Mexico's Air Safety Rating at Risk: The Week in Aerospace

In this week's aviation news, Mexico's Category 1 air safety rating is at risk following an FAA audit highlighting AFAC deficiencies. Meanwhile, AFAC is preparing new slot allocation rules for saturated airports. Additionally, ASA reported a record 2.7 billion liters in aviation fuel supply for H1 2026, while the FAA ordered Boeing 737 MAX crack inspections.

Everything is cleared for takeoff–This week in Aerospace!

FAA Audit Exposes AFAC Deficiencies, Risking Mexico's Category 1

Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) is facing critical operational and administrative deficiencies identified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during an ongoing audit, placing the country's top-tier air safety rating at immediate risk.

Mexico’s ASA Hits 2.7 Billion Liters in H1 Aviation Fuel Supply

Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) supplied a total of 2.698 billion liters of aviation fuel across Mexico during the first half of 2026, reaching a record volume driven by sustained growth in air travel demand.

US Probes Mexico Aviation Oversight, Category 1 Rating at Risk

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated a new safety assessment of Mexico’s civil aviation framework, placing the country’s Category 1 air safety rating at risk of a downgrade as regulators evaluate the oversight capabilities of the Civil Aviation Federal Agency (AFAC).

Mexico Sets New Slot Allocation Rules for Saturated Airports

Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) is preparing to issue new general rules governing the allocation of takeoff and landing schedules, commonly known as slots, and aircraft priority handling across public civil aerodromes designated under Level 3 saturation conditions.

FAA Orders Boeing 737 MAX Crack Inspections

US aviation regulators have finalized a new airworthiness directive requiring operators to inspect nearly 500 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for structural fuselage cracks, marking the latest regulatory requirement for the aircraft manufacturer as it works through broader safety and manufacturing challenges.