Mexico’s air-safety rating lowered by US, limiting flights

Mexico’s aviation-safety ranking has been downgraded by the U.S., prohibiting an expansion of flights from the nation’s carriers to its northern neighbor. The move by the FAA Tuesday is a symbolic blow to Mexico at a time when it has become by far the biggest international market with the U.S. and may force an end to business agreements between the two nations’ carriers. Existing flights to the US on Grupo Aeromexico SAB and Volaris can continue, but they can’t add service. It could also end Delta’s ability to sell tickets on Aeromexico flights and a similar cooperation agreement between Volaris and Frontier Airlines Holdings. Mexico joins another eight nations listed as what FAA calls “Category 2” for not meeting international safety standards, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Venezuela and Thailand. The FAA audits look at whether nations have adequate aviation regulations and the ability to enforce them. The standards are set by the ICAO. “The FAA will increase its scrutiny of Mexican airline flights to the United States,” the agency said. “The FAA is fully committed to helping the Mexican aviation authority improve its safety oversight system.” The FAA didn’t cite specific problems it found during an audit from October through February, saying only it had identified multiple areas where the country didn’t comply with minimum international standards. The audits look at issues such as regulators’ technical expertise, training, records and inspection procedures.<br/>