© Reuters. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg listens as US President Joe Biden speaks about the airline industry and consumer protection from the South Court Auditorium on the grounds of the White House in Washington, US, on 8 May 2023. REUTERS/Leah Milis/File
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg met with his Mexican counterpart on Monday to discuss a series of sticking points related to Mexico’s aviation industry.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has exercised increasing control over the industry and handed over civil aviation functions to the armed forces, causing friction between the two countries.
Buttigieg and Mexican Transportation Minister Jorge Nuño discussed Mexico’s plan to maintain a recently regained U.S. air safety rating, returned to Mexico in September after spending more than two years with a lower rating, the Ministry of Transportation said. Transportation of Mexico.
Aviation analysts have said several issues, including a legal challenge to a major overhaul of Mexico’s aviation law, could jeopardize the recovery.
The two also discussed moving Mexico’s cargo flights from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to the military-run Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), which opened last year and is located further from the capital. .
The US government had previously expressed concern about the move (which as a result appeared to put on hold an alliance between US airline Allegiant and Mexico’s VivaAerobus) and had met with cargo carriers to hear their concerns.
Buttigieg and Nuno also discussed strategies to reduce flight congestion at the AICM, the country’s busiest, the ministry said. López Obrador has urged commercial airlines to transfer flights from AICM to AIFA.
Government-ordered flight cuts at the AICM will take effect in January, cutting slots from 52 per hour to 43 per hour despite protests from airlines.
