Federal order impacts flight routes between US and Mexico

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Apparent violations of the U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement have led to 13 canceled routes between Mexico and the United States, including an Aeromexico route out of McAllen.

The canceled flights are part of an order issued on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean P. Duffy, who claims that Mexico has not been compliant with the aviation agreement.

A press release by the DOT claims that Mexico has illegally canceled and frozen U.S. carrier flights for three years "without consequence," while Mexican carriers continue to add new routes between both countries.

The routes impacted by the federal order include:

• An Aeromexico service between Mexico City and San Juan, Puerto Rico
• A Volaris service between Mexico City and Newark, New Jersey
• Viva Aerobus' proposed services between Mexico City and Austin, New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando airports
• Aeromexico’s current services between Mexico City and Houston and McAllen

Secretary Duffy has also proposed a ban on Mexican passenger airlines from transporting belly cargo between Mexico and the U.S., according to the DOT press release. This action would take effect 108 business days after it is finalized. 

Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) said he's been in communication with McAllen city officials to address the situation with Mexican officials.

"Because look, I understand what the Trump administration is doing, what the Mexicans are doing," Cuellar said. "They're putting our American airlines at a disadvantage. So, what the Trump administration did is they put a stop on that, on those flights. The problem is you're painting everybody with the same paintbrush and it's affecting the flights from the Valley into Mexico and other places. So, we need to address this."

Cuellar added that the cancellations will have a negative impact on the economy in McAllen and South Texas.

McAllen International Airport confirmed to ValleyCentral that they received the newly issued directive, but declined to comment.