Mexico Returns to Category 1 Air Safety
Mexico is returning to Category 1 in air safety, according to an announcement made by the Mexican government.
In this regard, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced on Friday morning that the United States government has decided to restore Mexico to Category 1 in air safety.
“They have decided to return Category 1 to Mexico for airport operations. It’s good news,” said the president during his regular morning press conference.
AMLO mentioned that the U.S. Secretary of Transportation called Chancellor Alicia Bárcena to announce Mexico’s return to Category 1 in air safety.
The president stated that the official announcement will be made next week.
Mexico’s return to Category 1 in air safety is happening now because “all the requirements have been met,” according to López Obrador.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revoked Mexico’s Category 1 status in May 2021, citing that the country did not regulate airlines according to international safety standards.
According to the FAA’s explanation at the time, the downgrade meant that Mexican laws or regulations did not ensure “minimum international safety standards.
Mexico Returns to Category 1 Air Safety
It also noted that the civil aviation authority lacked certain conditions, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record maintenance, inspection procedures, or safety issue resolution.
The downgrade to a Category 2 safety rating prevented Mexican airlines from opening new routes to the United States, and marketing agreements between airlines were limited.
It also prevented U.S. airlines from marketing and selling tickets with Mexican partner airlines.
However, existing services provided by Mexican companies to the United States remained unaffected.
Mexico’s return to Category 1 in air safety will allow domestic airlines to increase their activities towards the United States, such as opening new routes or increasing the frequency of current ones.
The United States evaluates the civil aviation authorities of all countries with airlines seeking to fly to its territory or already operating there under agreements.
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