Politics · Mexico · 1 hr ago
Mexico raises aviation regulator’s budget as it prepares safety law changes
Mexico raised the aviation regulator’s 2026 budget by 22%, from 675.5 million to 803.1 million pesos.
The money goes to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency, known as AFAC, which oversees the country’s aviation sector.
Mexico is also preparing changes to its civil aviation and airport laws to strengthen safety rules and oversight.
The changes include security training and certification, protections for cargo and mail, and plans to assist victims and their families.
These steps respond to concerns raised in a recent safety evaluation by the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Keeping Category 1 matters because a downgrade to Category 2 would limit Mexican airlines’ ability to add flights or open new routes to the United States.
The FAA is expected to announce its final decision in February, after Mexico addresses the issues identified.
Mexico increased the 2026 budget for its Federal Civil Aviation Agency by 22%, from 675.5 million to 803.1 million pesos.
The government is preparing changes to the Civil Aviation Law and Airports Law.
The measures are intended to address findings from a recent US Federal Aviation Administration safety assessment.
The FAA is expected to announce its final decision in February, which will determine whether Mexico retains Category 1 status.
A downgrade to Category 2 could limit Mexican airlines’ ability to add flights or open new routes to the United States.
- Who
- Mexico’s federal government and Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC). The US Federal Aviation Administration is assessing Mexico’s aviation safety.
- What
- Mexico raised AFAC’s 2026 budget by 22% and is preparing changes to two aviation laws.
- When
- The budget increase was made during the third quarter of 2026. The FAA’s final decision is expected in February.
- Where
- Mexico; the assessment concerns aviation safety and routes to the United States.
- Why
- To strengthen aviation oversight and address commitments related to the FAA’s safety assessment, helping Mexico retain Category 1 status.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
AFAC’s approved budget was 675.5 million pesos.
The budget increased to 803.1 million pesos.
Communications and Transport Secretary Jesús Esteva announced that AFAC would receive 1.4 billion pesos in 2027.
The FAA is expected to announce its final decision on Mexico’s safety category.
- AFAC 2026 budget
- 803.1 million pesos, up from 675.5 million
- Budget increase
- 22%
- Planned 2027 budget
- 1.4 billion pesos
- Laws targeted for changes
- Civil Aviation Law and Airports Law
- Expected FAA decision
- February
What people are saying
The set of written methods and procedures for the Civil Aviation Security of the Mexican State, with the purpose of safeguarding civil aviation operations against acts of unlawful interference