SENEAM faces 73% budget cut, raising Mexican aviation safety concerns

The Mexican Air Navigation Services (SENEAM) is facing a projected 73 percent budget reduction for the upcoming year, according to Javier Vanegas, regional director of the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO). The Ministry of Finance expects to allocate 926 million pesos to the agency, a sharp decline from previous levels.

Vanegas warned that this reduction poses a high risk to operational safety, noting that the cuts may even impact the ability to guarantee salary payments. This financial strain coincides with a long-standing personnel deficit; the National Air Traffic Controllers Union (Sinacta) reports that Mexico lacks at least 500 air traffic controllers.

SENEAM, an agency under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport, has operated for 48 years. It manages air traffic across 63 airports using a specialized workforce of over 2,600 employees, including meteorologists, engineers, and controllers. The agency provides essential services such as weather monitoring, radio aids, and telecommunications to ensure safe flight operations.