Mexico president to meet with US transport chief on air-safety rating (updated)

Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV

07/06/2023 17:02

(Updates with quotes from president in paragraphs 4 and 6, adds
background on Category 1)
       MEXICO CITY, June 7 (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres
Manuel Lopez Obrador said he would meet on Wednesday with the
U.S. transportation secretary, appearing to refer to Pete
Buttigieg, and discuss Mexico's efforts to recover a top
air-safety rating.
    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) more than two
years ago downgraded Mexico to Category 2, citing safety
deficiencies and restricting the ability of Mexican airlines to
open new routes to the United States. 
    The FAA wrapped up an audit - one of a series - into Mexico
last week. A government source told Reuters that the concluded
audit was Mexico's "last," implying a positive resolution.
    "We've already complied with everything, absolutely
everything," Lopez Obrador said, referring to changes laid out
by the FAA required to recover the Category 1 rating.
        Mexico has revamped its aviation standards, most
recently overhauling its civil aviation law and shuffling
industry officials.
  
        Lopez Obrador also criticized the FAA's role in
restricting Mexico's ability to operate flights. "Who are the
judges? From another country. With what authority are they
grading another government?"
  
        The leftist president has frequently chaffed at what he
deems intervention from other countries into national affairs.
  
        
  

 (Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Mark Porter)
 ((Kylie.Madry@thomsonreuters.com;))