Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a sharp rebuke on Saturday against Mexico, accusing the country of flagrantly violating the 2015 U.S.-Mexico air transport agreement and engaging in unfair tactics that undermine American airlines. This strong response marks an escalation in tensions between the two nations regarding aviation rights and market access.
The 2015 air agreement governs the regulatory framework for flights between the U.S. and Mexico, aiming to foster fair competition and reciprocal access to each other’s skies. However, Secretary Duffy alleges that Mexico has flagrantly disregarded the pact’s terms by allowing its airlines to operate in ways that unfairly harm U.S. carriers, including granting routes and traffic rights that exceed the limits agreed upon.
“Mexico’s blatant disregard for the agreements that bind our countries undermines not only fair competition but also the economic interests of American carriers and their workers,” Duffy asserted in a public statement. He highlighted a “pattern of egregious violations and unfair competitive practices” that have negatively impacted U.S. airlines’ market share and profitability on routes to and from Mexico.
The Transportation Secretary outlined a range of proposed punitive measures designed to compel Mexico to comply with the agreement. These actions include imposing restrictions on Mexican carriers operating in the U.S. market and reevaluating bilateral cooperation on aviation safety and security regulatory standards.
Transportation officials emphasized that this response is aimed at protecting U.S. airline interests from what they consider “unfair subsidies and aggressive expansionism by Mexican airlines.” They argued the current situation distorts market conditions and threatens the longstanding spirit of mutual respect and cooperation between the two countries’ aviation sectors.
For years, there have been complaints from U.S. airlines regarding Mexico’s expansion of flights that appear to exceed negotiated limits without proper consultation, impacting competitive dynamics. Industry experts note that such violations can lead to reduced revenue for U.S. carriers and can pose risks to operational fairness and passenger choice.
The dispute comes amid broader concerns about trade fairness and regulatory compliance between the U.S. and Mexico, which remains a critical economic partner. Aviation market analysts suggest that failure to resolve these issues amicably could lead to prolonged trade frictions affecting more than just the airline industry.
Secretary Duffy’s strong language and decisive measures signal that the Trump administration is taking a tougher stance on international aviation agreements, reflecting a broader trend towards assertive enforcement of trade rules. The administration has called on Mexico to immediately engage in negotiations to rectify its breaches and restore equitable treatment of U.S. carriers.
As this situation develops, stakeholders from across the aviation industry will watch closely to see whether Mexico responds constructively or whether the dispute escalates into further regulatory and diplomatic clashes. For now, the Trump administration’s warning serves as a clear reminder that longstanding international agreements will be rigorously protected.
