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US Lifts Limits on New Mexican Flights From Mexico City
In brief
Mexican airlines can again plan new flights to the United States from Mexico City’s two international airports after the US Department of Transportation lifted restrictions it imposed a year ago, Mexico’s foreign affairs and transportation ministries said on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Why the restrictions were imposed
Washington put the limits in place in October 2025, saying Mexico had not honoured a 2015 bilateral air transport agreement since 2022, when it took back takeoff and landing slots from US airlines at Mexico City’s Benito Juárez airport (AICM) and moved cargo flights to Felipe Ángeles airport (AIFA), according to El País. The order led to the cancellation of 13 routes and blocked new Mexican services to the US from both airports.
What changed
In May, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Mexico had agreed to improve US airlines’ access to Mexico City, Reuters reported. El País said the US has now revoked the restrictions with immediate effect after months of talks. Mexico’s government called the move a significant step for air links between the two countries, and carriers Viva and Aeroméxico welcomed it, according to Reuters.
Lifting the order does not automatically add flights: airlines still need route, slot and regulatory approvals before new services can start.
What travellers should know
Existing flights are not affected. New routes, if approved, would be announced by the airlines. Planning a trip? Our time zone converter and currency converter can help. ViralScopeHub is not affiliated with any airline or government; this is an independent news summary.
Why it matters
Mexico City is one of the busiest air markets linked to the US, so reopening the door to new routes could mean more choice for travellers and more competition on fares once airlines secure approvals.
Related free tools: Time Zone Converter, Currency Converter
Sources
- Reuters (via Financial Newsletter): US lifts restrictions on new Mexican flights from capital’s airports
- El País México: Estados Unidos levanta las restricciones a las aerolíneas mexicanas tras recuperar espacios en el principal aeropuerto de Ciudad de México
- La Jornada: EU levanta restricciones a aerolíneas mexicanas
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