Mexico Enacts New Airspace Protection Rules

Mexico has enacted the secondary regulations for its Airspace Protection Law, creating a structured operational framework for surveillance, detection, identification and, when necessary, interception within national airspace. Published in the Official Gazette, the regulation comprises 70 articles divided into three sections and defines the coordination mechanisms among civilian and military authorities responsible for safeguarding Mexican airspace. The decree details how federal agencies must collaborate, within their respective mandates, to implement the law approved earlier by Congress.

Under the new framework, the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) is designated as the lead authority for interpretation and enforcement. The regulation reiterates that control of airspace is an exclusive function of the Mexican State, exercised through competent federal institutions to preserve sovereignty, security and independence. Operational coordination will be centralized through the National Airspace Surveillance and Protection Center, with the Mexican Air Force conducting defense operations and the Army supporting surveillance and response activities.

The regulation establishes standardized protocols for identifying and addressing potential air threats, including unauthorized and clandestine flights. It formalizes procedures for detection, tracking, classification and intervention, along with communication requirements during interception events. Authorities must integrate aviation safety standards, risk mitigation criteria and national defense considerations into all operational decisions to protect both infrastructure and human life.

A key element of the framework is the determination of flight legality. The National Center is responsible for verifying whether aircraft comply with authorized flight plans approved by Servicios a la Navegación en el Espacio Aéreo Mexicano (SENEAM). Aircraft that land without authorization are required to report the reasons within 24 hours. When irregularities are detected, authorities must document evidence and notify relevant agencies. The regulation allows the Executive Branch to rely on system entities for operational resources and technical support during investigations.

Governance Structure and Operational Categories

The decree formalizes the Airspace Protection System and the National Council for Airspace Surveillance and Protection. The Council coordinates personnel, technology, financial resources and logistical assets contributed by participating agencies. It is tasked with implementing preventive, reactive and proactive measures to address risks to national security. A Technical Secretariat supports legal coordination, planning and interagency communication, with procedures established for both regular and extraordinary sessions.

Operational categories include intelligence gathering, counter-illicit-use measures, reconnaissance missions and search-and-rescue operations. Detection activities rely on a combination of military radar systems, naval platforms, civilian air traffic services and other technological tools. The regulation also contemplates information exchange with international partners when aircraft approach Mexican-controlled airspace. Identification processes require cross-checking flight plans, radio communications, electronic signals and flight behavior before escalation measures are considered.

Interception is defined as a last-resort measure designed to confirm an aircraft’s status and intentions. Objectives include verifying crew conditions, providing emergency assistance and directing aircraft to authorized airports if required. Pilots must establish radio communication, follow official instructions and activate designated emergency transponder codes when instructed. Government aircraft engaged in coordinated sensitive missions may be exempt from certain procedures. Air alert mechanisms allow authorities to formally declare a threat and activate joint response protocols.

Context of Cross-Border Surveillance 

The regulatory rollout coincides with renewed scrutiny over US intelligence flights near Mexican territory. In early 2025, CNN reported that the CIA had conducted surveillance missions using MQ-9 Reaper drones to monitor drug trafficking networks. According to US officials cited in the report, the drones were unarmed and the program began during the administration of Joe Biden, with intelligence shared with Mexican authorities. The operations were reportedly disclosed to Congress under classified procedures.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly downplayed the reports, calling them part of a broader media narrative. However, tensions resurfaced after a Feb. 3 flight that Mexican authorities said lacked proper authorization. SEDENA initially stated the aircraft operated over international waters, but SENEAM reported that it had entered airspace under Mexican control and failed to file a flight plan.

In comments to El Financiero, José Covarrubias of the Air Traffic Controllers Union emphasized that airspace jurisdiction is independent of maritime boundaries. “It is Mexican airspace,” he said, noting that the zone falls under the Mazatlán control center’s authority. President Sheinbaum indicated that Mexico would seek further clarification from US authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.