Developing, Implementing Safe Air-Traffic Conditions

Q: Which specific market needs shaped Prior Aero’s value proposition?

A: Prior Aero was launched to take advantage of my 28 years of experience in air traffic control. The company is the first aeronautics consultancy firm created to strengthen the sector and offers support in many areas, including air navigation, safety, efficient flight route planning, fuel efficiency, aeronautical studies and accident investigations. We ensure our employees can problem solve in highly complex situations, generating solutions within the frame of safety. Our target is to have a 100 percent success rate and so far we have triumphed in every case.

Prior Aero has differentiated itself through aeronautics studies that also contribute to the energy industry. We help with the licensing processes that civil aviation authorities require to authorize construction work in the vicinity of aerodromes. Obstacle limitation surfaces normally extend beyond an aerodrome’s boundaries and we ensure all parties respect inherent procedures.

Q: How does Prior Aero’s windfarm division complement its regulation services for private aviation companies?

A: Our wind farms are directed at the vibrant sector of renewable energy. They benefit the executive aviation sector by maintaining safe air-traffic conditions. We ensure that wind and photovoltaic farms do not infringe on an aerodrome’s obstacle limitation surfaces, both in terms of the height of the turbines and reflections from solar panels. This allows us to protect airways and secure healthy development in both industries.

Prior Aero’s clients are among the main actors in the aviation industry, including the Mexican air force, the School of Mexican Aviation Pilots (Colegio de Pilotos Aviadores de Mexico), executive airlines and independent clients. Whereas in the renewable energy industry, our top clients are Enel Green Power from Italy, Invenergy from the US, SYNERGION, which is a company with roots in Mexico and the Czech Republic, and GEMEX, a Mexican-Spanish venture. Our most requested services are air space studies, shielding studies, safety  management systems, stabilized approaches and training courses in aeronautics language.

Q: What exclusive benefits do your clients enjoy through their association with Prior Aero?

A: The majority of our customers are foreign companies that require a very specialized service. As companies enter the Mexican industry, they search for a support network that can advise them on local operations and managing the Mexican legal system. These entities may require technical support that does not differ greatly from the needs of our national clients. The paperwork can be complicated for new incoming companies that have no experience in the industry, which can result in a loss of time and money. Ultimately, both Mexican and international companies look for quality services that will protect their large investments.

While uniting consulting services with technical, judicial and governmental expertise, we rely on our three decades of collaboration with institutions in each of these areas to offer the best service possible to clients. Our operations are centered on a very strict method of deep analysis of local and international norms, especially those of ICAO.

Q: What must national airlines do to achieve international standards?

A: All companies in Mexico push to improve and maintain the internal quality of services to reach international standards. The most common challenge faced by our clients is the BASA between Mexico and the US, which amplifies open competition. There are significant opportunities for those who can create alliances to compete with the largest international operators. However, it remains important to grow within the country, for example, rediscovering destinations that other carriers have neglected.

The aerospace industry needs efficient flight plans and to properly balance passenger and cargo transportation to save on fuel. This will lead to more competitive prices. Aircrafts must also become more economical to justify reaching new, less popular, destinations. Furthermore, aircraft with greater passenger capacity would reduce saturation of airports and air traffic controls, especially for airports with complicated slot allocations.

Q: What are your forecasts for Prior Aero in the Mexican aerospace market?

A: Two important alliances are in the pipeline for Prior Aero that will increase our international presence and shift our growth toward Latin America. We forecast our operations will rise by at least 30 percent. This will be achieved partly thanks to new services that we are integrating into our business model. These services touch on environmental impact studies and administrating drone licenses for filming, patrolling and recreational purposes.

Our growth has been encouragingly consistent through our expansion into Latin America. We hope to extend our foreign and local investments to contract a larger number of employees to support this growth