U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Sec. Sean Duffy issued a warning to Mexico Saturday for allegedly breaking the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement.
The agreement was set to “significantly increase future trade and travel” between Mexico and the U.S., the DOT said in 2016. The agreement aimed to allow carriers from both countries to “better meet increasing demand in our countries, helping to drive economic growth in sectors beyond aviation, including tourism and manufacturing.”
“Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg deliberately allowed Mexico to break our bilateral aviation agreement,” Duffy said in a statement issued Saturday. “That ends today. Let these actions serve as a warning to any country who thinks it can take advantage of the U.S., our carriers, and our market. America First means fighting for the fundamental principle of fairness.”
The DOT accused Mexico of not being in compliance with the agreement since 2022 after the country “abruptly rescinded slots and then forced U.S. all-cargo carriers to relocate operations.” The U.S. carriers impacted were Delta, American and United, the DOT said. (RELATED: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Announces Plan To Address Air Traffic Control ‘Neglect’)
Mexico previously claimed the rescinding was issued in order to alleviate congestion and allow for construction at the Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX), according to the DOT. However, the construction has yet to occur after three years, the DOT said.
“By restricting slots and mandating that all-cargo operations move out of MEX, Mexico has broken its promise, disrupted the market, and left American businesses holding the bag for millions in increased costs,” the department said.
Saturday’s statement included three actions to be taken by the U.S. in an “America First” movement. One of the actions would require Mexican airlines to file their schedules with the DOT for all of their U.S. operations.
The second action would require the DOT’s approval before the operation of “any large passenger or cargo aircraft charter flights to or from the United States.”
“The Department reserves the right to disapprove flight requests from Mexico should the country fail to take corrective action,” the statement warned.
The third action included a supplemental show cause order that could withdraw the Delta/Aeromexico joint venture’s antitrust immunity.
“The U.S. Department of Transportation’s tentative proposal to terminate its approval of the strategic and pro-competitive partnership between Delta and Aeromexico would cause significant harm to consumers traveling between the U.S. and Mexico, as well as U.S. jobs, communities, and transborder competition,” Delta said in a statement to the Daily Caller.
The airline company told the Daily Caller they are reviewing the DOT’s orders regarding Mexico’s adherence to the U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement and are “look[ing] forward” to working with the Trump administration to resolve any concerns.
