Mexicana Seeks US Approval for World Cup Charter Flights

Mexicana de Aviación has applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for a foreign air carrier permit to operate cross-border charter flights between Mexico and the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The request, filed March 3, seeks authorization to conduct international charter transportation of passengers, cargo and mail between any point in Mexico and any point in the United States. The move targets anticipated demand growth linked to the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 across Mexico, the United States and Canada.

The state-owned airline, managed by Mexico’s Defense Ministry, is positioning itself to capture event-driven passenger and logistics flows associated with the tournament. Host cities in Mexico include Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, while US host markets such as Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles are expected to experience peak travel volumes. Industry observers anticipate capacity constraints on cross-border routes during the competition, particularly for team delegations, sponsors, media organizations and organized fan groups.

Since its relaunch, Mexicana has focused primarily on domestic connectivity from Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Ángeles (AIFA). Entry into the US charter segment would mark its first large-scale international expansion, while also diversifying revenue streams beyond scheduled domestic routes. The application outlines a point-to-point operating model tailored to tournament demand, signaling a structured deployment of aircraft aligned with event traffic peaks.

The airline proposes linking Mexican host cities—Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey—with US hubs including Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Miami. A preliminary “Logistics Phase” would begin in May 2026, with services from AIFA to Dallas, Houston and New York; Monterrey to Los Angeles; and Guadalajara to Miami. Frequencies would range from daily to weekend-based operations, depending on demand patterns and slot availability.

Mexicana plans to operate the charter program using Boeing 737-800 and Embraer E195-E2 aircraft from its current fleet. In its filing, the company stated that the requested authority would enable it to offer “additional air transportation options between Mexico and the United States, fostering competition and generating significant public benefits.” The airline also affirmed that it is “fit, willing and able” to comply with US statutory and regulatory requirements, underscoring regulatory preparedness as a key component of the application.

US industry analysts consider approval likely, citing Mexico’s Category 1 aviation safety rating from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which was reinstated in 2023. Category 1 status confirms compliance with international safety oversight standards and allows Mexican carriers to add new US services. Bilateral market access is governed by the 2015 US–Mexico Air Transport Agreement, which generally supports reciprocal operations under an Open Skies framework.

Bilateral Tensions and Market Constraints

The application comes amid ongoing negotiations between the two governments over aviation policy disputes. In October 2025, US authorities revoked 13 Mexican airline route authorizations, citing alleged violations of the bilateral agreement. Mexico’s Infrastructure Secretary, Jesús Esteva, said discussions aim to resolve the dispute before the World Cup kickoff. As part of the negotiations, Mexican airlines returned six takeoff and landing slots at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to US carriers in late 2025.

Current US restrictions prevent Mexican airlines from adding new routes or increasing frequencies from AICM and AIFA to US destinations. The dispute centers partly on Mexico’s decision to prohibit dedicated cargo operations at AICM and relocate them to AIFA, a measure US officials argue is inconsistent with the bilateral agreement. Mexican authorities maintain that restoring operating flexibility is necessary to accommodate expected World Cup–related traffic flows.

Aeroméxico has warned that prolonged restrictions could constrain its growth strategy. CEO Andrés Conesa said continued limits on flights from Mexico City’s primary airports would pose operational challenges. While negotiations continue, Aeroméxico is diversifying internationally, launching new routes from Monterrey to Paris and from Mexico City to Barcelona, Quito and Tegucigalpa to reduce reliance on transborder markets.

Demand Trends and Event-Driven Outlook

Cross-border demand between Mexico and the United States softened in 2025, according to Mexico’s civil aviation authority. Between January and October, traffic totaled 32.8 million passengers, representing a decline of 81,000 travelers year over year. Despite the marginal drop in passenger volume, flight operations increased 4% to 251,793 services, indicating lower load factors across the market. Analysts attribute the shift to uncertainty surrounding US migration policy and slower remittance growth.

Load factors declined by approximately 10%, reflecting weaker demand even as airlines maintained or expanded frequencies on established routes. Traffic fell 15% on the Chicago–Cancun route and 8.6% on Los Angeles–Guadalajara. Dallas–Cancun and Mexico City–Houston each declined 5%, while Cancun–Atlanta fell 2% and Houston–Cancun 0.4%. Shorter booking windows and more cautious consumer behavior further affected yields, although higher fares and fleet adjustments partially offset weaker occupancy rates.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to reverse part of this moderation by stimulating inbound tourism, corporate travel and connecting traffic across North America. Global attendance could reach 5.5 million, generating an estimated US$40.9 billion in economic impact and 824,000 jobs, according to international projections. Mexico’s government estimates a domestic spillover between US$1.8 billion and US$3 billion, supported by matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, including the opening match at Estadio Azteca.