U.S. Ban on Mexican Flights Threatens Key Air Cargo Capacity
The Airforwarders Association (AfA) warns that the U.S. government's decision to cancel 13 flight routes operated by Mexican airlines will significantly reduce air cargo capacity and disrupt vital supply chains between the United States and Mexico.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that several Mexican carriers will no longer be allowed to operate passenger flights into the U.S., removing important belly-hold cargo space from the market.
According to the Department of Transportation, the combined air freight value between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada reached $6.1 billion in July 2025, a 22.9% increase compared to July 2024. This surge underscores the growing role of air cargo in cross-border trade.
“The loss of these flights won’t just affect passengers; it pulls critical cargo capacity out of the market,” said Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association. “Forwarders depend on belly capacity to move everything from critical spare parts to fresh produce and medical supplies. Taking that away will strain supply chains that are already operating at tight margins.”
Fried called on policymakers to seek solutions that maintain freight connectivity, urging dialogue and cooperation instead of imposing capacity restrictions.
Summary: The U.S. ban on Mexican passenger flights risks disrupting essential air cargo flow, threatening the efficiency of cross-border supply chains critical to North American trade.