Mexico has defended its decision to move cargo operations to Felipe Angeles International Airport (AFIA) and claimed the airport is running smoothly, following a decison by the US to place restrictions on Mexico's air cargo and passenger operations.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) said this week that it had decided to put flight restrictions on Mexico because the country had not been in compliance with the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement since carriers were required to shiift cargo operations from Benito Juarez International Airport, known as Mexico City International Airport (MEX), to AFIA.
However, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo stressed the efficiency of cargo operations during a press conference on 21 July, a summary of which was published on the Government of Mexico's president website.
Sheinbaum Pardo also said that "Mexico has not received notification from the U.S. authorities regarding measures against our country's airlines, so until then the matter will be analyzed".
Sheinbaum Pardo pointed out that AFIA had always been designated for cargo handling, while flights needed to be reduced at MEX to reduce congestion.
The president further stated that the companies operating at AFIA have adapted to the airport "and have customs infrastructure to comply with the regulations in the shipment and reception of cargo with other countries, so it was beneficial for everyone".
She added: "So, there is no reason to have any sanction that has to do with this matter. What was privileged? Security, and we already heard last week that the airport [AIFA] is doing very well and that this December it receives new international flights. It's working very well and so is the load."
Cargo operations were moved from MEX to AFIA to reduce congestion, but the US DOT said the action served to disrupt the market.
Mexican airlines will now be required to file schedules with the Department for all their U.S. operations, said a US DOT release on 19 July.
Carriers will also require prior DOT approval before operating any large passenger or cargo aircraft charter flights to or from the US.
The US DOT said it reserves the right to disapprove flight requests from Mexico should the country fail to take corrective action.
