FAA to bar Mexican airlines from adding new US flights over safety concerns

The U.S. government is preparing to downgrade Mexico’s aviation safety rating, a move that will bar Mexican carriers from adding new U.S. flights and limits airlines ability to carry out marketing agreements, four sources briefed on the matter said.

Downgrading Mexico from Category 1 to Category 2 will mean current U.S. service by Mexican carriers is unaffected, but they cannot launch new flights and airline-to-airline marketing practices, like selling seats on each other’s flights in code-share arrangements, are restricted.   Mexico is by far the single largest U.S. international air destination during COVID-19 as travel restrictions have prevented Americans from visiting much of Europe. In April, there were nearly 2.3 million passengers on U.S-Mexico flights - more than three times the next highest country.