Mexico to recover U.S. air safety rating next week, president says (updated)

Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV

08/09/2023 15:40

(Updates throughout with detail, context)
       Sept 8 (Reuters) - 
    The U.S. Department of Transportation has informed Mexico's
foreign minister that Mexico will officially recover a
U.S.-given air safety rating next week, Mexican President Andres
Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday.
    Mexico was downgraded by the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) to the Category 2 safety rating more than
two years ago, pausing Mexican airlines' plans to expand new
routes to its northern neighbor.
    The downgrade was a major blow to national carriers, as U.S.
airlines were able to increasingly scoop up market share. Mexico
overhauled its civil aviation law, but faced a number of
roadblocks in recovering the Category 1 rating.
        The FAA carried out a series of audits in the process, 
    wrapping up one in June
     which Mexican officials described as the country's "last."
  
        Minutes from the June audit obtained by Reuters show
that FAA officials raised concerns about Mexico's process for
post-accident investigations and for carrying out medical exams
for sector employees.
  
        "This is good news," Lopez Obrador said in a regular
morning press conference. "All of the requirements have been
met."
  
        Lopez Obrador said the safety rating had been returned
to "the airport," having in the past said the rating was given
to the Mexico City International Airport (AICM), though the
rating applies to Mexico's aviation regulator.
  
       The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.
  

 (Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Andrea Ricci)
 ((Kylie.Madry@thomsonreuters.com;))