Aviation Restrictions Between the US and Mexico: Why This Is Critical for Logistics

On July 18, 2025, the US Department of Transportation imposed new restrictions, limiting air shipments from Mexico, which significantly changes the configuration of air logistics in North America. Discover how logistics operators and businesses can deal with this challenge. Let’s see some useful tips for supply chains planned across North America.

Key details

Department of Transportation (DOT) restrictions were introduced to Mexico to coordinate all flights through US authorities, prior approval of charter flights, and the threat of revoking the antitrust immunity of the Delta–Aeroméxico alliance (its cancellation is expected in October and will lead to a loss of stability, flexibility, and volume of logistics flows between the US and Mexico).

All participants in the supply chain, such as shippers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and airlines, should know what to prepare for:

• potential increases in air freight rates,

• shortage of cargo space in passenger routes (especially in the ramping period of peak season),

• squeezing of hubs and border transshipments.

Due to heavy reliance on cross-border trade, any disruptions in air logistics between the US and Mexico automatically become a potential threat to delivery regularity, especially in the just-in-time delivery, electronics, and e-commerce industries.

What’s the background?

What was the main trigger for the US in this conflict? Let's learn more about Mexico's aviation policy, charter restrictions, and threats to the Delta–Aeroméxico antitrust alliance.

Reduction of slots at Mexico City Airport

• Was: 61 takeoffs/landings per hour

• Now: 43 per hour (as of 2023–2024)

The Mexican authorities announced a unilateral reduction in the number of takeoffs and landings at the country's primary international airport, Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX), back in 2023. 

The restrictions were imposed due to "infrastructure overload," but the DOT is concerned about the opportunities lost for American carriers and stresses the breach of the appeal of the 2015 "open skies" pact.

Lack of transparency on slot allocation

American companies like United and Delta report that they cannot get the slots they want at MEX because they are being passed across to Mexican airlines, including state-owned Mexicana, which was relaunched by the government in 2023.

Relocation of cargo carriers to AIFA

This relocation in 2023 is considered compulsory, as no consultations were held with carriers. Also, Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) is located in the northeast of the capital, 45–50 km from the center.

What are the consequences?

Before the new airport is fully operational, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and co. claimed unfinished infrastructure, adverse city access (especially for time-sensitive cargo or night flights), and the lack of a cargo-hub-worthy setup such as MEX.

The Cargo Airline Association asserts that being in the new location has forced FedEx and UPS to incur operating costs in the millions every year, while delivery times have gone up 12-18%.

Points from the Mexican government

The Mexican government sustains the following arguments against the claims and enforcement measures:

AIFA: a government infrastructure project and not a political one

Due to extreme congestion at Mexico City's main airport (MEX), measures had to be taken regarding the organization of the airspace of the country; certain cargo and passenger flights started to be shifted to the new Felipe Ángeles Airport (AIFA). According to Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, measures are put in place to avoid such a level of congestion in infrastructure.

Sovereignty of the airport activities

Mexico has confirmed that the Open Skies Agreement (2015) does not provide for the transfer of any rights to independently form slots or regulate technical policy with aviation infrastructure. Slot allocation is considered a monetary institution managed by AFAC and is not carried out manually by any director of any government agency. They state that they assess the behavior of foreign airlines for their integrity.

Mexicana is a public carrier without privileges 

The Mexican side claims that Mexicana de Aviación did not receive any special advantages in the allocation of slots and that its consolidation is a matter of subsidizing regional routes.

According to government officials, Mexicana operates in the domestic market, serving cities that were previously inaccessible, and therefore does not compete with any US carrier.

Principle of reciprocity

Mexican officials have stated that US regulators are making life difficult for Mexican carriers in certain hubs, such as Houston and New York. They claim that the US is applying double standards by demanding full liberalization from others but failing to provide clarity in its own policy on slots and routes.

Readiness for negotiations and technical dialogue

The Mexican authorities have confirmed that they are ready for direct negotiations with the US government to avoid escalation of the conflict. SICT and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working together to form a negotiating team.

On July 22, 2025, President Sheinbaum stated that a solution could be found “in the coming days” if the dialogue focused on technical rather than political issues.

Changes in US-Mexico air logistics

The following restrictive measures have been taken by the US Department of Transportation (DOT):

Impact on the supply chain

Impact on freight carriers

• increased cost of land delivery (longer distance, up to 50 km from downtown Mexico City);

• increasing transit times;

• delays in urgent shipments, especially in e-commerce and pharmaceuticals.

Impact on importers

• limited access to cargo compartments on passenger aircraft (especially Aeroméxico)

• lack of capacity during peak periods (e.g., electronics or textile season)

• further increases in air freight rates between the US and Mexico

• risk of losing SLAs (service level agreements), supply chain disruptions, and delays in on-time delivery

What advice for shippers and carriers?

Supply chain participants need to be proactive. Here's what logistics managers, shippers, air carriers, and logistics service providers should consider:

For shippers and cargo owners:

• Review the terms and penalties for delays in service level agreements (SLAs) with logistics partners.

• Adjust inventory levels in warehouses in the US and northern Mexico, especially for critical goods (pharmaceuticals, electronics, and air freight).

• Implement route redundancy (e.g., air + road transport via border terminals in Texas or Arizona).

• Begin redirecting some cargo flows to alternative Latin American countries (Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama) via transshipment in Miami or Houston.

For logistics operators (3PL, customs brokers, freight forwarders):

• Use alternative airports in Mexico that allow you to bypass MEX or AIFA restrictions:

- GDL (Guadalajara) — has well-maintained cargo infrastructure;

- TIJ (Tijuana) — advantageous for ground connections to California;

- CUN (Cancun) — for the East Coast and pharmaceutical opportunities.

• Include scenarios for freight rate increases and capacity restrictions in communication with your customer.

• Engage with regional charter operators (especially those with Part 135 certification) as a temporary solution for larger charter companies.

For airlines:

• Review the existing route network between the US and Mexico, taking into account:

- The risk of losing joint flight frequency planning within alliances;

- Unequal access to slots at MEX airport;

- And the need to duplicate cargo transportation on some routes with independent flights.

• Consider cargo transshipment points via ground hubs:

- CBX in San Diego/Tijuana;

- Laredo, Texas;

- Nogales, Arizona.

• Work with integrators to conclude block charter or interline tonnage sharing agreements (e.g., UPS, DHL).

For 4PL and major logistics integrators:

• Create a separate category of operations planning for risks on US-Mexico routes:

- partial closures of certain routes,

- interruptions in charter flights, and

- delays in flight consolidation following the introduction of new bureaucratic requirements.

• Prepare separate contracts with operators capable of working through AIFA or other strategic airports.

• Create a hybrid logistics model: flights to key destinations + LTL/FTL transportation through the northern states of Mexico.

All participants in the supply chain between the US and Mexico should review the geography of cargo flows, develop a contingency plan, and be prepared to redistribute volumes between airports, routes, and modes of transport. This is becoming very important for companies with tight delivery deadlines (JIT).

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Currently, effective logistics planning is crucial.

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