Mexico Downgraded – No Codeshares Allowed with US Carriers
According to ATW Daily News, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines said they will remove their codes from AeroMexico and Mexicana flights respectively following the US FAA's downgrading late Friday of Mexico's safety rating from a Category 1 to Category 2. FAA said that Mexico is not in compliance with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, noting that it reached the conclusion following an assessment of the country’s civil aviation authority. The downgrade means Mexican airlines are disallowed from launching new service to the US and from codesharing with US airlines. Existing service by Mexican airlines to/from US airports can continue.
Mexico's Communications and Transport Dept. issued a statement to the Associated Press saying the downgrade was owing "exclusively to administrative and organizational matters…The FAA measure does not imply any decline in the safety of civil aviation in Mexico. Mexico's airlines are safe and will continue to offer high quality service, comparable to the highest international standards."
While Mexico has been responsive to the FAA’s findings and has made significant improvements in recent months, it was unable to fully comply with all of the international safety standards. Mexico continues to make progress. The FAA is committed to working closely with the Mexican government and providing technical assistance to help Mexico regain its Category 1 rating.
FAA said that a Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with international standards, or that its civil aviation authority – equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedures.
Source: ATW Daily News, Federal Aviation Authority