McAllen Urges US DOT to Reinstate Aeroméxico Route to AIFA

The city of McAllen, Texas, has formally requested that the US Department of Transportation (DOT) reverse its decision to revoke Aeroméxico’s flight authorization between McAllen International Airport and Mexico’s Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA).

In a letter dated Oct. 31 and addressed to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos, Deputy Mayor Víctor Haddad, City Manager Isaac Tawil, and several city commissioners warned that the suspension of the route would harm cross-border trade, regional connectivity, and local economic growth in the Rio Grande Valley.

“The suspension of this service affects families, businesses, and institutions on both sides of the border,” reads the letter. “We recognize your commitment to fostering a fair air market for US airlines. However, we ask that such efforts focus on markets where competition exists or is expected. In McAllen’s case, no US airline competes — or has shown interest in competing — with Aeroméxico’s route.”

The DOT announced last week the cancellation of 13 routes operated by Mexican carriers, including McAllen-AIFA, citing that the Mexican government’s reduction of flight slots at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and the transfer of cargo operations to AIFA had negatively impacted US airlines.

McAllen officials say that their city’s relationship with Mexico is not only geographical but also economic and cultural. The letter described the Aeroméxico route as “a lifeline” that supports both personal and commercial links between the two countries.

According to city data, McAllen’s airport activity generates about US$1.2 billion in annual economic output, supporting 8,419 direct jobs and US$356 million in payroll.

City representatives argue that maintaining the route is critical for sustaining regional growth and binational collaboration. “Canceling this connection does not promote competitive fairness,” reads the letter, “it weakens essential connectivity for our region.”

Aeroméxico has until Nov. 7 to continue operating the service while the DOT reviews the request.