On October 29, 2025, tensions between Mexico and the United States escalated over a decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to block new flights from Mexico’s Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) to American destinations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, during her daily press conference, made her position unmistakably clear: she "does not agree" with the U.S. move, calling it a "unilateral" action that, in her view, lacks any real foundation.
The roots of this dispute run deep, centering on two primary issues raised by the United States. First, there is a Mexican presidential decree that transferred all dedicated cargo operations from the heavily trafficked Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM) in Mexico City to the newer AIFA. Second, U.S. officials have raised concerns about the distribution of flight slots at AICM, suggesting that the process may not be equitable or transparent.
President Sheinbaum mounted a robust defense of the cargo decree, framing it as a "sovereign decision" made for "civil protection" and "security reasons." According to Sheinbaum, the AICM had become so saturated that it "posed a risk" to passengers and users. "The International Airport of Mexico City was very saturated," she emphasized, making the case that the move was necessary to ensure safety and efficiency.
Contrary to suggestions that the change may have harmed business, Sheinbaum insisted that all dedicated cargo companies—including U.S. firms—that relocated to AIFA are now "happy" with the new arrangement. "They have more space, there is more security... there is not a single complaint from any company," she said. "All are very content with the new operations." Sheinbaum’s remarks painted a picture of a win-win situation for both Mexican and American companies operating in the cargo sector, at least from her administration’s perspective.
But the U.S. DOT’s decision to block new flights has disrupted this narrative. The measure, as Sheinbaum clarified, currently applies only to new flights—one of which was scheduled to commence operations on October 30, 2025. However, she warned that the United States "want[s] to impose other sanctions later," raising the stakes for both countries and hinting at a potentially broader impact on bilateral air travel and trade.
In response to the U.S. action, Sheinbaum said she has instructed her foreign minister to reach out to the U.S. Department of State and request a meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. The aim, she explained, is "to review if these actions... have any foundation." Sheinbaum also speculated on possible motives behind the U.S. decision, telling reporters, "Let's hope it's not... that there is an interest of another type." Pressed for specifics, she elaborated: "Well, it could be a political interest, it could be an interest in supporting some companies over others, even U.S. ones."
To address U.S. claims that the cargo decree violates competition, Sheinbaum has asked Andrea Marván of Mexico’s National Antimonopoly Commission to analyze whether competition is truly being affected. Her administration maintains that there is no basis for such allegations and that the decree was enacted in the best interest of civil protection and market fairness.
Throughout her remarks, Sheinbaum adopted a firm diplomatic tone, underscoring Mexico’s demand for respect in its dealings with its northern neighbor. "Mexico is not anyone’s piñata. Mexico is respected," she declared, signaling a clear expectation that the U.S. treat Mexico as an equal partner. She also highlighted what she described as a "good understanding" with the U.S. administration, referencing a "very good" call with President Trump on October 25, 2025, which resulted in the cancellation of planned tariffs. This anecdote served as a reminder that diplomatic channels remain open, even amid moments of tension.
The implications of these trade and transportation disputes are not confined to high-level diplomatic circles. On the ground, the economic consequences are being felt acutely by Mexican businesses and workers. According to Bloomberg, Luis García, CEO of Empaque MexFrut, an avocado packing company near Morelia in central Mexico, described how U.S. trade war announcements have repeatedly disrupted his business. "US buyers are always on edge," García said. "Every time Trump says he is going to impose or increase tariffs, which has already happened about six times, sales come to a standstill." These stoppages, which have lasted one to two weeks at a time, have left some employees unpaid and put the livelihoods of many at risk.
García’s experience is emblematic of the broader economic uncertainty that hovers over Mexico’s export sector. The trade war has led to about six separate tariff impositions or increases by the U.S., each time causing significant disruptions to Mexican exports like avocados. The ripple effects have been felt throughout the supply chain, from orchard workers to exporters and beyond. In the heart of Mexico’s avocado belt, the fate of local economies is closely tied to the decisions being made in Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, the industrial sector in central Mexico continues to develop, as illustrated by the image of a worker using machinery at the Andritz SA hydroelectric turbine factory in Morelia—a development hub for the region. This juxtaposition of growth and uncertainty captures the complex dynamics at play: while some sectors are forging ahead, others remain vulnerable to the shifting winds of international trade policy.
Looking ahead, President Sheinbaum is scheduled to meet with representatives from major Mexican airlines—Aeroméxico, Viva, and Volaris—on October 31, 2025, to discuss their perspectives on the U.S. measure and to chart a path forward. "What we want is respect," Sheinbaum concluded, "and that, in any case, we jointly analyze if... what they say has any foundation." Her administration’s approach, at least for now, is to seek dialogue and joint analysis, rather than immediate escalation.
For many in both countries, the hope is that cooler heads will prevail and that the U.S. and Mexico can find a way to resolve their differences without further disruption to trade, travel, or diplomatic relations. The stakes are high—not just for government officials, but for business owners like García, airline executives, and workers across both sides of the border who depend on a stable and predictable relationship between these two neighbors.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the outcome of the upcoming meetings and diplomatic exchanges. The decisions made in the coming days and weeks could have lasting consequences for the flow of goods, people, and goodwill across the U.S.-Mexico border.