The US and Mexico have reached an agreement to expand access for passenger and cargo air service between the two countries. The new agreement removes current restrictions on the number of airlines that can provide service on established routes, the US Transportation Department said in a news release.

As a result of the new agreement, certain routes could see new airlines entering the market, and carriers will have more opportunities to provide service to destinations that had not been allowed before.

The deal still falls short of the "Open Skies" partnerships, the US has been striving for since 1992. Under those agreements, governments would have no say in commercial airline decisions on routes, pricing, or capacity.

Cargo airlines will also benefit from the new agreement, with expanded opportunities to provide service to locations currently unavailable under the existing pact.

"Travelers, shippers, airlines, and the economies of both countries will benefit from competitive pricing and more convenient air service," US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said.

The new agreement will become effective in 2016.