The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced this week that the Government of Mexico does not meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards. Based on a reassessment of Mexico’s civil aviation authority, the FAA has downgraded Mexico’s rating to Category 2 from Category 1.
While the new rating allows Mexican air carriers to continue existing service to the United States, it prohibits any new service and routes. U.S. airlines will no longer be able to market and sell tickets with their names and designator codes on Mexican-operated flights. The FAA states that it will increase its scrutiny of Mexican airline flights to the United States.
Volaris, an ultra-low-cost airline serving Mexico, the United States of America and Central America, has stressed that the safety rating does not assess carriers in the region.
“Volaris' safety profile remains unchanged and we believe it is in line with best industry standards from both safety and security standpoints. Volaris is committed to the safety of our passengers.”
Current Volaris services will remain in place but the airline is prohibited from adding new routes to the US nor new aircraft to its FAA operations specifications. However, Volaris' fleet may continue to grow, as the FAA action does not limit Volaris from incorporating any additional aircraft into its Mexican Air Operators Certificate, nor does it preclude Volaris from deploying such aircraft to Mexican and Central American markets.
Additionally, codeshare partner Frontier will remove its code from flights operated by Volaris.
“Volaris understands that AFAC has been working closely with the FAA to remedy any technical or regulatory issues. Volaris will support the efforts of both regulatory authorities with the objective of restoring Mexico's safety rating to Category 1.”