Travel to Tourist Destinations Getting Easier Thanks to New U.S., Mexican Aviation Agreement Signed Today

Monday, December 12, 2005, Travel from the United States to many popular Mexican tourist destinations will become easier thanks to a new aviation agreement signed today by the United States and Mexico, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.

“This agreement means tourists in the U.S. and Mexico will have more flights to choose from when planning their next vacation,” said Secretary Mineta. “Travelers in markets covered by this new agreement will enjoy better service as well as the benefits of greater competition.”

Under the new agreement, which was concluded on Sept. 21 in Washington, D.C., three airlines from each country will now be able to fly between any U.S. city and 14 popular Mexican destinations: Acapulco, Cancun, Cozumel, Guadalajara, Huatulco, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Loreto, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Merida, Monterrey, Oaxaca, Puerto Vallarta and San Jose del Cabo. Previously, only two airlines from each country could operate between each U.S. city and those 14 cities in Mexico.

Mineta said the agreement includes good news for air cargo carriers in both countries. The new agreement, for example, allows an unlimited number of scheduled all-cargo carriers to fly between the U.S. and Mexico. Under the old agreement, only five cargo carriers from Mexico and five from the U.S. could operate scheduled service to the other country. The new agreement also increases the number of cargo carriers from each country that can fly between any U.S. city and any Mexican city from one to three.

The new agreement also enhances code sharing opportunities for U.S. and Mexican airlines, opening up new competitive options for travelers between the United States and Mexico. And, the agreement now treats Washington and Baltimore as two separate air markets, meaning that additional airlines can provide service between the Washington/Baltimore area and Mexico.

The agreement was signed today in Mexico by U.S. Department of Transportation Under Secretary Jeffrey Shane and Mexican Secretary of Communications and Transportation Pedro Cerisola y Weber.

Contact Information

Bill Adams

U.S. Department of Transportation

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