Among these measures, the U.S. cites the revocation of operating permits for American cargo airlines and the requirement to relocate certain operations from Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport to alternative airports. These actions were justified by Mexico as necessary to alleviate congestion at the capital’s main airport. Yet, according to Washington, they were not accompanied by the timely development of adequate alternative infrastructure, resulting in competitive disadvantages for U.S. carriers.
Faced with this scenario, the DOT considers that Mexico’s promises of corrective action have not been backed by concrete results. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy was emphatic in stating that “empty promises mean nothing,” underscoring that his government’s priority is “to defend the interests of U.S. airlines and ensure a level playing field.” Still, the decision does not mean a complete end to cooperation between Delta and Aeroméxico.
The two carriers may continue to operate code-share agreements, frequent-flyer reciprocity, and joint marketing programs, and Delta will remain a shareholder in the Mexican airline. What will end, however, is the antitrust immunity granted in 2017 that allowed them to act as a single company when it came to fare-setting, revenue sharing, or capacity coordination. Starting in 2026, each airline will have to design its commercial and pricing strategies independently on the transborder market, competing on equal terms with other operators.
The economic and operational implications of this break are significant. Passengers who have benefited from seamless connections, joint fares, and shared frequent-flyer miles may experience changes in flight availability, schedules, and ticket pricing. At the same time, other carriers—such as United Airlines, American Airlines, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus—could gain market share in a highly strategic and fast-growing corridor. Air traffic between Mexico and the United States has surged over the past decade, making it one of the busiest international routes in the world.
For Mexico, the challenge will be twofold: strengthening airport infrastructure to meet rising demand while ensuring that regulatory decisions on capacity and operations comply with international agreements. It will also need to maintain the confidence of strategic partners and investors in a sector vital to the country’s economic growth and global connectivity. For Delta and Aeroméxico, the task will be to redesign their long-term business plans, preserve synergies in areas still permitted under law, and explore new cooperative models that do not violate competition rules.
The DOT’s order is widely viewed as a reaffirmation of the “America First” policy applied to air transport. Beyond the immediate defense of U.S. airline interests, the decision sets a precedent for future bilateral negotiations in which strict reciprocity and compliance will be demanded. Through this regulatory action, Washington aims not only to safeguard its market but also to send a clear signal to other nations on the need to respect international commitments.
Against the backdrop of strong air-traffic growth and intense global competition, the Delta–Aeroméxico case highlights the tensions between corporate integration and regulatory sovereignty, opening a new chapter in the aviation and commercial relations between Mexico and the United States.
