Aeromexico is considering launching service to Washington Dulles, which last month became the newest US gateway for rival Mexicana.

Aeromexico earlier this week submitted an application with the US Department of Transportation for permission to launch a daily Boeing 737-700 service from Mexico City to Washington Dulles. In the application the carrier stated it already has approval from Mexican authorities to operate the route, and last month it received designation under the US-Mexico bilateral to serve Dulles from Mexico City.

Mexico City-Washington is currently only served on a nonstop basis by United Airlines, which according to Innovata operates one daily flight on the route using Airbus A319s. In December, Mexicana launched daily service on the Mexico City-Cancun-Washington Dulles route using A319s.

Aeromexico and Mexicana are arch rivals and in recent years the two have started offering competing services to several North American destinations. Historically the carriers have had complementary rather than overlapping international route networks.

An Aeromexico spokesman confirms the SkyTeam carrier has applied for the Mexico City-Washington Dulles route, but he says there is no consideration yet of a start date.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news