The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prohibited Mexican carriers from adding flights to the United States after the agency downgraded Mexico’s aviation rating.
Airlines were in a rush to operate flights out of San Antonio International Airport to the United States lately. The FAA said that Mexico fails to meet international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
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Hence, it downgraded the safety rating from Level 1 to Level 2. However, the Mexican carriers can continue to operate existing flights with this rating.
Mexico’s Civil Aviation rating fell below the standards of ICAO following an assessment conducted by the FAA between October and February.
Mexican carriers flying to the US said it’s important to note that FAA downgraded Mexico’s civil aviation authority, not Mexican airlines. Currently, three Mexican carriers, Aeromexico, Volaris, and VivaAerobus, operate flights to the US.
All of them issued separate statements highlighting the rating cut was unrelated to their air operations.
“Aeromexico continues to maintain the highest international safety standards,” an Aeromexico spokesperson said. Aeromexico has 693 flights scheduled between the US and Mexico this month.
Is flying on Mexican airlines still safe?
Yes. According to Harteveldt, “the Mexican airlines which have been granted authorization to operate to the United States satisfy FAA safety standards.”
Overall, the airline industry nevertheless considers Mexican airlines to be safe. Delta’s president, Glen Hauenstein, remarked, “We consider Aeromexico is exceptionally safe.” “This has nothing to do with Aeromexico. This is concerning the Mexican FAA and putting in place several of the necessary protocols. We have no concerns about Aeromexico’s safety.”
