Mexico aviation infrastructure and safety oversight

Mexico’s aviation sector is navigating significant financial and regulatory challenges. The Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) has required over 5,000 million pesos in government subsidies to maintain operations, reporting net losses of approximately 792 million pesos when fiscal supports are excluded. Operational shifts intended to balance AIFA with the Mexico City International Airport and Toluca have led to increased fuel consumption, longer flight paths, and noise levels exceeding World Health Organization parameters.

In response to broader oversight needs, the Mexican Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) is projected to receive a historic budget of 1,400 million pesos by 2027, representing a 56 percent increase from 2025 levels. Jesús Esteva Medina, head of Mexico’s Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), stated this funding aims to strengthen operational safety, technical supervision, and competitiveness. This follows coordination between Esteva, U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson, and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford regarding air traffic control and regulatory processes. This development follows the U.S. Department of Transportation’s decision to revoke restrictions on Mexican airlines operating new flights from Mexico City (AICM) and AIFA to the United States.

To meet FAA requirements for category two status, the AFAC plans to expand its workforce by more than 200 professionals and nearly quadruple its number of inspectors. Additionally, the sector is seeing leadership transitions, with Aeroméxico CEO Andrés Conesa elected president of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) Executive Committee for the 2026-2027 period.