The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a series of firm regulatory actions against the Mexican government in response to what it calls ongoing violations of the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement. The measures, outlined by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on July 19, 2025, address Mexico’s decision to unilaterally relocate all U.S. all-cargo operations from Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) and revoke slots from several U.S. passenger carriers without transparent justification.
According to the DOT, these actions have undermined market access, disrupted competitive balance, and left American cargo carriers facing significantly higher costs. Secretary Duffy characterised the response as a strong warning to any nation that seeks to undermine U.S. aviation interests: “America First means fighting for the fundamental principle of fairness.”
“Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg deliberately allowed Mexico to break our bilateral aviation agreement,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “That ends today. Let these actions serve as a warning to any country who thinks it can take advantage of the U.S., our carriers, and our market. America First means fighting for the fundamental principle of fairness.”
President Trump and Secretary Duffy are taking note of multiple other countries that are disregarding the terms of our air transport agreements. For example, we are monitoring European States to ensure that they apply the Balanced Approach process for noise abatement at their airports and do not implement unjustified operational restrictions. The Department is committed to enforcing our agreements to ensure that aviation markets are fair and pro-competitive.
The three America First actions include:
- Part 213 Order requiring Mexican airlines to file schedules with the Department for all their U.S. operations.
- Part 212 Order requiring prior DOT approval before operating any large passenger or cargo aircraft charter flights to or from the United States.
- Supplemental Show Cause Order proposing the withdrawal of the Delta/Aeromexico joint venture’s antitrust immunity (ATI), thereby taking corrective action to address competitive issues in the market.
Industry support
The Cargo Airline Association (CAA) welcomed the announcement, applauding the U.S. government’s efforts to uphold international commitments and defend the interests of American carriers.
“Today’s announcement sends a clear and necessary message: the United States will not tolerate unfair, anti-competitive behaviour that is counter to the tenets of the U.S. Open Skies framework and harms American businesses,” said Lauren Beyer, President of the CAA.
The Association noted that while carriers made significant adjustments following Mexico’s 2023 order, such arbitrary mandates threaten to set a dangerous precedent for global cargo operations.l
U.S. officials are also watching developments beyond Mexico. The DOT has indicated that similar scrutiny may apply to European states if they impose operational restrictions that deviate from internationally recognised noise abatement procedures or limit market access without following the Balanced Approach framework.
Secretary Duffy stressed the broader significance of the situation: “Let these actions serve as a warning to any country who thinks it can take advantage of the United States.”
