Tails of Delta and Aeromexico passenger jets. File photo.
This Monday, July 21, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that there are no valid reasons for the United States to impose sanctions or reject flight requests from Mexican airlines. This statement follows warnings from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) last Saturday.
Tensions arose due to the air traffic of cargo operations being moved from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), which opened in 2022.
Sheinbaum emphasized that the decision, made by aviation authorities in 2022, was based on safety reasons and the need to alleviate congestion at the AICM, a persistent problem since 2014.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that Mexico forced airlines to move to AIFA, giving Mexican airlines an “unfair advantage.” However, Sheinbaum clarified that the companies transferred to the AIFA are exclusively cargo transportation companies, and that the decision was made after a technical study.
President Sheinbaum noted that, although they have not received formal notification from the United States, they hope to address it once it arrives. She recalled that the process for transferring cargo to the AIFA was communicated to companies, with DHL being one of the first to adapt. Although some US companies initially complained about the short notice, most found the measure beneficial.
Sheinbaum emphasized that working groups are in place with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT), Defense (the operator of AIFA), and Navy (the operator of AICM) to resolve any concerns from companies. “There is no basis for this being anything against any US airline,” she added.
(Telesur)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SF
