The International Flight Information Manual (IFIM)

Aeronautical Information: Mexico

Designated Authorities

1A. Civil Aviation

1B. Civil Aviation

2. Meteorology

3. Customs

4. Immigration

5. Health

6. Animal Quarantine

7. Plant Quarantine

8. Air Navigation and Airport Charges

9. Aircraft Accident Investigation

Aeronautical Information Services (AIS)

1. AIS Headquarters

2. International NOTAM Office (NOF)

Air Traffic Services (ATS)

1. Responsible Service

2. ATS Units Contact List

Airports of Entry (AOE)

The categories of airports are:

Airport Links

     Mexican Airports

     World Aero Data -- Mexico Airports

Aeronautical Information Publication

1. Available Online

     Not Available

Additional Remarks

1. United States International Aviation Restrictions

     Check Here

2. Further Entry Requirements

     Not Available

     Departing for Mexico:

       1. A flight plan must be on file for all flights in Mexican territory. All private aircraft transiting Mexico via coastal cities (both Pacific and Gulf) must give at least 24 hours advance notice to Mexican authorities.

       2. Rented aircraft, business or corporate aircraft, and all helicopters must obtain a written permit at least 5 working days in advance from the Departmento de Transporte Aereo Internacional, Direccion General De Aeronautica Civil, Providencia 807, Piso 2, Col. Del Valle, 03200 Mexico City, Mexico D.F.(Telephone +52 5523 2815; Fax +52 5523 3419 or +52 5523 7207 Telegraphic Address: None; AFTN None).

       3. All requests must include:

         a. Name, nationality, address, and business of aircraft operator.

         b. Complete route of flight from point of origin to final destination, including airports of landing in Mexico.

         c. Purpose of flight.

         d. Type, nationality, and registration marks of aircraft and date of Aircraft Airworthiness Certification and certification number.

         e. Name, nationalities, and license numbers of crew members.

         f. Payment for all services, including avgas, must be made in cash, in Mexican currency (pesos).

       4. Nonscheduled commercial flights should also submit:

         a. Certified copies of the Aircraft Airworthiness Certificate and the aircraft operators license.

         b. Copy of the charter agreement.

         c. Evidence or assurance that all licenses of crew members or other legalities of the trip are valid and that the aircraft and crew can adhere to all clearances and requirements while in Mexican airspace.

       5. Aircraft rented without pilot will be permitted to enter the country provided they are single engine or twin engine with a maximum capacity of (8) eight. If they are multi-engine or have a greater capacity they require previous written permission (see above).

       6. To enter Mexican territory, foreign civil aircraft for private use destined exclusively for recreation or private use, must fulfill the following requirements and in accordance with Circular TAI-FAL Number 1 dated April 20, 1990:

         a. Jet or turbine aircraft must use the entry and departure of Mexico any of the following airports: Acapulco, GR.; Aguascalientes, AGS; Cancun, QR; Campeche, CAMP; Cosumel, QR; Ciudad Acuna, COAH; Ciudad Juarez, CHIH; Bahias de Huatuico, OAX; Guadlajara, JAL; Chihuahua, CHIH; Chetumal, QR; Culiacan, SIN; Hermosillo, SON; Guaymas, SON; La Paz, B.C.S.; Leon, GTO; Manzanillo, COL; Matamoros, TAMPS; Mazatlan, SIN; Mexicali, B.C.N.; Mexico City; Meridam YUC; AEROPUERTO DEL NORTE, Monterrey, N.L.; AEROPUERTO MARIANO ESCOBEDO, Monterrey, N.L.; Loreto, B.C.S.; Nogales, SON; Nuevo Laredo, TAMPS; Piedras Negras COAH; Puerto Vallarta, JAL; San Jose Del Cabo, B.C.S.; Tampico, TAMPS; Tapachula, CHIS; Reynosa, TAMPS; Saltillo, COAH; San Felipe, BCN; Tijuana, B.C.N.; Toliuca, State Of Mexico; Terreon, COAH; Veracruz, VER; Villahermosa, TAB; and Zihuatanejo, GRC.

