The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prohibited all Mexican carriers operating flights to the US to add flights to the United States after it downgraded Mexico’s aviation safety rating.
Lately, Mexican carriers were in a rush to increase frequency to the United States. Around 21,000 flights are scheduled between the US and Mexico this month. In April, nearly 2.3 million passengers travelled on U.S. – Mexico flights. Mexico was the busiest foreign destination, with the Dominican Republic in the second position.
The FAA said that it identified several occasions of non-compliance, failing to meet minimum international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The FAA downgraded Mexico’s aviation safety rating from Level 1 to Level 2. This means that Mexican carriers can continue to operate existing services with this lower rating. This also means that Mexican carriers won’t be able to sell seats on each other’s flights in code-share arrangements.
In a statement, Delta Airlines, which has a code-sharing agreement with Aeromexico, said:
“For customers who have booked a flight with Delta that is operated by Aeromexico, Delta may reissue their reservation onto the corresponding Aeromexico-operated flight. Delta apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause our customers and will continue to coordinate with Aeromexico to minimize any disruptions.”
The FAA said that Mexico does not meet International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards as part of its safety assessment conducted FAA between October last year and February this year.
After the FAA announced its decision, all three Mexican carriers, Aeromexico, Volaris and VivaAerobus, operating flights to the US, said that it’s important to note that Mexico’s civil aviation authority rating was downgraded, not because of Mexican airlines.
“Aeromexico continues to maintain the highest international safety standards,” said an Aeromexico spokesperson.
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