Viva Aerobus concluded the lease of the first three Airbus A320ceo aircraft, owned by Avion Express and crewed by Maltese personnel. These aircraft, operating under the wet leasing agreement, will serve domestic routes including Monterrey, Cancún, Tijuana, and Puerto Vallarta.
Legal Concerns Raised by the College of Aviators in Mexico
The College of Aviators of Mexico has raised significant concerns. In their statement, they claim, “It is concerning that both Viva Aerobús and the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) are overlooking the respective regulations: constitutional (Article 32 of the Constitution), legislative (Civil Aviation Law and Federal Labor Law), and regulatory (regulations to the mentioned laws), no matter how urgent the need of the Mexican operator may be.” This underscores the perceived legal challenges posed by the wet leasing decision.
The Airline Pilots Association of Mexico (ASPA) has been vocal in their opposition. Their official press release states, “Allowing foreign crews to operate domestic and international flights sets a negative precedent in the fight for the respect of the labor rights of Mexican crews.” This highlights the potential impact on labor rights and domestic aviation standards.
Official Response from Viva Aerobus
In response to the criticism, Viva Aerobus stated, “We are undertaking the necessary procedures and training to operate them with our own staff. It is important to note that on all flights operated with these leased aircraft, Mexican crew members of Viva Aerobus – flight attendants, will also participate in attending to passengers and regulation.” They emphasized their commitment to maintaining operations and protecting the interests of their staff and customers.
