The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States (FAA) issued a statement stating that the Mexican government does not comply with the security standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization, and, therefore, downgraded Mexico airlines from to Category 1 to Category 2.
This means that Mexican airlines will not be able to establish new routes or new services in passenger transport.
Similarly, US airlines will not be able to market or sell codeshare tickets with Mexican airlines.
The FAA statement, in part, said:
“A Category 2 rating means that the country’s laws or regulations lack the necessary requirements to monitor the country’s airlines in accordance with minimum international safety standards.
“Or that the (country’s) civil aviation authority lacks one or more areas, such as technical experience, trained personnel, maintenance history, inspection procedures, or resolution of security problems.”
This came after the FAA conducted an audit of Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency in October 2020, which lasted until February 2021. In it, they were able to identify various areas that do not meet minimum safety standards.
On Monday, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) denounced that the United States has “interests” in the downgrading to category 2 of air safety in Mexico.
He said, “There are interests, because those who benefit are the US airlines. They are the ones who benefit, and the national lines could be harmed. We are seeing this issue.”
AMLO also blamed previous governments for the current state of aviation.
“All the rules are being met. Previously this matter was stopped. We have been complying with all the requirements. We feel that this decision should not be carried out because we are up to date.”