If you manage shipping and logistics between the US and Mexico, a recent decision from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) just made your job more complicated.
The US has officially pulled the plug on 13 key flight routes operated by Mexican airlines and is moving to ban belly cargo from Mexico City's main airport .
This isn't just an airline problem. It's a supply chain problem. Here's a breakdown of what's happening and what your logistics strategy needs to account for.
The Headline Actions
In a significant escalation of a long-standing aviation dispute, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a series of measures on October 28, 2025 .
- Route Revocations: The DOT has revoked approval for 13 existing or planned routes operated by Mexican carriers Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus . This affects flights from both the newer Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) and the primary Mexico City International Airport (AICM/Benito Juárez) .
- Belly Cargo Freeze & Proposed Ban: The DOT has immediately frozen any growth of combined passenger and cargo ("belly cargo") services from Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) . More critically, they have proposed a full ban on Mexican passenger airlines transporting belly cargo between MEX and the US, which could take effect in about three months .
Why is This Happening? It's About Fair Play
The US government isn't taking these steps arbitrarily. According to Secretary Duffy, this is a direct response to Mexico's government "illegally cancel[ing] and froz[ing] U.S. carrier flights for three years without consequences" .
The core issue dates back to 2022, when the US alleges Mexico violated the 2015 Air Transport Agreement by rescinding flight slots from US passenger carriers and forcing US all-cargo carriers to relocate their operations . The DOT sees the recent moves as a necessary enforcement of international agreements .
A List of Affected Routes
The revoked routes impact connections to major US hubs, which will reduce overall air capacity between the two countries. The affected flights include :
From Felipe Ángeles (AIFA): Services to Houston, McAllen, and Puerto Rico (Aeroméxico), as well as proposed Viva Aerobus routes to Austin, New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Denver, Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami, and Orlando.
** From Mexico City (MEX/Benito Juárez):** Aeroméxico's route to San Juan and Volaris's service to Newark .
Flights currently operating from AIFA to the US, like those to McAllen and Houston, must be suspended by November 7, 2025 .
What This Means for Your Logistics Operations
- Reduced Air Cargo Capacity: Belly cargo in passenger planes is a critical link in the supply chain for time-sensitive, high-value, or light freight. A ban from MEX would immediately remove a significant amount of cargo space from the market, potentially leading to congestion and rate increases on remaining all-cargo services.
- Need for Alternative Routes: With these specific routes canceled, shippers will need to find new pathways for their goods. This might mean rerouting through different Mexican airports or relying more on ground transportation for the first leg of the journey.
- Increased Scrutiny on Planning: The proposed belly cargo ban has a ~3 month window. Now is the time to conduct a supply chain stress test, audit your reliance on belly cargo from MEX, and build contingency plans to avoid disruption if the ban is finalized .
The Bigger Picture for US-Mexico Trade
This aviation dispute is part of a broader pattern. Just last month, the DOT ordered Delta and Aeroméxico to unwind their joint venture, citing anti-competitive concerns . The US government is clearly signaling it will aggressively enforce aviation agreements to protect its carriers and ensure what it calls a "fair" market .
For businesses, this means the landscape of US-Mexico air logistics is becoming less predictable. Building resilient, flexible supply chains is no longer optional-it's essential.
Stay Informed with XMAE Logistics
Navigating these sudden regulatory changes is what we do best. As your partner in cross-border logistics, we're already analyzing alternative solutions and modes of transport to keep your goods moving seamlessly.
Got questions about how these flight changes will impact your specific shipments? Contact our team of experts today for a personalized logistics review.
