UNITED STATES-MEXICO AIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENT TO ENTER INTO FORCE NEXT MONTH

August 8, 2016

On July 22, 2016, the United States and Mexico exchanged diplomatic notes to implement a new Air Transport Agreement between the countries which will enter into force next month and significantly liberalize U.S.-Mexico aviation relations.

The Agreement will permit U.S. and Mexican passenger carriers to conduct 3rd-, 4th- and 5th- freedom scheduled and charter flights. Although the new Agreement does not include 7th-freedom passenger-carrier charter rights, DOT will consider applications on the basis of comity and reciprocity, similar to how the Department handles 7th-freedom charter applications for passenger carriers from other countries.  The new Agreement also includes unrestricted 3rd-, 4th-, 5th- and 7th-freedom rights for U.S. and Mexican cargo carriers for both scheduled and charter service.  The new Agreement does not allow for any cabotage.

We understand that DOT will be announcing in the coming days how it intends to license U.S. and Mexican carriers under the new Agreement and will keep our readers appraised of new developments.

If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6665).

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