DOT FURTHER LIMITS MEXICAN CARRIERS OVER OPEN SKIES DISPUTE WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO
November 4, 2025
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On October 28, 2025, DOT issued a pair of orders (Order 2025-10-13 and Order 2025-10-14) further restricting Mexican carrier operations because the Trump administration continues to believe that the Government of Mexico is acting contrary to the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement. The first DOT order (Order 2025-10-13) took the following actions:
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DOT will disapprove all prospective schedules for any new proposed services or increase in frequency of existing services between Felipe Ángeles International Airport (“NLU”) or Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez (“MEX”) and any U.S. point.
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DOT has disapproved all existing NLU-IAH and NLU-MFE schedules filed by Aerovias de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. and/or Aerolitoral, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a Aeromexico Connect (effective November 7, 2025, or immediately upon Presidential approval).
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DOT has disapproved all proposed schedules for:
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MEX-SJU service of Aerovias de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. and/or Aerolitoral, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a Aeromexico Connect, scheduled to begin on October 29, 2025;
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MEX-EWR service of Concesionaria Vuela Compania de Aviacion, S.A.P.I. de C.V. d/b/a Volaris, scheduled to begin on November 2, 2025; and
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Services scheduled to begin in November-December 2025 of Aeroenlaces Nacionales, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a VivaAerobus between NLU and the following U.S. points: AUS, JFK, ORD, DFW, DEN, IAH, LAX, MIA, and MCO.
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In addition to Order 2025-10-13, the second DOT order (Order 2025-10-14) proposes a prohibition on combination services (i.e., belly cargo) operated by several Mexican carriers between MEX and any U.S. airport. DOT contends that its objective in taking this step is to persuade the Government of Mexico to rescind its prohibition against U.S. all-cargo carriers operating at MEX. Notably, this prohibition has not yet been finalized so the Department is allowing interested parties 14 days to comment on this proposal. DOT is also tentatively providing a 108-day transition period after a final order is served to allow time for potential resolution.
This Aviation Blog Post is intended to keep readers current on developments in the law. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr at 202.659.6622 or esahr@eckertseamans.com; Drew Derco at 202.659.6665 or dderco@eckertseamans.com; Samantha Walter at 412.566.1920 or swalter@eckertseamans.com, Tyler Myers at 202.659.6642 or trmyers@eckertseamans.com, or any other attorney at Eckert Seamans with whom you have been working.
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