ATLANTA/MEXICO CITY: June 06, 2017. Delta Cargo and Aeromexico Cargo have signed a sales, operations and marketing agreement to develop the transborder market between the U.S. and Mexico.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the value of U.S.-Mexico freight flows increased 11.3 percent to US$49.1 billion between March 2016 and March 2017 compared to the previous 12-month period.

The value of commodities moved by ocean vessel increased 36.5 percent; by air 22.2 percent; by rail 22.0 percent; pipeline, 8.9 percent; and truck, 6.0 percent.

Trucks carried 69.2 percent of the value of freight to and from Mexico. Rail carried 15.4 percent followed by ocean vessel, 8.3 percent; air, 3.3 percent; and pipeline, 0.6 percent.

The value of U.S. air imports rose 8.2 percent during March 2017 to reach US$652 million while exports increased 33.7 percent to US$980 million, compared to the same period last year.

Delta and Aeromexico said their new agreement would allow customers to work with either carrier to transport cargo across a broad network of flights and joint trucking options via hubs co-located warehouses in Mexico, Boston, New York-JFK, Miami, San Francisco and Chicago, with Orlando and Detroit opening this summer.

"By working together on the cargo side we can really provide a seamless logistics experience in the U.S. and Mexico," said Gareth Joyce, Delta's president-Cargo and senior vice president-Airport Customer Service. "This enables us to bring faster, more reliable and flexible solutions to our customers in the U.S., Mexico, and beyond those borders globally."

(Pictured left to right: Rafael Figueroa, CEO Aeromexico Cargo and Gareth Joyce, president Delta Cargo)

From the U.S. Delta ships turbine parts, medical equipment, auto, perishables and aircraft parts to Mexico, while Aeromexico carries tequila, medical equipment and aircraft/auto parts in the other direction.

"Aeromexico and Delta as partners have the largest, more comprehensive and expanding air cargo network in the U.S.-Mexico market," commented Rafael Figueroa, CEO Aeromexico Cargo. "Now by delivering outstanding quality service and innovative commercial and logistics solutions we will definitely bring extensive value to the industry and to our customers," he continued.