In recent days, reports have circulated causing confusion about alleged new restrictions affecting general aviation operations into Mexico. We want to clarify the situation and ensure you have accurate and useful information.
What’s Actually Changing?
The Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) has begun reinforcing compliance with existing regulations regarding the use of private-use aerodromes within Mexico. These are not new rules, but rather stricter enforcement of already established provisions:
Aerodromes registered as private-use are now being more closely monitored if they are regularly receiving corporate, air taxi, or third-party flights.
- AFAC aims to ensure these aerodromes are not being used for commercial purposes without the proper authorizations and corresponding payments.
- In many cases, these aerodromes had been used without formal oversight—AFAC is now reasserting compliance with long-standing requirements.
For International Operators
There are no new bans or significant changes for international general aviation or charter flights:
Public airports listed in the AIP remain fully available for general aviation operations.
- Blanket and single-entry permits are still being issued with no major procedural changes.
- Insurance, radio license, and technical documentation requirements remain largely unchanged.
Who Is This Targeting?
These compliance measures are directed mainly at Mexican aerodrome operators, not international flight operators:¡
If a Mexican aerodrome is registered as private-use, it cannot routinely receive third-party operations without updating its status.
- AFAC is reminding aerodrome owners that allowing such traffic without proper permits may constitute unauthorized commercial activity.
A Note on Misinformation
Some reports have caused concern by:
Confusing access restrictions at specific aerodromes with general permit limitations.
- Exaggerating documentation or insurance requirements, which have not changed significantly.
- Portraying the situation as a drastic new regulation—which it is not.
- AFAC’s goal is to ensure compliance, transparency, and safety in the growing general aviation sector, not to restrict access or penalize compliant operators.