Mexican Airlines Soar in 2023; AFAC to Open New Medical Units

Mexican airlines have seen a positive start to 2013, reporting increases in demand and capacity. Meanwhile, Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) deployed new medical units to provide medical certificates for the aviation industry. 

Ready to take off? This is the week in aviation and aerospace:

Passenger Traffic Increases in 2023

Between January and March 2023, Volaris transported a total of 7.4 million passengers, which represents a 17.2% growth from the same period in 2022. Aeroméxico recorded the largest year-to-year increase among Mexican airlines with a 39.2% variation from 2022 and transported the second-largest number of passengers with 5.7 million, reports the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC).

AFAC explained that Mexican airlines increased their total passenger count by 24.2% from January-March 2022 to January-March 2023, going from 14.6 million passengers to 18.2 million. Smaller airlines such as: Calafia Airlines, Aeromar, Tar and Magnicharters recorded a decrease in passengers transported. 

AFAC to Open Six Medical Units

AFAC, which is now the only authority able to issue medical certificates for the Mexican aviation industry, opened six more medical units. The move comes as part of its efforts to recover the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Category 1 aviation safety standard. The new requirements for the medical evaluation of Aeronautical Technical Personnel entered into force on April 17, 2023, and certifications issued by third-party doctors will no longer be accepted as of May 8. The new units will begin operating on May 15, 2023, allowing it to issue a total of 165 certificates per day. 

End of Global Health Emergency Brings Hope for Aviation

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that COVID-19 no longer represents a “global health emergency.” The International Air Transport Association (IATA) praised the decision, calling it a significant step toward ending the pandemic but warned that it is crucial for governments to heed the lessons from COVID-19.

Queretaro Intercontinental Airport Launches Plan for 2050

Queretaro Intercontinental Airport (AIQ) has deployed a new plan for 2050, which aims to promote economic and social growth in the region, says Jorge Gutiérrez de Velasco, General Manager, AIQ. Through the plan, the airport aims to increase its connectivity and support the national airport system. 

“To propose a vision with this scope, it was necessary to perform a broad listening exercise with its stakeholders to gain valuable information about their needs and expectations. This was the first step in the creation of a network of mutually beneficial relationships that is unprecedented in the history of the airport,” says Gutiérrez.