Administrative Action Aims at Mexican Aviation: Focus on Flight Operations and Airline Partnerships under Trump's Leadership
The Trump administration's flight restrictions on flights from Mexico, set to take full effect in October, have put the longstanding partnership between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico under threat.
These restrictions were imposed as a response to Mexico reducing U.S. carriers' flight slots and forcing cargo operations to move out of Mexico City's main airport, Benito Juarez International Airport. The U.S. Department of Transportation deemed these actions as violating the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement and anti-competitive.
The restrictions require all Mexican passenger, cargo, and charter airlines to submit flight schedules for DOT approval and mandate government approval before operating large passenger or cargo charter flights to/from the U.S. The most direct impact on the Delta-Aeromexico partnership is the threat by the Trump administration to withdraw antitrust immunity from their joint venture.
Antitrust immunity allows these partners to coordinate schedules and pricing. Without it, the alliance’s effectiveness and economic viability would be severely damaged.
The U.S. administration's move aims to pressure Mexico into restoring fair treatment for U.S. airlines by ensuring compliance with the bilateral aviation agreement. However, the immediate effect was heightened tension between the two countries and uncertainty surrounding the Delta-Aeromexico cooperation.
The restrictions could deepen the ongoing trade dispute and disrupt travel for over 40 million passengers who fly between the U.S. and Mexico annually. Both governments are facing pressure to resolve the ongoing aviation disputes before the flight restrictions take full effect in October.
Sources: [1] CNBC, "Trump administration to restrict flights from Mexico over slots dispute," July 20, 2025. [2] Reuters, "U.S. to restrict flights from Mexico over airport dispute," July 20, 2025. [3] BBC News, "Delta-Aeromexico partnership under threat due to U.S.-Mexico flight restrictions," August 1, 2025. [4] The Wall Street Journal, "U.S. to restrict flights from Mexico over airport dispute," July 20, 2025.
The corporate partnership between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico could be altered due to the compromised antitrust immunity, which may affect their coordination of schedules and pricing, stemming from the U.S.-Mexico trade agreement dispute. The restrictions on flights could potentially disrupt the lifestyle and travel plans of over 40 million passengers annually, affecting both business and leisure Journeys.
