improve operations at MEX. However, no major construction followed and the slot limitations remained in place longer than planned.

Cargo carriers also faced changes when they were ordered by regulators to relocate their operations from Mexico City Airport to Felipe Ángeles International Airport outside the city. This move was mandated with little advance notice and posed operational challenges due to more limited connectivity at Felipe Ángeles compared with MEX.

US authorities have criticized these actions for violating provisions of the 2015 US–Mexico Air Transport Agreement that are meant to ensure fair access for carriers from both countries. The DOT argued that Mexico’s ban on cargo flights into MEX breached specific articles of this treaty designed to guarantee equal opportunity for cargo services across all airports in Mexico. In response, regulatory oversight of Mexican airlines operating in the US was increased.

In July, as part of its response strategy https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot121-23.html , the DOT withdrew antitrust immunity for the alliance between Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico and required greater scrutiny over flight schedules filed by Mexican carriers flying large aircraft into the US market.

At that time, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said: "Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg deliberately allowed Mexico to break our bilateral aviation agreement. That ends today. Let these actions serve as a warning to any country who thinks it can take advantage of the US, our carriers, and our market. America First means fighting for the fundamental principle of fairness."