FAA safety ruling grounds new flights from S.A. to Mexico

Mexican airlines have been adding service at San Antonio International Airport at a rapid pace because of unprecedented passenger demand, but a Federal Aviation Administration ruling has slammed the brakes on future expansion.

The May 25 ruling downgrades Mexico’s aviation safety rating and bars Mexican airlines from increasing the number of flights or adding service between the two countries.

The FAA said Mexico fails to meet international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations body that oversees global air travel.

The FAA did not look at specific Mexican airlines in its safety review, only the role Mexican aviation regulators play in ensuring air safety in the country.

San Antonio Aviation Director Jesus Saenz Jr. said he’s optimistic the FAA downgrade is a temporary obstacle and the ban on new flights to Mexican destinations could be rescinded quickly.

“Mexico is a very attractive market for the city of San Antonio,” Saenz said. “We hope the situation gets resolved as soon as possible.”

Saenz said the continued shutdown of the Mexican land border, making flights the only way for travelers to get from Mexico to the U.S., and falling coronavirus infection rates have helped spur air travel between the two countries.

The ban on new flights comes

as the number of passengers traveling to and from Mexico has been booming at San Antonio International. The airport saw 74,583 international travelers in April, a 101.5 percent increase from the same month in 2019, nearly a year before the pandemic arrived.

Domestic travel continues to rebound from the COVID-19induced

slump, but it’s still lagging. The number of U.S. passengers was down 24.3 percent at San Antonio International in April from two years ago.

Rating cut

The FAA said the lowering of Mexico’s aviation rating from Level 1, meaning it meets international aviation safety standards,

to Level 2, meaning it doesn’t, results from deficiencies in several areas.

An FAA spokesperson wouldn’t discuss the specifics of its findings, which cover a period that started in October and went through February. A ratings cut usually stems from aviation regulators falling short in inspection procedures, record-keeping,

technical expertise, trained personnel and other areas.

In a statement, the FAA said it would help Mexican aviation authorities improve their safety oversight.

Mexico’s Communications and Transport Department suggested that low staffing due

Ted S. Warren / Associated Press Aeromexico was to replace a regional jet this month with a Boeing 737 that would fly daily from San Antonio. That plans is on hold.