MEXICO CITY, October 17, 2026 (DAILYNWZ) — The United States has lifted restrictions that blocked Mexican airlines from expanding flights to the US from Mexico City’s two international airports, easing a dispute over bilateral aviation rules while retaining some operating requirements.
Mexico’s foreign affairs and transport ministries said on Friday that airlines could now establish new US routes from Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) and Benito Juárez International Airport.
The US Department of Transportation said the decision followed steps taken by Mexico to address Washington’s concerns about compliance with a 2015 bilateral air transport agreement. However, Mexican carriers must still submit schedules for flights to and from the US and obtain approval to operate services using large aircraft, the department said.
A US official said two other orders linked to the dispute remained in force and Washington would closely monitor Mexico’s compliance with its commitments. The decision was separate from an ongoing Federal Aviation Administration review of Mexico’s aviation oversight efforts, conducted in August, the official added.
The restrictions were imposed in October last year, when Washington froze the expansion of Mexican passenger and cargo services from the two Mexico City airports. US authorities alleged that Mexico had breached the bilateral agreement since 2022, when it withdrew airport slots held by US passenger airlines and required US all-cargo carriers to relocate their operations.
The dispute had limited Mexican airlines’ ability to expand services in the US market, one of their key international destinations.
The latest decision follows earlier steps to restore confidence in Mexico’s aviation system. The FAA downgraded Mexico’s air safety rating in May 2021 after finding that the country did not meet international aviation safety standards. The downgrade prevented Mexican airlines from adding new US routes, giving US carriers an opportunity to gain market share.
The FAA restored Mexico’s top safety rating in September 2023, allowing Mexican airlines to expand existing US routes and launch new services. Friday’s decision addresses a separate dispute over access to Mexico City airports and compliance with the bilateral air transport agreement.
In May, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Mexico had agreed to improve aviation access to Mexico City. The administration of President Donald Trump had reached an agreement with Mexico on a plan to address US concerns about compliance with the 2015 pact, Duffy said.
Mexican carriers welcomed the lifting of the restrictions. Viva and Aeromexico said the decision would strengthen air connectivity between the two countries.
The continued schedule-filing and aircraft-approval requirements, along with two remaining orders, mean the easing is not a complete end to the dispute. Washington has said it will continue to monitor Mexico’s compliance with its commitments.
