AVIATION: Border Warfare

Mexico is on its way to having as many international air routes as the U.S. has railroads. Since stocky, jut-jawed Maximino Avila Camacho (dollarwise brother of President Manuel) became Minister of Communications in 1941, U.S. air lines have been steadily thrusting into Mexico with direct international services, establishing Mexican operating subsidiaries for local routes.

Last week Aerovias Braniff, S.A., Mexico subsidiary of Braniff Airways Inc., was granted permission by the Mexican Government to establish 3,067 miles of international services. As a Mexican flagline, Aerovias Braniff will operate to Miami and Los Angeles in the U.S., and to Panama via the Central American republics.

Aerovias Braniff’s request for permission to fly into the U.S. will add another problem to the Civil Aeronautics Board’s crowded docket. Under the Good Neighbor policy, the U.S. cannot gracefully block a Mexican company from entering the U.S., if U.S. lines are to enjoy the right to fly into Mexico. But if Tom Braniff’s Aerovias Braniff is allowed to cross the border, other U.S.-controlled Mexican companies may naturally be expected to apply for routes to the U.S. The result might be to create more lines than, potential traffic warrants.