US lifts curbs on Mexican airlines’ US routes

The U.S. Department of Transportation has lifted restrictions that blocked Mexican airlines from adding U.S. routes from Mexico City’s Benito Juárez and Felipe Ángeles airports, following Mexico’s commitments to address Washington’s concerns under a bilateral air-transport agreement. The move could give carriers including Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus greater scope to expand service and offer passengers more nonstop options, though no new routes or launch dates were announced. Mexican airlines still face U.S. schedule-filing and operating-approval requirements, and Washington says it will monitor Mexico’s compliance while other measures remain in place. The decision concerns market access and airport operations, and is separate from Mexico’s aviation safety rating.