Fly Higher: Mexico and China’s New Agreement Opens Opportunities for Airlines

The Federal Aviation Agency (AFAC) of Mexico and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation and Air Transport last Thursday to strengthen air transport between the two countries.

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The new agreement establishes multiple airline designations by each country, whereas before there were only two for each. The route map also increases the number of destinations to five for passengers and four for cargo in each country, currently limited to two. It also covers operations under a code-share agreement, including those made with airlines from third countries.

In general terms, this first memorandum covers aspects such as Environmental Protection, Operational Safety, Civil Aviation Safety, Capacity Building/Staff Training, Infrastructure Development, Consultation and Coordination within the Framework of ICAO and other Regional or International Organizations, and Cooperation, Consultation, and Exchange of Information in the Field of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), with Emphasis on their Regulation, Certification Methods and Standards, Operational Approvals, and their Oversight.

According to statements from AFAC, this Memorandum «addresses the needs of the national aviation industry, which wanted a more flexible bilateral framework allowing them to develop their business planning with certainty, and open new operations to China and Asia.» They also noted that two Chinese airlines have expressed the possibility of resuming their passenger flights to Mexico, while another cargo airline will strengthen its flights at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport.

Before the outbreak of the pandemic, China Southern operated flights between Guangzhou and Mexico City with a stopover in Vancouver, while Hainan Airlines flew between Beijing and Mexico City with a stopover in Tijuana. On the other hand, Aeroméxico flew between Mexico City and Shanghai.

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The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Director-General of the Federal Aviation Agency, General Miguel Enrique Vallin Osuna, and the head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Cui Xiaofeng.