Mexico prepares final audit to recover category 1 in air safety

Redacción - Aviación al Día

2 years ago

Mexican and U.S. aviation authorities are preparing the final audit for Mexico to regain category 1 in air safety, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT).

The Mexican government agency said in a statement that the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (CAIA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) resumed their working sessions this week.

The general director of the FAA, Miguel Enrique Vallin, highlighted that the step Mexico is seeking to take, after downgrading its air category in May 2021, “is very important for national aviation”.

He also said that Mexican and U.S. air authorities have worked “arduously” to recover Category 1 air safety status.

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Meanwhile, Jeffrey Richardson, who heads the U.S. specialists’ table, acknowledged the work done by the Mexican government to try to upgrade its category again as soon as possible.

“He added that the FAA will collaborate in every possible way to support the fulfillment of the goals,” the SICT said in a statement.

The U.S. delegation will remain until next Friday to review the pending points to return Mexico to category 1 and it is “expected that this meeting will advance in the preparation for the final audit”.

This Monday, according to EFE, the CAIA director and his team reviewed with FAA specialists the non-conformities regarding the training of inspectors, the procedures for their adequate specialization and the airline operation reviews.

On January 24, the Mexican government announced that it would receive technical assistance from the FAA so that “Mexico is prepared and can recover its Category 1 air safety status as soon as possible”.

Having lost this level, Mexico cannot open new routes to the United States since May 2021.

The Mexican government has reported actions to regain Category 1 status, such as the reform of the Civil Aviation Law, which strengthens the FAA’s powers in verification and operational safety, and the regulatory investigation of accidents and incidents.

Also, the development of a comprehensive action plan by the CAIA to address the final audit phase under the International Aviation Safety Assessment Program (IASA).

Also, the implementation of an updated International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Electronic Dispute Notification System Platform and modifications to the National Aeronautical Legislation.