Mexico plans to finalize its action plan to regain US aviation security clearance in December, the statement said.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded Mexico’s aviation safety rating in May 2021, saying the country has not regulated its air carriers “in accordance with international minimum safety standards.”
The reintroduction of the Tier 1 classification would allow Aeromexico, Volaris and other Mexican carriers to add new flights to the United States and potentially enter into marketing agreements with US airlines.
FAA authorities are expected to travel to Mexico in January 2023 to present the results of the corrective action plan, the statement added.
The Mexican government said it aims to set a final date for its audit to recover the rating before the summer of 2023.
The FAA refused to confirm or deny the report. “We continue to provide assistance to the Civil Aviation Authority of Mexico,” an FAA spokesperson said.
The restoration of the US category 1 classification, however, does not put an end to all concerns about Mexico’s aviation safety, particularly in its capital, whose main airport suffered a series of disturbing incidents earlier this year, including a near accident.
Since then, the Mexican government has held meetings with airlines and aviation authorities to redeploy flights and send more to the new Felipe Angeles International Airport, located on the outskirts of the capital.
