McAllen pushes to save Mexico City flight, citing economic and trade fallout

The City of McAllen is mounting an effort to preserve its direct air connection to Mexico City after the U.S. Department of Transportation ordered the cancellation of 13 Mexican-carrier routes to the United States — including Aeroméxico’s flight between McAllen and Mexico City’s Felipe Ángeles International Airport.

City Manager Isaac J. Tawil said McAllen is working closely with federal congressional leaders to safeguard a route he called “a vital economic artery that supports commerce, tourism, and family connections across our binational region.”

“This route has been a strong performer for McAllen and the entire Rio Grande Valley,” Tawil said. “We recognize the importance of protecting the livelihoods of our constituents and the economic momentum we’ve built together.”

McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos described the federal government’s decision as a setback for the city’s cross-border economy.

“A ban on flights to Mexico strikes at the heart of our binational economy, our families, and our cultural ties,” he said.

McAllen officials said they are in active talks with U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, and U.S. Reps. Monica De La Cruz, Vicente Gonzalez, and Henry Cuellar to ensure border communities are considered as the federal government enforces the 2015 U.S.–Mexico Air Transport Agreement. 

The city urged both governments to move quickly toward a resolution.

“We’re grateful for the leadership and responsiveness of our congressional delegation,” Tawil added. “Their partnership is essential to ensuring McAllen’s continued growth and prosperity.”

Binational, business impact

The flight has provided McAllen-Miller International Airport’s only nonstop connection to Mexico’s capital — a link that local business leaders say is central to cross-border investment and mobility.

Teclo Garcia, CEO of the Mission Economic Development Corporation and a board member of the Border Trade Alliance, said the route is tied directly to ongoing economic development projects in the Valley.

“We completely understand the dynamic bilateral relationship that currently exists between Mexico and the U.S.,” Garcia said. “We urge both governments to keep the channels of communication open, not make rash decisions, and err on the side of trade while dialogue continues. This flight is vital to trade and investment in the RGV and keeps in place a direct connection to Latin America’s most important business center.”

Local business and tourism operators expressed similar concerns.

Omar Guevara, a businessman and longtime McAllen hotel executive, said inbound travel from Mexico is essential to the region’s service economy.

“This will impact our region in a very negative way,” he said. “We depend on inbound travel from Mexico. More revenues and sales tax lost for our communities.”

Luis Humberto Cantú Ochoa, partner at LPS International Law Firm and secretary of the Border Trade Alliance (Mexico), said he is already feeling the loss.

“As a citizen, it definitely affects me,” Cantú Ochoa said. “I usually travel to Mexico City once a month and took the McAllen–AIFA flight because it was very convenient. In one day, I could fly in and out for a single meeting.”

Cantú Ochoa said the measure reflects broader tensions in U.S.–Mexico aviation policy but believes it remains open to negotiation.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” he said. “Since Mexico required cargo carriers to move operations to Felipe Ángeles, the U.S. warned there would be consequences. I see this as part of that response — not a reprisal, but diplomatic pressure to restore balance. I hope Mexico responds in the best interest of the country and of binational tourism.”

Joaquín Zamora, a McAllen city commissioner, said Aeroméxico’s McAllen route has maintained steady demand despite being a relatively new service.

“An E190 aircraft has 99 seats,” Zamora said. “Aeroméxico has had no less than a 53 percent load factor and averages closer to 63 percent, with a high of 67 percent.”

Diplomatic dialogue continues

The Mexican consulate in McAllen said both governments are still in discussions and that a final resolution is expected next week.

“The only thing we know so far is this disposition from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and it appears negotiations are ongoing,” said Jesús Cano, acting consul of Mexico in McAllen. “A definitive response is expected November 7. That’s all that’s confirmed so far.”

City and business leaders said they remain hopeful that dialogue between Washington and Mexico City will lead to a compromise that protects critical air connectivity without derailing trade or tourism.

Rio Grande Valley Business Journal reporter Anayancy Ulloa contributed to this report.