Member's Home Forums General Discussion Mexico Mexico Airports MMUN - Cancun Meetings with ATC in Cancun to address concerns

We have had 4 meetings with ATC so far this year to address concerns expressed by domesitc and foreign pilots flying into the Cancun/Cozumel TCA. The specific issues that were identified as priorities are:
> Avoiding unnecessary maneuvering of VFR aircraft for sequencing. Many pilots complain of having to make 360 degree turns for spacing when traffic volumes have not appeared to warrant such maneuvers.

> Controllers complain of VFR aircraft departing the Playa del Carmen airport that depart runway 11 for Cozumel and enter the Cozumel TCA without immediately communicating with the tower or approach. As the direct route from Playa to Cozumel underlies the approach path for IFR traffic into runway 11 at Cozumel, an aircraft departing Playa can suddenly appear on RADAR climbing into an aircraft on approach to Cozumel triggering an alert and distress. This has caused controllers to instruct VFR aircraft to take circuitous routes to Cozumel causing unnecessary delays.

> Pilots complain of ATC restricting climbs above 1,500 feet until 20-30 NM from the Cancun or Cozumel airports. Maintaining such low altitudes presents a safety risk, causes difficulty with communications and presents an uncomfortable environment for passengers.

Of the 4 meetings, the first was an initial airing of concerns, the second two were to review airspace design and regulations currently in place to establish a common understanding and the fourth was a private meeting between CST and ATC management.

We are planning a 5'th meeting for early May to travel to the Playa del Carment airport to review a proposed departure procedure for aircraft flying to Cozumel from runway 11 at Playa. We all believe that a simple solution is possible without requiring any changes to airspace design or restrictions. As pilots based at the Playa del Carmen airport would be most affected, we are planning to have the meeting there.

Right now there are good intentions and ideas, we now want to see how successful we can be at converting them into positive, actionable items. We will keep everyone posted.