In a move emblematic of mounting pressure from Washington, the Mexican government has returned six takeoff and landing slots at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to US airlines. The decision, confirmed by Mexico’s infrastructure secretary, follows months of bilateral friction over what the US Department of Transportation (DOT) described as anti-competitive practices and violations of the bilateral air transport agreement.
The reallocation stems from a broader negotiation between the two governments, in which the US alleged that Mexico had curtailed cargo operations at AICM and reduced available flight slots without adequate consultation. These actions, according to US authorities, undermined fair access for American carriers and breached procedural norms embedded in the bilateral aviation framework. In response, Mexico agreed not only to return the contested slots—originally held by Mexican carriers—but also to overhaul its slot allocation system.
The new system, to be implemented with specialized software, is intended to enhance transparency in how operating times are distributed at AICM. It will also shift slot compliance monitoring away from AICM’s internal administration to an external authority, reflecting a key US demand for independent oversight. These adjustments mark a significant concession by Mexican regulators, who have historically maintained tight control over airport operations at the capital’s congested hub.
The slot return alone is insufficient to restore full operational parity between carriers from both countries.
Yet despite these gestures, US restrictions on Mexican airlines remain in place. At least 13 planned international routes have been suspended, many of them intended to support projected demand during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The continued enforcement of these measures underscores that the slot return alone is insufficient to restore full operational parity between carriers from both countries. For Mexican airlines, the loss of AICM access further constrains their competitiveness in a market already shaped by regulatory asymmetries.
Meanwhile, cargo operations remain in limbo. While no US cargo airline has resumed service at AICM, freight operators are pressing for infrastructure improvements at Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), which was positioned as an alternative cargo hub following restrictions at AICM. Despite having more available slots and space, AIFA’s logistical limitations continue to hinder its viability as a substitute gateway for international freight flows.
The episode highlights structural tensions in Mexico’s aviation policy: balancing sovereign control over strategic infrastructure with the demands of international partners for openness and predictability. As air traffic grows and global events like the World Cup approach, the effectiveness of Mexico’s regulatory recalibrations—particularly the promised software-driven slot system—will be closely watched by investors and airlines alike.
