US lifts restrictions on new flights from Mexico City's two airports, but Aeroméxico has named no routes yet
The DOT revoked Order 213-2 on 16 October 2026, reopening new US routes from AICM and AIFA. What changed, what it means for Aeroméxico, and what is still unknow
The US Department of Transportation has lifted restrictions that stopped Mexican airlines from opening new US flights from Mexico City's two main airports. The change took effect on 16 October 2026.
What changed
The DOT revoked Order 213-2, which had restricted existing, proposed and future operations of Mexican airlines from AICM (Mexico City International) and AIFA (Felipe Ángeles International, north of the city). The Mexican foreign and transport ministries said the decision reopens the possibility of new routes and more frequencies from both airports to the United States.
Why the order existed
In October 2025 the DOT cancelled some current and planned flights by Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus from the two airports. The DOT said Mexico had been out of compliance with the bilateral aviation agreement since 2022. Mexican reports say the lifting follows agreements between the two countries' aviation authorities.
What it means for Aeroméxico
Reports say the change allows Aeroméxico and other Mexican carriers to resume route and frequency plans. We have not found a route announcement from Aeroméxico that uses the new freedom. Its earlier AIFA services to US cities, reported in 2023 and 2024, are not confirmed as restarting in October 2026.
Any new route would still need permits and slots before an airline can name it. Check the airline's newsroom or the DOT docket before assuming a route is approved.
What we do not know
- Which routes Aeroméxico will open first, and when.
- Whether the lifting applies to every route in the 2025 order, or only some. Accounts differ on this point, so we have not summarised it further.
Sources
- Por Esto: DOT elimina restricciones a vuelos desde AIFA y AICM (16 October 2026)
- Telemundo 51: México anuncia fin de restricciones de EE. UU. a nuevos vuelos desde la capital del país (16 October 2026)
Featured image: Photo: 4300streetcar, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Aeroméxico Boeing 737-8 MAX XA-MFN at Boston, July 2026. Source
