by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 7:05 PM ET, Wed June 28, 2023
Aeromexico’s CEO is expressing optimism that Mexico’s civil aviation authority may soon have its safety rating upgraded by the FAA.
The airline head, Andres Conesa, anticipates the improvement will take place before the end of July, according to Travel Weekly. Should that come to pass, Mexico would then be allowed to introduce new U.S. service.
"We expect that to change next month after two years," Conesa said during Delta's Investor Day on Tuesday, Travel Weekly reported. "Our authorities have been working very hard."
The FAA however, has declined to comment on the matter.
"We continue to provide assistance to Mexico's civil aviation authority," the agency said in a statement issued via email.
The Mexico civil aviation agency’s rating was downgraded by the FAA in May 2021. At that time, the U.S. gave the aviation agency a Category 2 rating. However, details were never made available about what led to the change in safety status.
Safety downgrades are typically tied to a country lacking laws or regulations needed to oversee airlines. The change in status can also be linked to a country’s civil aviation authority lacking in s such areas as technical expertise, trained personnel, record keeping or inspection procedures.
While Mexican airlines have been permitted to continue operating in the U.S. with a Category 2 status, they have been barred from introducing any new routes. The status also kept Mexican airlines from adding or expanding service on existing routes.
Even if the Mexican aviation authority’s status is returned to Category 1 in July as predicted, Conesa said it will be some time before Aeromexico launches any new routes.
The first step, Conesa said, would be to increase the aircraft size on existing routes. Aeromexico operated six Boeing 737 Max aircraft prior to entering bankruptcy two years ago. Since then, it has ramped up to some 51 aircraft.
During an interview with TravelPulse in May, Aeromexico detailed its plans for expanded connectivity between Mexico and the United States.
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