The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) recently welcomed U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff as part of the Biden Administration’s “Investing in America” tour. However, absent from their discussion was the potential impact of a recent tentative decision from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that would affect a crucial flight serving the Twin Cities, and thereby disproportionately affect the Latino community here in Minnesota.
The DOT has proposed a tentative termination of the Joint Cooperation Agreement (JCA) between Delta and Aeromexico, putting the airlines’ partnership in jeopardy. Terminating the JCA would put almost two dozen air routes between the United States and Mexico at risk, including one that operates out of MSP, as well as thousands of jobs.
Over time, we have built Minneapolis as a realization of the American dream by addressing challenges to ensure the well-being of all its citizens. Continuing to drive economic growth and improve quality of life means thwarting harmful proposals like this that directly impact members of the Latino community. Terminating the JCA between Delta and Aeromexico could have significant consequences for Latinos and businesses in Minneapolis that would reverberate across the state.
Looking back, the JCA has improved connectivity between Mexico and the United States since its establishment in 2016. More than 350,000 passengers relied on the Delta-Aeromexico flight route connecting MSP and Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) in 2023. If approval of the JCA is terminated, this vital route, which serves as a lifeline for many Latino families, is at risk of being canceled.
The flight made possible by this strategic partnership has had many positive effects, including increased market competition and more affordable airfare. Businesses depend on reliable transportation between the two countries to support trade partnerships and operations. In Minnesota specifically, trade with Mexico totaled $5.4 billion in 2021 and supports more than 90,000 jobs. Losing access to this route could impact the businesses that use it to support their operations. Thousands of U.S. jobs would be at risk if the DOT does not renew approval of the JCA.
Further, Minnesota has a fast-growing Latino population, with more than 300,000 residents who identify as Latino. Of that group, 66% are of Mexican descent. Many of our state’s Mexican and Latino residents rely on easy access between Minnesota and Mexico to visit family and friends and stay connected to their heritage. It is no question they would likely feel the economic and familial effects of this tentative decision.
I am from Mexico City; my family is from Mexico City. Due to immigration challenges, I had been living in Minnesota for 20 years without the ability to visit my family and my home country. When I finally obtained my green card, I used this potentially discontinued route to reunite with my family. This route is incredibly personal to me and many members of the Mexican American community here in Minnesota.
The DOT’s proposal is in response to unrelated concerns regarding Mexico’s aviation policy. While the need to ensure that the Mexican government honors our countries’ air-services agreement is understandable, ending the important partnership between Delta and Aeromexico is not the way to reach a solution.
The best way to support our cities is through smart policies that boost our economy and support the people who live in them. The termination of the JCA would do the opposite. Should the DOT finalize its proposed decision, Minnesotans, and especially Latinos, would be unfairly punished for a diplomatic dispute they have no part in. So, while the Biden administration continues to tout new investments in infrastructure and transportation, the DOT must make regulatory decisions that help, not harm, Minnesotans and our Latino community.
Emilia Gonzalez Avalos is the executive director of Unidos MN, a grassroots organization that works to advance social, racial and economic justice for working families.
