Mexico has introduced a major change to its air navigation policies, with the news that single-entry charter landing permits will no longer be issued by AFAC, the country’s civil aviation authority.
According to Universal Aviation Mexico, this means all charter operators must now hold a blanket permit validated by AFAC along with a current air operator certificate (AOC) to operate in Mexican airspace, with only those aircraft listed on the permit eligible for entry. While operators can continue using aircraft already covered under valid permits, new aircraft not yet listed on the permit will be denied.
Universal noted that this shift represents a substantial tightening of oversight, with each flight required to face local authority review of operator credentials, aircraft details, and crew documentation before approval is granted.
Expect increased scrutiny and sanctions for cabotage violations or operations conducted without proper permits, explained Hinna Garcia, the company’s Mexico operations control center manager, adding, “Failure to meet these requirements could result in denied flights, operational delays, or regulatory penalties at a time when Mexico remains a critical market for business aviation.”
Operators planning on heading to Mexico should review their permit status, confirm that their AOC validation is current, and verify all aircraft and crew information is up to date, she added. She advised operators to avoid scheduling Mexico flights until their compliance is confirmed.
In this article
More In Regulations and Government
