Mexico’s Travel Advisories Issued by the FAA, CDC and State Department

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced 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 announced on May 25, 2021, the FAA has downgraded Mexico’s rating to Category 2 from Category 1.

A Category 2 rating means that the country’s laws or regulations lack the necessary requirements to oversee the country’s air carriers in accordance with minimum international safety standards, or the civil aviation authority is lacking in one or more areas such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping, inspection procedures, or the resolution of safety concerns.

And, the FAA confirmed it will increase its scrutiny of Mexican airline flights to the USA.

While the new rating allows Mexican air carriers to continue existing service to the USA, it prohibits any new service and routes. 

Furthermore, 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 stated in a press release ‘it is fully committed to helping the Mexican aviation authority improve its safety oversight system to a level that meets ICAO standards. To achieve this, the FAA is ready to provide expertise and resources in support of the Agencia Federal de Aviacion Civil's (AFAC) ongoing efforts to resolve the issues identified in the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) process.

Both AFAC and FAA share a commitment to civil aviation safety and enabling AFAC to regain Category 1 status.

To obtain and maintain a Category 1 rating, a country must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nation’s technical agency for aviation. ICAO establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance. Information about the IASA program is posted on the FAA’s website.

Currently, the US Department of State maintains a Level 4 Travel Advisory for Mexico, which says ‘Do not travel to Mexico due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime and kidnapping.’

And the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its Level 4 Travel Alert for Mexico to confirm ‘Because of the current situation in Mexico even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to Mexico.’

In addition to COVID-19 vaccines, various travel vaccines are available at most clinics focused on international travelers.

Vax-Before-Travel publishes research-based travel vaccine news.