Under his leadership, together with his team, Mexico regained access to the international market and strengthened its aviation industry, positioning itself as the second most important market globally.
After more than two years in Category 2 of the FAA’s operational safety ranking, Mexico regained Category 1 status in 2023. Leading this effort was General Miguel Enrique Vallín Osuna, now Director General of the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC).
The return to Category 1 was not merely an administrative formality; it was the result of deep institutional reengineering. Vallín spearheaded the professionalization of technical staff, the updating of regulatory frameworks, the strengthening of AFAC’s operational autonomy, and the implementation of an inspection system aligned with international standards.
This achievement once again opened the door for Mexican airlines to expand their routes and frequencies to the United States—the world’s largest air travel market.
For a country where more than 65% of international passengers travel to the U.S., the recovery of Category 1 meant not only prestige but also new opportunities for growth and competitiveness.
Despite the challenges along the way, and without overlooking the efforts of previous administrations, the Federal Civil Aviation Agency has strengthened Mexican aviation by improving areas such as safety, efficiency, innovation, and best practices—key elements of its institutional mission.
All of this has been made possible thanks to the performance and collaboration of its team, under the direction and leadership of General Vallín.
Private Aviation as a Driver of Growth
Beyond the commercial realm, his administration has had a direct impact on private and executive aviation—a sector that in Mexico not only enjoys prestige but also generates substantial economic spillover.
According to IATA data, the aviation industry contributes 4.9% of the national GDP—approximately $88.3 billion—and supports 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs.
In this ecosystem, executive aviation places Mexico as the second-largest market in the world, just behind the United States. The national fleet exceeds 2,000 private aircraft in operation, and each year new registrations of executive jets and corporate helicopters enhance the country’s connectivity.
General Miguel Vallín himself has emphasized that private aviation is a “silent but vital engine”: it provides connectivity to regions without commercial flights, facilitates corporate, diplomatic, and security operations, and positions the country as a strategic hub between North and South America.
As a result, executive aviation contributes to making cities like Toluca, Monterrey, Cancún, and Los Cabos important air activity nodes—generating jobs, investment, and high-value tourism.
A Career with Wings of Its Own
Originally from Culiacán, General Vallín is trained as a military aviator pilot, holds a master's degree in military administration, and a doctorate in finance. He has held positions such as Commander of the Mexican Air Force and Director General of Air Transport for the National Guard.
With over 45 years of experience, he is also the first Mexican to be inducted into the United States Air Force Honor Roll in Alabama—an acknowledgment that speaks to his prestige beyond borders.
This milestone not only honors his career but also positions Mexico as a country with military and civilian leaders capable of being recognized in the world’s most demanding forums.
The reflection is inevitable: in a country with more than 2,000 private aircraft in operation and an expanding market—in 2024 alone, the rental and purchase of jets increased by more than 20%—General Miguel Vallín’s leadership ensures that Mexico not only stays on the path of safety and international compliance, but also promotes private aviation as a key sector for national competitiveness.
Looking Ahead to 2030
General Miguel Vallín’s leadership is aligned with AFAC’s strategy toward 2030: strengthening infrastructure, further professionalizing inspectors, digitizing procedures, and positioning the country as a global benchmark in operational safety.
Beyond regaining Category 1, General Miguel Vallín not only fulfilled the technical task of restoring confidence in Mexico’s air system—he left behind an institutional legacy that transcends and sets the direction for the entire industry.
His name is now tied to a period of transition that, far from being merely administrative, became a structural transformation for Mexican civil and private aviation. That is perhaps his greatest achievement: proving that discipline and strategic vision—applied with rigor and commitment—can give Mexico its wings back.