US threatens Mexican flights over cargo, competition issues
'By restricting slots and mandating that all-cargo operations move out of MEX, Mexico has broken its promise, disrupted the market and left American businesses holding the bag for millions in increased costs,' the transportation department said. The AIFA is at full capacity for cargo handling and needs to be expanded.
For passenger flights, it lags far behind MEX as transportation to and from the city remains spotty.
'The move not only disrupted critical air cargo operations and set a dangerous precedent for how all-cargo carriers may be treated in global markets, it also created uncertainty about how potential safety emergencies could be handled,' said the Cargo Airline Association, which represents major US cargo carriers.
Mexico's transportation ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The transportation department issued orders requiring Mexican airlines to file schedules with the department for all their US operations by a late-July deadline while requiring prior US approval for large charter flights to or from the US.
Airlines set to be affected by the measures, including Volaris and Viva Aerobus, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
If the US rescinds antitrust approval for Delta and Aeromexico, they would be required to end their co-operation on pricing, capacity and revenue sharing. Delta would be able to retain its equity stake in Aeromexico and continue other aspects of its partnership. The transportation department also said it could take action against European countries over limitations at airports.
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