By Kylie Madry

ACAPULCO Mexico (Reuters) – A year after Mexico was downgraded by the U.S. Federal Aviation Agency, (FAA), representatives of Mexico’s airline and government say it could take several months to regain the coveted Category 1.

On Monday, Mexico’s Civil Aviation Agency received a notice from the FAA stating it had delayed a technical assessment required to restore flight “by some weeks.” This was a major blow for an industry that has been suffering from safety issues in Mexico City’s aviation sector.

Rogelio Jimenez, Deputy Transport Minister, stated that he believes the recovery can be completed by September or November.

Miguel Torruco, Tourism Secretary, stated in an interview that the ministry believes an upgrade “in the coming months.”

In May 2021, the FAA cut Mexico’s rating. Mexico was not able to meet minimum safety standards. The FAA also stated that Mexico’s civil aviation authority lacks the required technical knowledge, personnel training, records keeping, inspection procedures, resolution of safety issues, and other areas.

Mexican authorities promised that it would not take long to regain the rating, but this isn’t the truth.

Walfred Castro (director of corporate communications for VivaAerobus) said Monday to Reuters that it was still unclear when the recovery of Category I will take place. This statement came on Monday during Mexico’s tourist conference at Acapulco.

Castro stated that VivaAerobus offered its simulators for flight safety improvement, but a few recent incidents, such as one in which two Volaris aircraft almost crashed, are causing concern.

Aeromexico has no plans to increase its routes to the United States despite its partnership with Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE 🙂 Aeromexico director of loyalty and banks Rodrigo Sandoval stated.