Business · Trade · 7 hrs ago
Mexico to allow US cargo flights at Mexico City airport
Mexico has agreed to let US cargo airlines operate at Mexico City’s main airport, known as AICM.
The agreement allows US airlines to seek landing and takeoff slots for cargo flights there.
A previous government had moved dedicated cargo flights from AICM to Felipe Ángeles airport, citing congestion at AICM.
That change applied to domestic and foreign cargo airlines.
The US lifted restrictions on AICM and Felipe Ángeles, which had blocked new routes by Mexican airlines to the United States.
The change could restore access to AICM for US cargo carriers while lifting a barrier to Mexican airlines’ route expansion.
The agreement gives US cargo airlines the option to apply for slots, but the announcement does not say when flights will begin.
Mexico has agreed to let US cargo airlines operate dedicated freight flights at Mexico City International Airport, according to the US Department of Transportation.
The Mexican government committed to offering US cargo airlines landing and takeoff slots at the airport.
The change reverses a ban on dedicated cargo flights imposed under former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
The US Department of Transportation said it lifted restrictions affecting Mexico City International Airport and Felipe Ángeles International Airport.
- Who
- The Mexican government and US cargo airlines.
- What
- Mexico agreed to allow US airlines to operate dedicated cargo flights at Mexico City International Airport and to offer them airport slots.
- When
- The US Department of Transportation document was issued on Friday; the article was published on October 17, 2026.
- Where
- Mexico City International Airport, also known as AICM or MEX.
- Why
- The agreement was part of negotiations with the United States and led the US Department of Transportation to lift restrictions affecting the two airports.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The government issued decrees banning dedicated cargo flights at Mexico City International Airport.
Cargo airlines, both domestic and international, had to move their operations to Felipe Ángeles International Airport.
The US Department of Transportation imposed restrictions affecting Mexico City International Airport and Felipe Ángeles International Airport.
Mexico committed to offering US cargo airlines slots for freight operations at Mexico City International Airport, and the US Department of Transportation lifted the restrictions.
- Airport
- Mexico City International Airport (AICM/MEX)
- US agency
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Other affected airport
- Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA)
- Permitted operations
- Dedicated cargo flights by US airlines
- Slots
- Mexico committed to offering US cargo airlines landing and takeoff slots
What people are saying
Además, la SICT ha afirmado que las aerolíneas estadounidenses pueden optar a la asignación de franjas horarias (slots) para operaciones de carga en el aeropuerto MEX (AICM)