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La Federal Aviation Administration – FAA of the USA has confirmed that he downgraded to category 2 from aviation security to Mexico, what does this imply?
In a statement published on 25 May 2021, the FAA confirmed the rumor that had been playing for a few days: Mexico does not comply with various air safety standards within the standards of the Civil Aviation Organization – OACI.
Based on a reassessment by the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority, the FAA has lowered Mexico's rating to Category 2 from Category 1.
The official information is very clear and forceful, where despite the difficulties that Mexican aviation will face to continue growing, within a post pandemic air recovery framework, It is important indicates that the FAA has committed to help the Government of Mexico and its civil aviation authority to improve and supervise the systems that allow compliance with ICAO levels.
What does the category mean for Mexico? 2?
Although the new rating allows Mexican airlines to continue existing service to USA, prohibits any new services and routes. US airlines will no longer be able to market, sell tickets with their names and shared codes on flights operated by Mexico.
This will also imply that the FAA will increase its safety inspections of Mexican airlines' flights to the United States..
Why is Mexico losing the category??
During his reassessment of the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) October 2020 to February 2021, the FAA identified several areas of non-compliance with ICAO minimum safety standards.
A Category rating 2 means that the country's laws or regulations lack the necessary requirements to supervise the country's airlines in accordance with international minimum safety standards, or that the civil aviation authority lacks one or more areas, as technical expertise, trained staff, background maintenance, safety inspection or troubleshooting procedures.
Under the IASA program, the FAA evaluates the civil aviation authorities of all countries with airlines that have applied to fly to the United States, currently operate in the United States or participate in codeshare agreements with EE partner airlines. UU. Assessments determine whether international civil aviation authorities meet ICAO minimum security standards, not with FAA regulations.
How do you recover the category 1?
This is an important point and above all, It is not fast nor is there a minimum time. Let's remember the case of Ecuador, that took you close 11 years to return to meet the minimum air safety requirements under ICAO levels, but they were other circumstances and military administration.
To earn and maintain a Category rating 1, a country must comply with ICAO safety standards, United Nations technical agency for aviation. ICAO sets international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.
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Very well. But with objectivity and without political nuances, It is striking that Venezuelan commercial aircraft and crews fly to Europe and Eurasia if there are setbacks. Even taking into account that during autumn and winter mainly, operate at airports whose meteorological conditions for descents in controlled areas (ATC), approach and landing require as much operational expertise as at any US airport:
Okay, Venezuela is already Category 2.
This topic is very interesting, delimiting the case of Ecuador, the Ecuadorian DGAC from 1962 until 2002 was administered by the FAE, due to the fact that its military personnel who work in the international airports of Quito (Old Mariscal Sucre) and Guayaquil (old simon bolivar) whose facilities operated according to the time of the 60's, because with the passage of time, those buildings in the short term did not comply with ICAO international civil aviation standards, because it went through an operational and logistical crisis, until the US FAA. downgraded the category 2 in the year 1995 due to these reasons: Ecuadorian DGAC under military control (F.A.E.), outdated security procedures by airport staff, Outdated Civil Aviation Law (did not meet ICAO international standards), International airports operating in unsafe conditions and lack of technical-operative criteria to improve operational safety. Then, Ecuador had to go through a tough modernization process to recover the category 1 in aviation security where the Quito and Guayaquil airports were remodeled, the administration was transferred by concession to the municipalities of Guayaquil (AAG and TASA) and Quito (Quiport) after the definitive withdrawal of military personnel in the DGAC, the Civil Aviation Law was amended and airport security procedures were updated (post 9/11); Once these observations are improved, the FAA returned the category 1 to Ecuador in May of 2006.
Excellent information Christopher, Thanks a lot.