Press Releases

Representative Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) led a call with 14 other Hispanic members of the U.S. House of Representatives today urging the Biden Administration to reverse course on a proposal that could significantly reduce air service between the United States and Mexico.

In January, the U.S. Department of Transportation proposed canceling the Joint Cooperation Agreement (JCA) between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico, Mexico’s flagship airline.

Rep. Carbajal and the other lawmakers, in a letter sent today to U.S Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, raise concerns that canceling the JCA could cost the U.S. economy thousands of jobs, raise prices for the millions of families who travel between Mexico and the U.S., and cause significant economic harm in communities across the United States.

“Communities across the United States and many of our constituents rely on the air service created by this partnership,” the lawmakers wrote. “Thousands of U.S. jobs will be jeopardized if international access is lost, and reduced competition will burden those traveling for both business and pleasure with more expensive airfares and less service. Cities and communities across America, with Hispanic and Latino populations in particular, will be negatively impacted.”

The lawmakers also urge Secretary Buttigieg to explore alternative options to address its policy objectives, rather than taking a step that would harm both families and businesses in their districts.

“We understand that the proposal to terminate the JCA between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico is unrelated to the partnership itself,” the lawmakers wrote. “We respectfully request that the Administration not terminate its approval of the JCA and address its policy objectives with Mexico through direct consultation and other regulatory options if necessary.”

The letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.), Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Jesús 'Chuy' García (D-Ill.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Tex.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Tex.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), Norma Torres (D-Calif), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.).

The full letter can be found here and below:

Dear Secretary Buttigieg:

We are writing to urge the Department not to reduce air service between the United States and Mexico. As you know, on January 26, 2024, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed terminating approval of the Joint Cooperation Agreement (JCA) between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico, Mexico’s flagship airline. We are writing to express our significant concern regarding this proposal, particularly the negative economic impact this action will have in the United States.

The DOT originally approved this strategic partnership between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico in 2016. Since then, it has created and supported thousands of jobs in the U.S. and Mexico, while facilitating a substantial increase in air service and consumer choice for travelers. Since the JCA’s approval, 45 million travelers have benefitted from the strategic partnership.

As of early 2023, Mexico solidified itself as the U.S.’ top trading partner. Trade between our two countries exceeded $860 billion the prior year. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020, continues to support cross-border business activity and robust economic growth in both countries. U.S. exports alone support more than one million jobs.

Many of America’s top companies have significant operations in Mexico, including Walmart, Coca-Cola, Ford, General Motors, Exxon-Mobile, IBM and Microsoft. Business leaders from companies large and small depend on the air routes provided by the JCA to support, supply, and grow their businesses.

More importantly, communities across the United States and many of our constituents rely on the air service created by this partnership. DOT’s proposal, which could cancel almost two dozen air routes between the U.S. and Mexico and cut capacity by 30% on an additional 10 flights, will have devastating consequences for the economy, consumers, and communities that rely on these routes. Thousands of U.S. jobs will be jeopardized if international access is lost, and reduced competition will burden those traveling for both business and pleasure with more expensive airfares and less service. Cities and communities across America, with Hispanic and Latino populations in particular, will be negatively impacted.

We understand that the proposal to terminate the JCA between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico is unrelated to the partnership itself. It stems from changes to Mexican aviation policy, including the movement of cargo operators from Mexico City Airport and the reduction in airport take-off and landing slots.

We respectfully request that the Administration not terminate its approval of the JCA and address its policy objectives with Mexico through direct consultation and other regulatory options if necessary.

Thank you for your consideration of our views.