# Mexico civil aviation safety and oversight

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-civil-aviation-safety-and-oversight
> Updated: 2026-10-15T14:42:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3.

In September 2026, Mexico’s Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) and the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) entered a collaboration agreement to enhance civil aviation safety. The agreement focused on establishing joint mechanisms for training, accident investigation, and the creation of a national network of search and rescue (SAR) Coordinating Subcenters in Mazatlán, Monterrey, Mérida, and Mexico City.

By October 2026, the agency faced significant challenges. A technical audit by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted in August identified 21 technical, operational, and administrative deficiencies within the AFAC. These findings included the need to update norms, circulars, and manuals, as well as the necessity of strengthening inspection programs, staff training, and human resource availability.

The National Institute of Aeronautical Legal Research (Inija) has expressed concern regarding the agency’s ability to resolve these issues. Experts suggest that addressing the observations requires significant budgetary, technological, and human resources that may not be available under current 2027 budget projections. Specifically, Inija noted that improvements in personnel require better salaries, while inspections require advanced technological equipment.

Despite these observations, Mexico will maintain its Category 1 aviation safety rating from the FAA for the time being. The FAA is scheduled to visit the AFAC in December to review progress, with final audit results expected in February 2027. These regulatory concerns coincided with warnings from the Group of Aviation Professionals (GPA) regarding severe budget constraints and a lack of qualified personnel, noting that limited funding has left zero resources for essential operational functions.

## Claims

- Mexico will maintain its FAA Category 1 aviation safety status. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The FAA identified 21 technical, administrative, and operational observations. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Deficiencies include the need for updated norms, manuals, and improved inspection programs. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The audit involved the review of 339 items related to aviation oversight. (single source)
- The FAA will conduct a follow-up review in December to monitor progress. (single source)
- A failure to resolve issues could lead to a safety category downgrade in February. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-15: Mexico's aviation agency faces FAA safety observations

Mexico's aviation agency (AFAC) must address 21 FAA observations regarding safety and administration, amid concerns that budget constraints may hinder necessary improvements in personnel and technology.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-aviation-agency-faces-faa-safety-observations

### 2026-10-13: Mexico retains FAA Category 1 aviation safety status

Mexico maintains its FAA Category 1 aviation safety rating after an audit identified 21 technical and administrative observations that must be resolved by December to prevent a potential downgrade.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-aviation-safety-at-risk-due-to-faa-findings-and-budget-gaps

### 2026-09-18: Mexico strengthens civil aviation safety and rescue protocols

Mexico's SICT and AFAC have established new collaboration bases to enhance civil aviation safety, creating a national search and rescue network and separating technical from administrative accident inquiries.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-strengthens-civil-aviation-safety-and-rescue-protocols

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Cite as: Mexico civil aviation safety and oversight. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-civil-aviation-safety-and-oversight