MEXICO CITY, July 22, (Xinhua): Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday defended her government's decision to relocate air cargo operations from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to the newer Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA), rejecting US accusations that the move violated a bilateral aviation agreement. Speaking at her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said the decision was based on technical and safety considerations aimed at reducing congestion at AICM.

"There is no reason for any kind of sanction," she said, adding that AIFA is functioning well and handling cargo efficiently. "We're strengthening customs and fiscal facilities to make operations even smoother." Her comments follow a warning from the Trump administration over the weekend, which alleged that Mexico had unilaterally forced US cargo carriers to move to AIFA in breach of a 2022 bilateral aviation agreement, reportedly causing significant financial losses to US firms.

In response, Washington is weighing retaliatory measures, including denying new flight applications from Mexican airlines, requiring prior approval for flight schedules, and revoking antitrust immunity for the Delta-Aeromexico alliance. Sheinbaum noted that while some U.S. companies initially complained about the short transition period, most later acknowledged the benefits of operating outside the congested capital. "It's been over a year now, and the companies have adapted," said Sheinbaum. "There's no valid reason for sanctions over this issue."