Mexico to Take Measures to Regain Category 1
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Mexico to Take Measures to Regain Category 1

Photo by:   Claudio Schwarz, Unsplash
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Sofía Hanna By Sofía Hanna | Journalist and Industry Analyst - Mon, 06/07/2021 - 11:01

After Mexico’s air space was demoted from Category 1 to Category 2, the government created an Intersecretarial Group with the sole goal of determining and implementing the measures necessary to regain the lost classification. On June 4, the group announced it would develop concrete actions to recover its Category 1 rank.

Minister of Communications and Transportation (SCT), Jorge Arganis Díaz-Leal, mentioned that these actions would strengthen the industry. Moreover, the country’s commercial airlines are preparing to sign a technical assistance agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

According to an SCT report, the meeting in which the actions to be taken were agreed was attended by the directors of Aeroméxico, Volaris, MasAir, Viva Aerobus and Aeromar, as well as the representative of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the National Air Transport Chamber (CANAERO). This meeting, according to Arganis Díaz-Leal, aimed to enrich the responses demanded by the US authorities and contribute to the conclusion of an audit of Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC).

Once all parties agree and sign on all points, FAA’s staff will travel to Mexico to start the formal technical assistance work. The action plan includes modifying the Regulations of the Civil Aviation Law and the Regulations for the Issuance of Permits, Licenses and Training Certificates for Technical and Medical Personnel. Airlines reiterated they would operate within the highest safety and quality standards, which are comparable to the international standards of any airline that travels to the US. Airlines also guaranteed that they would fulfill reservations and routes during summer vacation season.

While the group’s actions are not yet defined, SCT and the airlines promised to keep the public informed about any measures taken and the proposals discussed. The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) expressed that it will review the budgetary needs that need to be solved and changes will be included in next year’s Expenditure Budget of the Federation.

The FAA downgraded Mexico’s air safety rating stating that “Mexico does not meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards,” as explained in an MBN article. This decision could greatly affect Mexico and the US’ aviation industry, said CANAERO. SCT stated that it had been carrying out processes to attend the FAA’s latest audit from last October to date and highlighted the importance of collaborating to achieve a prompt solution.

Photo by:   Claudio Schwarz, Unsplash

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