Member's Home Forums General Discussion Mexico Mexico shuts down its own airports

With a single 2-page notice to all of its Comandantes, Mexico’s Civil Aviation Authority (AFAC) shut down the country’s airport system affecting hotels, Mexican air charter operators and disrupting travel plans for visiting US and Canadian pilots.

The Stats: There are 77 airports listed in Mexico’s Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and another 1,519 airports for fixed wing aircraft listed on the AFAC’s official airport database for a total of 1,596 total airports.

How airports are classified: Of the 1,519 airports that appear on the official AFAC list or airports, 1,504 are classified as “Service for Private Use” and 15 are classified as “Service for Private Use and 3’rd parties”. It is assumed that the 77 in the AIP are all for General Use (Cancun, Toluca, Puerto Vallarta, etc)

AFAC Ruling: Mexico’s AFAC has issued a ruling (Oficio 4.1.443) that airports classified as “Service for Private Use” can ONLY be used by the airport owner and the only aircraft that can operate there are the airport owner’s aircraft. They have instructed all comandantes to deny flight plans to any of these airports or face severe disciplinary action.

The impact: This prevents any Mexican or foreign registered aircraft to fly to many popular destinations which will have a significant negative affect on hotels that have airstrips (Hacienda de los Santos, Holbox, Punta Pescadero, etc.) and will also have a huge negative effect on Mexican air taxi operators who fly to many of those airstrips. It will also prevent any type of flight to rural communities that might depend on their airstrips for medical and other assistance such as "Doctors Without Borders".

What next: Many airport owners are just now learning about the ruling and are trying to develop a plan of action. While we are not a Mexican law firm, a review of Mexico’s Law and Regulation of Airports does not appear to support this conclusion by the AFAC but that is a matter for the Mexican airport owners and the Mexican courts to figure out to force the AFAC to reverse course. In the meantime, be patient and consider one of the main airports for your stay in Mexico or choose another destination country.