Mexico revamps aviation regulator following US safety audit
AERO•Mexico plans to increase funding for its civil aviation regulator and add 100 operational staffers after a US audit identified nearly two dozen issues. The FAA is expected to review progress in December, with a Category 2 downgrade possible as early as February if deficiencies are not corrected.
1. More staff and funding
Mexico will give the Federal Civil Aviation Agency a significant budget increase and 100 new operational staffers as it works to address deficiencies flagged by US authorities and avoid a potential downgrade from the FAA. Industry workers had criticized deep cuts in the agency’s proposed 2027 budget before the government said it would allocate additional resources.
2. FAA review in December
Mexican authorities said the FAA identified nearly two dozen issues for Mexico to address and is expected to review progress again in December. A Category 2 downgrade could be implemented as early as February if Mexico fails to show it has corrected the problems.
3. Policy and planning updates
Transportation Minister Jesus Antonio Esteva said Mexico had carried out a “deep update” of aviation rules and oversight. The government plans to publish an updated national aviation policy in the coming weeks, its first comprehensive refresh in five years, and has launched a 15-year national air navigation plan. A Category 2 rating would limit Mexican airlines’ ability to expand services to the US; Mexico regained Category 1 status in 2023 after more than two years at Category 2.
