Mexico Approves 875 Million Pesos Budget for Aviation Agency
The approved funding falls significantly short of government promises for civil aviation oversight.
1Budget Approval Discrepancy
The Mexican Chamber of Deputies approved an 875 million peso budget for the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) for 2027. This figure represents only 68 percent of the 1.4 billion pesos previously promised by the Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport, Jesús Esteva, following intense pressure from the national aviation industry.
2Initial Funding Proposals
The initial federal budget project for 2027 had allocated a mere 175 million pesos to the aviation authority. Following widespread industry complaints regarding operational capacity, the government intervened to increase the figure. Despite this adjustment, the final approved amount remains far below the levels requested by stakeholders for effective regulatory oversight.
3Operational Funding Needs
Industry experts and internal assessments suggest that the AFAC requires at least 2 billion pesos annually to function correctly. This funding is essential to address structural failures that previously caused Mexico to be downgraded to Category 2 status by the US Federal Aviation Administration, hindering international flight operations and safety monitoring.
4Historical Budget Context
The current allocation is not the largest in the agency's history. During the previous period of Category 2 degradation, the government injected over 944 million pesos into the agency. The current 875 million peso budget represents a 24 percent real increase compared to the 2026 approved budget, yet fails to meet expectations.
5Revenue Generation Capacity
The AFAC generates approximately 5 billion pesos annually through the issuance of licenses, permits, and various aviation services. Despite this significant revenue stream, the agency remains dependent on the federal budget process for its operational funding, creating a disconnect between the fees collected and the resources actually returned for agency operations.
6Safety and Compliance Goals
The approved decree mandates that the AFAC focus on the supervision, inspection, and verification of air, land, and maritime transport. These actions are intended to strengthen operational safety and ensure compliance with international aeronautical standards, maintaining the current Category 1 safety rating required for expanded operations between Mexico and the United States.
7Legislative Process Status
The budget decree was officially approved by the Chamber of Deputies on November 11. The document is now awaiting the signature and formal publication by President Claudia Sheinbaum. Once signed, this budget will dictate the financial constraints for the agency throughout the 2027 fiscal year, limiting its scope for structural improvements.
8Future Regulatory Outlook
The shortfall in funding raises concerns about the agency's ability to sustain long-term safety improvements. Without the requested 2 billion pesos, the AFAC may struggle to rectify persistent structural issues. Observers will monitor whether the agency can maintain its Category 1 status with these limited financial resources throughout the coming year.
Original article: El Financiero — Mexico Approves 875 Million Pesos Budget for Aviation Agency