by Donald Wood
Last updated: 2:00 PM ET, Mon September 11, 2023
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador revealed that
the United States Department of Transportation would elevate the country’s air safety
rating.
According to Reuters.com, President Lopez Obrador made the announcement
during a regular morning press conference, saying that Foreign Minister Alicia
Barcena had been informed about the decision to elevate Mexico from Category 2
back to Category 1.
“This is good news,” President Lopez Obrador said. “All of
the requirements have been met.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded
Mexico to Category 2 in 2021, but the U.S. agency has worked for more than
two years with civil aviation authorities to improve the safety rating.
In response to President Lopez Obrador’s comments, an FAA spokesperson
said the agency “expected to conclude the process in the near future,” but did
not reveal an exact date. The announcement could come as early as this week.
In June, data from Diana Olivares, head of Mexico's air
transportation chamber and LATAM Airlines' (LTM.SN) country manager, indicated
that the decision by FAA authorities to downgrade Mexico’s air safety rating cost
Mexican national airlines more
than a billion dollars.
In August, the Mexican government announced plans to operate
a military-run airline after purchasing the now-defunct carrier Mexicana
de Aviacion for $48 million. Also last month, American Airlines, Delta Air
Lines, Air Canada and WestJet announced new
routes from North America to Cancun and Cozumel.
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