U.S., Mexico Sign New Aviation Agreement
"Under the old agreement, only a limited number of U.S. carriers could operate between any given city pair. Now, that number is unlimited. Carriers will have new opportunities to serve any location in Mexico from any location in the U.S., opening up new routes for travelers. And increased carrier competition will greatly benefit Mexican and American tourists and business travelers by offering them more options, better service, and lower prices," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx reported.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Mexico Secretary of Communications and Transport Ruiz Esparza signed a new air transport agreement on Dec. 18, with Foxx writing on DOT's Fast Lane blog that it resulted from more than two years of negotiations.
"This landmark agreement, a key element of the U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue, eliminates government interference in commercial airline decisions, providing open, unlimited routes between the United States and Mexico. It also expands opportunities for cargo flights between the U.S. and Mexico and strengthens our commitments to aviation safety and security," he wrote. "Now, why did we do this? First, it strengthens and expands the U.S. and Mexico’s strong tourism and business links, benefiting travelers from both countries. Under the old agreement, only a limited number of U.S. carriers could operate between any given city pair. Now, that number is unlimited. Carriers will have new opportunities to serve any location in Mexico from any location in the U.S., opening up new routes for travelers. And increased carrier competition will greatly benefit Mexican and American tourists and business travelers by offering them more options, better service, and lower prices. Second, this new agreement will bolster the already strong U.S.-Mexican trade relationship. It provides new rights to all-cargo carriers, allowing them to expand their worldwide networks, establish new routes, and provide faster services at better rates for businesses and shippers. These new routes will also create new opportunities to expand the U.S.-Mexico cargo market, benefiting businesses and economies on both sides of the border.
So this is a great day in U.S.-Mexican relations and for continued prosperity in both of our nations."
Foxx explained that Assistant DOT Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Susan Kurland and the U.S. government negotiating team, with representatives from the Departments of Transportation, State, and Commerce, deserve credit for helping to negotiate the agreement, which the two countries will work to implement next year.