AIFA Faces Setback After US Revokes 13 Mexico–US Routes

The US government’s suspension of 13 current and planned routes between Mexico and the United States directly affects Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) — a flagship project for the administrations of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and current President Claudia Sheinbaum. The order cancels all passenger and cargo services between the US and AIFA and restricts flight expansion at Mexico City International Airport (AICM).

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) said the decision stems from Mexico’s alleged breach of the 2015 Bilateral Air Transport Agreement. “Mexico claimed its measures were temporary to allow infrastructure construction to ease congestion at Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM). Three years later, this has not materialized. Mexico has failed to keep its promise, disrupted the market, and generated multimillion-dollar costs for US companies,” the department stated.

AIFA, located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, handled 6.3 million passengers in 2024, while AICM served over 40 million. The ban complicates AIFA’s plans to expand internationally. Viva is among the most affected carriers, having scheduled new routes to Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Miami, and New York. “The unilateral decision and its short notice will impact thousands of American and Mexican passengers during the holiday season,” the airline said in a statement.

The new restrictions follow a series of disputes between the two countries. In September, Washington ordered the termination of the Aeroméxico–Delta alliance, arguing it limited competition; both companies challenged the measure in court. The DOT cited “persistent uncertainty and lack of transparency in slot allocation,” noting this creates “an unstable competitive situation.” It said the ban could be lifted if Mexico complies with the 2015 agreement.

President Claudia Sheinbaum defended Mexico’s aviation policy, rejecting Washington’s claims: “We do not agree with this decision. Mexico is no one’s punching bag; Mexico must be respected,” she said at a press conference.

Experts suggest the measure targets Mexico’s aviation development strategy. Rogelio Rodríguez, aviation law specialist, UNAM, told El País. “The greatest impact is on the government’s aviation project, AIFA. The United States is striking at the heart of what most affects Mexico, aiming to halt AIFA’s growth through a politically motivated, rather than technical, measure.” Analyst Fernando Gómez added that the canceled routes “have become a bargaining chip in broader disputes over security, migration, and trade,” also allowing US airlines to cover the canceled Mexican routes.

AIFA, inaugurated in March 2022 with an investment of MX$75 billion (US$4.2 billion), was projected to handle up to 20 million passengers in its initial phase and reach full capacity by 2050 with more than 85 million passengers and 3 million tons of cargo annually. The new US measures put these goals in question.

In September, Isidoro Pastor Román, AIFA’s general director, told A21 that the airport planned to double its international routes by the end of 2025, expanding from eight to 16. The new routes—including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Miami, and Orlando—were to be operated by Viva starting in November but were revoked by the DOT. Viva had also planned a route to Austin, but Pastor Román excluded it since Aeroméxico already operated flights there and to McAllen, Texas. Both Aeroméxico routes, along with Viva’s planned services, were canceled, though existing flights may continue until November 7.

As a result, AIFA will retain only six international routes instead of 16: Havana, Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Bogota, Caracas, and Sofia. Pastor Román said the airport is seeking partners to expand to Europe and Asia by mid-2026. For now, AIFA has just 30% of the international routes it expected by year-end, slowing its goal of becoming a competitive regional hub.