US expected to downgrade Mexico’s aviation safety rating

The US is preparing to downgrade Mexico’s air-safety rating in a potential blow to what has been one of the few strong airline markets during the pandemic. The FAA in coming days will designate Mexico as Category 2 in its International Aviation Safety Assessment Program, said two people familiar with the action who asked not to be identified because the decision hasn’t been announced. Mexican airlines can continue to fly to the US, but the downgrade will prevent any expansion of flights and could limit business arrangements between carriers in the two countries. It also sends a powerful signal that could sway consumer decisions on choosing flights between the two neighbors. FAA audits of other nations’ aviation systems don’t look at individual carriers, instead focusing on whether countries have adequate safety regulations and the resources to enforce them. The baseline is whether countries meet the standards of the United Nations’ ICAO. The FAA found 24 issues of concern in an audit of Mexico’s oversight program and only a handful have been resolved, said one of the people. The notification of the agency’s decision is imminent, the people said. Mexico is confident the FAA won’t lower its rating after the country’s Federal Agency of Civil Aeronautics responds to the audit, said an official at the Transportation and Communications Ministry who asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive issue. The official said the FAA had identified 28 issues.<br/>