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Airlines concerned about safety in Mexico City's airspace
Sean Cudahy
Senior Aviation Reporter
Sean Cudahy is an aviation reporter covering news about airlines, frequent flyer programs and consumer travel issues.
May 08, 2022
•
3 min read
Airlines concerned about safety in Mexico City's airspace
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Multiple international aviation organizations are raising concerns about the air traffic situation in Mexico City, citing an apparent slew of recent safety concerns.
In a letter sent last week to Mexican aviation officials, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents hundreds of airlines, said since last spring there have been 17 ground proximity warning system (GPWS) alerts, which is a situation where a plane could crash unless quick action is taken.
A day after IATA sent its letter to Mexican officials, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations issued its own safety bulletin, mentioning recent cases where planes arrived in Mexico City with low levels of fuel "due to unplanned holding, diversions for excessive delays, and significant GPWS alerts."
The alert said there was a recent case "where one crew almost had a Controlled Flight into Terrain."
The concerns come weeks after the greater Mexico City area saw a second airport open. Felipe Angeles Airport (NLU) opened in late March, outside Mexico City, on the Santa Lucia Military Airbase site. The airport's opening was intended to help relieve congestion at Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX). The two airports are located less than 30 miles apart.
With the new airport operating, that of course means there is now a more complex air traffic situation in the greater Mexico City region, with more planes flying in and out of more locations.
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This is not the first time TPG has reported on air safety concerns in Mexico, though. In spring 2021, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced plans to downgrade Mexico's aviation safety rating.
These red flags over air safety come as travel demand to Mexico has reached an all-time high over the last couple of years.
Related: How pilots avoid colliding with the ground in tricky situations
As part of its letter, IATA requested a meeting with Mexico aviation officials as soon as possible to find the best solution to recent concerns.
In the meantime, the International Federation of Air Lines Pilots advised its crews to carry additional fuel in case the plane has to be diverted or faces prolonged holding prior to landing. The organization also recommended its pilots "exercise heightened terrain situational awareness" when flying in and out of airports in the Mexico City region.
Featured image by Getty Images/EyeEm
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.