Immigration authorities at the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo International Airport have added a new twist to the Mexican Entry Authorization process. They have taken the position that since the new entry authorization is called Autorización de Internación Unica (Single Entry Authorization) then it is only valid for a single entry. This is despite the fact that the intent is for it to function as a 6 month multiple entry authorization. Due to this, they have used this as an excuse to charge an extraordinary fee to private aircraft based on an article in the Mexican tax code. Ironically, the last sentence of that article states “In the case of private aircraft that are used for the private transportation of passengers without profit, the fee for extraordinary immigration services referred to in this section will not be paid.” In other words, the law specifically says that the fee they are going to charge does not apply to non-commercial general aviation flights.

We investigated the cost/benefit of then requesting a new entry authorization but were told that we could not do that because a valid entry authorization already exists and they will not issue a new one.

You might wonder why Immigration would weigh in on a civil aviation matter and why, if they have concluded that the permit is only valid for a single flight (despite its well-known intent), they would still receive the flight for an additional fee which is specifically prohibited by law? Well, we had that same question and when we queried, we received all the above in writing. You just can’t make this stuff up.

CST Flight Services (Formerly: Caribbean Sky Tours)
www.cstflightservices.com