Mexicana Fails US Certification, Drops World Cup Charters

Mexicana de Aviación will not operate charter flights between Mexico and the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after failing to complete the certification process required by US authorities before the start of the tournament, limiting the state-owned carrier’s ability to participate in one of the largest expected spikes in cross-border travel demand next year.

The airline had sought authorization from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate international charter services for passengers, cargo and mail between any point in Mexico and the United States during the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across Mexico, the United States and Canada. The plan aimed to strengthen connectivity between host cities and capture demand from fans, sponsors, media groups, logistics operators and team delegations.

Speaking at Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), CEO Leobardo Ávila Bojórquez confirmed the regulatory process in the United States remains incomplete.

“We continue working with them. We understand that a certification process has its timelines. Under the current circumstances, we will not be able to offer this service, but we are looking at it as a future opportunity while complying with all the regulations required by US authorities so that we can operate safely in that country,” Ávila said.

The outcome represents a setback for Mexicana’s international expansion strategy. Since its relaunch under Mexico’s Defense Ministry, the carrier has concentrated on domestic operations from AIFA. Approval of the charter request would have marked its first meaningful entry into the US market at scale.

In March, the DOT confirmed that Mexicana was seeking authority to provide “international air transportation of passengers under charter operations” between the two countries. The airline planned to deploy five Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, alongside Boeing 737-800 jets, on routes connecting Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey with US destinations including Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and New York.

According to the filing, initial logistics operations were expected to begin in May 2026. Proposed routes included AIFA–Dallas, AIFA–Houston and AIFA–New York; Monterrey–Los Angeles; and Guadalajara–Miami, with frequencies adjusted based on demand and airport slot availability.

Mexicana said the authorization would expand “air transportation options between Mexico and the United States, fostering competition and generating significant public benefits,” adding that it was “fit, willing and able” to comply with all applicable US regulatory requirements.

Ávila dismissed suggestions that the delay was linked to sanctions imposed on Mexican aviation by the United States in 2025.

“No, it did not have an impact. The Department of Transportation is clear regarding the international regulations we must comply with, particularly those established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As part of our commitment, Mexicana must complete that process,” he said.

The certification delay comes amid broader aviation tensions between Mexico and the United States. In October 2025, US authorities revoked 13 route authorizations held by Mexican airlines, citing alleged violations of bilateral aviation agreements. Mexican carriers later returned six takeoff and landing slots at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to US airlines as part of ongoing negotiations.

Current restrictions limit Mexican airlines from adding new US routes or increasing frequencies from AICM and AIFA. The dispute is partly linked to Mexico’s decision to relocate dedicated cargo operations from AICM to AIFA, a move challenged by US authorities under the bilateral air transport framework.

Despite missing out on World Cup charter operations, Mexicana is expanding domestic capacity across tournament host cities.

“We strengthened our frequency network in the host cities. We now have two daily flights to Guadalajara and two daily flights to Monterrey. We are working to meet the demand that will begin on June 11,” Ávila said.

The airline currently operates 637 monthly flights and plans to maintain that level throughout the World Cup period. Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey are expected to concentrate the bulk of domestic travel demand linked to the tournament.

Meanwhile, broader Mexico–US air traffic shows signs of moderation. Data from Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) shows cross-border passenger traffic reached 32.8 million between January and October 2025, down 81,000 year on year. However, flight operations rose 4% to 251,793 services.