         b. Single engine or twin engine aircraft can only use (for entry or departure from Mexico) one of the following international airports: Northern Zone (for flights to or from the northern border of Mexico): Tijuana, B.C.N.; Mexicali, B.C.N.; Nogales, SON; Hermosillo, SON; Ciudad Juarez, CHIH; Ciudad Acuna, COAH; Piedras Negras, COAH; Nuevo Laredo, TAMPS; Reynosa, TAMPS; Matamoros, TAMPS; Ensenads, B.C.N.; San Jose Del Cabo, B.C.S.; San Felipe, B.C.N.; Loreto, B.C.S.; AEROPUERTO DEL NORTE, Monterrey, N.L.; AEROPUERTO MARIANO ESCOBEDO, Monterrey, N.L.; Chihuahua, CHIH; and Guaymas, SON. South/Southeastern Zones: (for flight to or from the south/southeastern borders of Mexico): Bahia De Hautulco, OAX; Tapachula, CHIS; Chetumal, QR..; Cozumel, QR..; Cancun, QR.; Merida, YUC; and Campeche, CAMP.

       7. The crews and passengers who fly in these aircraft must:

         a. Fulfill the requirements of custom, immigration and health in the international airports where they enter and depart from Mexico.

         b. Fulfill the requirements of the law of the general ways of communication, as well as the requirements of the aviation authorities of owners country in regard to the type, nationality and registration, weight, instruments, and accessories for security and first aid.

         c. Follow the airways previously established by the Secretariat of Communications and Transport.

         d. Observe the procedures contained in the information publication Aeronautica P.I.A. DE MEXICO.

         e. The aircraft pilots must, employing a communications system, advise the aeronautical authorities of the international airport closest to the point they plan to cross the Mexican border.

         f. In the case of jet aircraft which will overfly the border airports, the pilots must make contact with the control center for air transit.

       8. In conformity with that set forth in articles 343 and 352, as amended, of the law of the general ways of communications, the operator of the aircraft must have an insurance policy which guarantees the indemnification for damages which could caused to persons or things in Mexican territory, during the period that air operations are being conducted in Mexico.

       9. In the international airport of entry, the pilot of the aircraft must:

         a. Fill out and sign form GHC-001 requesting customs and immigration authorization.

         b. Submit form GHC-001, to the airport commandant for approval. The pilot will keep the original form on board the aircraft and should show it to the Mexican authorities when requested. Once these entry formalities have been completed, the aircraft can freely operate in Mexican territory, following the decrees indicated on the permit and in the law of general procedures of communications and its regulations.

       10. At the airport of departure in Mexico, the pilots must turn in the original of form GHC-001 to the airport commandant.

       11. The aircraft must operate and leave Mexico with the same persons and crew on board as indicated in form GHC-001.

       12. The provisions of this circular are subject to the principle of reciprocity and, in addition, will not take effect for aircraft registered in those countries which do not grant the same opportunities to private Mexican aircraft.

       13. Permission will be required from the Director General of Civil Aviation in any of the following cases:

         a. When the aircraft are rented with more than 8 places for passengers.

         b. When the capacity of the aircraft is greater than 16 passenger seats.

         c. When the aircraft is a helicopter of any type or capacity.

       14. The permission must be requested in writing, at least 5 working days before the scheduled date of the trip. The request should be sent to Direccion General De Aeronautica Civil Departmento De Tranporte Aereo Internacional. Providencia 807 2 Piso. Col Del Valle, 03100 Mexico City, Mexico. Telephone: +52 5523 2815; Fax: +52 5523 3419.

       15. This information repeals information contained in Circular T.A.I. FAL 1 dated January 12, 1983.

       16. Proof of citizenship and photo ID. Tourist card is required. Tourist card valid 3 months for single-entry up to 180 days, $20 fee, requires proof of U.S. citizenship, photo ID, and proof of sufficient funds. Visa not required of U.S. citizens for tourist/transit stay of up to 30 days. Obtain tourist cards in advance from Consulate, Tourism Office, and most airlines serving Mexico upon arrival. Departure tax $10 is paid at airport when not included in the cost of the airline ticket. Notarized consent from parent(s) required for children under age 18 traveling alone, with one parent, or in someone else’s custody. For details and information on other types of travel, check with the Embassy of Mexico, 1911 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006 (202/736-1000) or nearest Consulate General: AZ (602/242-7398), CA (213/351-6800, 415/392-5554 and 619/231-8414), CO (303/331-1110), FL (305/716-4977), GA (404/266-1913), IL (312/855-1380), LA (504/522-3596), NY (212/689-0460), PR (809/764-0258) or TX (210/227-1085, 214/630-7341, 713/542-2300, 512/478-9031 and 915/533-4082).
http://embassyofmexico.org

3. Corporate Aircraft Constraints

     None reported.

