US, Mexico End AIFA Cargo Dispute With New Agreement

The United States and Mexico have reached a bilateral agreement to incorporate Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) into their air transport framework, formally resolving a dispute that has strained cross-border cargo operations since Mexico ordered the relocation of dedicated freight flights from Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM) in 2023. While the agreement provides long-term regulatory certainty for airlines operating between the two countries, it also cements a logistics model that has imposed significant costs on international cargo carriers forced to split operations between airports.

Bilateral Agreement Brings Regulatory Certainty

The agreement, announced jointly by Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT), and the US Department of Transportation (DOT), formally recognizes AIFA as part of the bilateral aviation framework governing cargo operations between both countries.

According to the governments, the updated framework guarantees transparent and equitable access to cargo infrastructure at both AICM and AIFA while expanding operational flexibility and strengthening logistical connectivity between Mexico and the United States.

Although AIFA remains the designated cargo hub, Mexican authorities left open the possibility that future capacity expansions at AICM could allow additional operations. "With the modernization works and capacity increases, the possibility will open up for operations to increase for all airlines, including American ones," the SICT said.

The agreement also establishes a permanent bilateral working group composed of officials from the SICT and the DOT. Beyond monitoring compliance with the accord, the group will serve as a forum for reviewing regulatory issues and incorporating feedback from airlines and other industry participants.

From Diplomatic Dispute to Industry Adjustment

The agreement closes one of the most contentious aviation disputes between the two countries in recent years.

Tensions escalated in 2023 after the Mexican government reduced available slots at AICM and required all dedicated cargo flights to relocate to AIFA as part of its strategy to relieve congestion and strengthen the new airport.

The United States argued that the measures violated the 2015 bilateral air transport agreement. In response, the DOT suspended approvals for several routes requested by Mexican airlines and threatened additional restrictions affecting cross-border cargo operations.

The new accord has been broadly welcomed across the aviation industry. Mexico's National Chamber of Air Transport (CANAERO) stated that the resolution directly assists in "recovering the competitiveness of the domestic industry," attributing the breakthrough to "a constructive process of dialogue between the authorities of both countries."

said the agreement restores confidence and competitiveness in the domestic aviation sector, describing it as the product of sustained dialogue between both governments.

Airlines also viewed the resolution positively. Aeroméxico highlighted the importance of maintaining a stable bilateral aviation relationship, while Volaris and Viva Aerobus said they expect the agreement to facilitate the removal of the remaining US regulatory restrictions affecting their operations. 

Cargo Airlines Continue to Face Higher Costs

Although the diplomatic dispute has largely been resolved, the financial consequences of relocating cargo operations remain. Documents submitted to Mexico's National Commission for Regulatory Improvement (CONAMER) show that several international carriers experienced higher logistics costs after separating passenger and cargo operations.

Avianca estimated that the relocation reduced cargo revenues by nearly 16%, citing longer transportation times, additional warehousing requirements, and more complex handling procedures that increased both operating costs and the risk of cargo damage.

Air France-KLM warned that operating passenger and cargo services from different airports could undermine the long-term viability of its Mexican cargo business. The airline said cargo accounts for roughly half of its revenue in Mexico and argued that the split-airport model increases costs while adding operational complexity for customers.

Other operators reported similar challenges. Turkish Airlines Cargo said the dual-airport system significantly increases logistics costs, while Mexican parcel carrier Estafeta invested more than MX$100 million (US$5.7 million) in new facilities and equipment to relocate its operations to AIFA.

Industry requests for a longer transition period were ultimately rejected, and the relocation became fully effective in 2023 following the opening of DHL's cargo hub at AIFA.

Cargo Market Continues to Expand

Despite the operational challenges, Mexico's air cargo market has continued growing, supported by stronger international trade flows.

According to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), total domestic and international cargo volume reached 507,792.5 metric tons between January and May 2026, an increase of 5.5% from the same period a year earlier.

International cargo remained the sector's principal growth driver, offsetting a modest contraction in domestic shipments. Meanwhile, several regional airports—including Guadalajara, Tijuana, San Luis Potosi, Hermosillo and Cancun—recorded declining cargo volumes.

AIFA continued to consolidate its position as Mexico's largest dedicated cargo airport. In 1Q26, it handled nearly one-third of all air freight entering the country. By May, cumulative cargo throughput had reached 167,262.9 tons, an 11.3% increase from the previous year.

AFAC attributed much of the growth to expanding international trade lanes. Traffic on the Shanghai–AIFA corridor increased 42.3%, while cargo volumes also rose on routes linking Mexico with Madrid, Frankfurt and Memphis.