Mexico to Need 1,545 Air Traffic Controllers by 2034, Says SENEAM

Mexico is projected to require 1,545 air traffic controllers by 2034, marking  an increase of 473 professionals over the current workforce of 1,072, according to Ricardo Baños García, Director of Training, Mexican Airspace Navigation Services (SENEAM). This growth is driven by a forecasted 37.12% increase in annual air operations over the next decade.

“In 2014, Mexico recorded 2,097,055 air operations nationwide. For 2025, this figure is expected to rise to 2,334,874, representing an 11.34% increase. By 2034, air operations are projected to reach 3,201,614,” Baños García explained during the 60th anniversary event of Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA).

The expected expansion of air traffic necessitates a corresponding increase in qualified air traffic controllers. While the number of controllers grew from 777 in 2014 to 1,072 in 2025, SENEAM anticipates needing 1,545 controllers by 2034 to adequately support the growing operational demands.

To address this demand, SENEAM has intensified recruitment efforts since 2023, launching national campaigns to train new controllers through its dedicated training center. “Between 2023 and May 2025, 128 students have graduated with aeronautical technical licenses from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), qualifying as Class 3 air traffic controllers and Class 1 meteorologists. These graduates have been integrated into SENEAM, significantly helping to reduce the historical staffing backlog,” Baños García reported.

Becoming an air traffic controller in Mexico requires approximately two years and two months of training, encompassing 3,276 hours divided into 641 hours of theoretical coursework, 1,444 hours of practical instruction, and 1,160 hours of supervised learning activities.

“Training competent air traffic controllers is critical not only for ensuring air safety but also to support the projected growth of Mexico’s aeronautical sector, maintain compliance with international aviation standards, and foster economic and technological advancement,” Baños García emphasized.

Despite these advancements, the National Union of Air Traffic Controllers (SINACTA) notes a continuing shortage of approximately 500 controllers nationwide. The union states that the average monthly salary for controllers is MX$30,000 (US$1,650), supplemented by overtime pay of around MX$1,500 (US$82) per hour.