4. Special Notices

     1. Air navigation services in Mexico are not free; however, for aircraft weighing less than 40,000 kilograms and charters, the charges for these services have been included in the price of aviation fuel. Pilots of aircraft weighing in excess of 40,000 kilograms must pay for each individual service as he/she uses it, but will be charged a lower price for aviation fuel. For aircraft weighing less than 40,000 kilograms and chartered aircraft, the fuel price includes the normally separate landing fee, as well as 2 days of parking.

     2. Importation of firearms is prohibited.

     3. Proprietors or owners of the aircraft must guarantee redemption, through an authorized institution, for damages that people or goods may suffer while on the ground. The following is a list of the coverages which must be provided while on Mexican territory:

     a. In the case of death or total permanent incapacity, the sum equivalent to 6780 days of general minimum wage.

     b. In the case of partial permanent incapacity, the sum equivalent to 2712 days of general minimum wage.

     c. In the case of injuries which cause total non-permanent incapacity, the sum equivalent to 1500 days of general minimum wage.

     d. In the case of injuries which cause partial non-permanent incapacity, the sum equivalent to 1350 days of general minimum wage.

     e. The redemption for objects damaged on the ground will be up to the equivalent of 12,500 days of general minimum wage. The insurance may be acquired from any Mexican insurance company, which usually offers their services at international airports.

     4. Visual Night Flights. VFR flight plans for airplanes desiring to leave Ciudad Juarez, Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Tijuana, and Mexicali to fly towards the United States during the night may be approved subject to the following requirements:

     a. Existing weather conditions shall be visible all along from the departing airport to the destined airport.

     b. The flight path must be within the control zone of the departure airport until the United States of America border is crossed.

     c. The flight must be concluded with the operational hours of the airport of departure. Radio communications must be maintained with the air traffic control tower until advised of frequency change.

     d. All applicable regulation of international operations are in effect.

     e. There is a $10.00 per person tax collected by the Mexican customs on all scheduled air carrier and general aviation passengers leaving Mexico.

     f. Flights may be made only with prior authorization from Direccion General De Aeronautica Civil.

     5. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been advised by the State Department that in Baja California, Mexico, private pilots may purchase fuel only at: Tijuana, Mexicali, Loreto, LaPaz, Los Cabos, and Guerrero Negro. FAA has also been advised by the State Department that in order to purchase fuel which will not be put directly into the aircraft at these airports, the pilot must present the following documents:

     a. A written application explaining how the fuel will be used;

     b. An original and photocopy of the airworthiness certificate; and

     c. Copies of the most recent entries of the pilot's log.

     6. Nonscheduled commercial, private, and official aircraft that operate in the Benito Juarez (Mexico City) International Airport will be subject to the following rules:

     a. IFR departures and arrivals of single-engine piston aircraft are permitted only from 1600-2300 UTC.

     b. IFR operations from or towards noncontrolled airports within a 100 NM radius of the Mexico City Airport are permitted only from 1600-2200 UTC.

     c. VFR flight plan operations by turbojet aircraft are prohibited.

     d. Local flights are prohibited.

     e. Flight plans should be filed with the SENEAM flight dispatch office not more than two (2) hours or less than thirty (30) minutes before the ETD. Notify the SENEAM flight dispatch office of any ETD variation greater than thirty (30) minutes.

     f. Pilots should contact ground control fifteen (15) minutes before their ETD to receive a sequence number and engine starting time. Call clearance delivery ten (10) minutes prior to ETD for IFR clearance.

     g. Pilots who do not call ground control before their ETD or who are not ready at the engine starting time indicated by ATC will lose their assigned sequence number and will be assigned a new number.

     h. Transponders shall be operated as indicated in AIC 3/86.

     i. Flights departing IFR during peak hours will be handled as follows: From 1300-1400 UTC the SENEAM dispatch service will only accept flight plans filed for compatible turbojet and/or turboprop aircraft with a cruising speed of 250 knots or greater. SENEAM will adjust proposed departure times to provide at least four (4) minutes between proposals or ETDs.

     7. Fees (approx 3.77 million pesos to $1240.00) imposed for use of congested airspace at Mexico City are applied to both domestic and international private aircraft, air taxis, and official aircraft . If landing occurs in peak hours, with the subsequent departure in non-peak hours, 75 percent of the fee will be charged.

Updated:
20041109

Air Traffic Organization: Operations Planning- International