María Julia Cordero Confirmed as Head of Argentina’s Civil Aviation Agency After Intervention Period
The decision comes just one day before the intervention period was set to expire and a week before a mission from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) arrives as part of its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
The national government has definitively appointed María Julia Cordero as head of the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC). She had been serving as the agency's Interventor, an organization that reports directly to the National Secretariat of Transportation.
The decision was formalized through the publication of ANAC Resolution 13/2025 (spanish) in the Official Gazette, which states in its preamble that the measure considers “Decree No. 606/24, which established the intervention of the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC), a decentralized body operating within the Secretariat of Transportation of the Ministry of Economy, for a period of 180 consecutive days, and appointed Dr. María Julia Cordero as Interventor.”
The resolution highlights that Cordero “was entrusted with a series of actions aimed at assessing the current situation and promoting a functional reorganization to ensure the proper fulfillment of the institution's mission.”
It also points out that “given that during the specified term the intervention has fully achieved all its assigned objectives, through the regularization and systematization of ANAC's functions, its extension is not considered necessary,” and thus, “it is proposed to appoint Dr. María Julia Cordero as National Administrator of ANAC.”
Consequently, “the President of the Argentine Nation decrees: Article 1.- Appoint, effective January 8, 2025, Dr. María Julia Cordero as National Administrator of the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC), a decentralized body operating within the Secretariat of Transportation of the Ministry of Economy.”
The decision comes just one day before the intervention period was set to expire and a week before a mission from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) arrives as part of its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). The mission will be stationed at Jorge Newbery Airport to review the implemented changes.
The previous evaluation before the new administration’s arrival was unfavorable and cast doubt on maintaining Category 1 status, with potential adverse effects on the country’s aerocommercial activity. This prompted the government to intervene in the agency to address the issues and preserve the current status.
Once she assumed the role of Interventor, Cordero published a report revealing "serious operational and administrative deficiencies, as well as alleged illegal acts within the agency, which raised concerns about the risks they posed to operational safety and civil aviation in Argentina, especially in a context of market liberalization aimed at sector growth with new operators."
The diagnosis detailed “multiple irregularities contributing to what has been described as an inadequate, oversized, and inefficient structure,” in addition to highlighting resource management issues.
The key issues identified in the report by the National Secretariat of Transportation include:
Inherited Debt: ANAC recorded a debt of ARS 3,131,700,676 (around 3 million dollars) at the time of intervention, attributed to the previous administration. This amount is undergoing thorough analysis by the current intervention, as it represents a significant financial burden for the agency, compromising operational capabilities and the execution of key projects. The origin of this debt remains unclear but is linked to resource mismanagement during previous administrations.
Inefficient Fleet Management: ANAC's fleet comprises 14 aircraft, most of which have been grounded for over five years. The report states that these aircraft are either deteriorated or require repairs that were never performed. Three of these aircraft have been appraised at USD 150,000 and are ready for auction as part of a broader plan to sell unused assets. This negligent fleet management has not only resulted in financial losses but also impacted the agency’s operational capacity.
Unnecessary Parking Space Rentals and Unrecognized Improvements: An example of inefficiency is the rental of 84 parking spaces despite having only 18 fleet vehicles, incurring unnecessary costs. Additionally, improvements worth USD 1 million were made to the ANAC headquarters, which were not included in the original contract. ANAC is now negotiating with the property owner to have these improvements acknowledged in future agreements, reflecting poor contract management.
Uncontrolled Fuel Card Issuance: ANAC issued over 600 fuel cards without monitoring associated vehicle mileage. This expenditure amounted to a monthly allocation of ARS 23,440,000, highlighting severe resource control deficiencies. The intervention has started canceling cards not linked to specific operational assignments to address this imbalance.
Irregular Property Occupancy: Of the 63 properties under ANAC’s management, at least 33 are occupied irregularly, either by individuals not employed as airport heads or by entities with expired or irregular contracts. This situation demonstrates a lack of property management oversight, prompting the intervention to initiate a process of notifications and a property survey plan, starting with locations closest to Buenos Aires before expanding nationwide.
Unjustified Structural Growth: Since its inception in 2007, ANAC has experienced structural growth not justified by regulations. Currently, the entity has 103 management positions across five national directorates, 29 simple directorates, and 69 departments. This bloated structure has led to excessive bureaucracy and inefficiency in internal processes. The intervention plans a 40% reduction in executive positions, centralizing dispersed functions such as administration and inspection management.
Irregular Equipment Purchases: A particularly concerning irregularity involves the purchase of 350 computers for USD 1,225,612.50, followed by an additional 122 computers for USD 427,213.50. None of these computers were delivered to the agency, leading to a criminal complaint, though no internal investigation has been launched.
Deterioration of Airport Services: The state of Rescue and Firefighting Services at airports is alarming, with only 60 of 103 fire trucks operational, many without major maintenance for over a decade. The lack of supplies, such as worn tires and expired foam and chemical powders, exacerbates the situation, potentially jeopardizing airport operational safety and risking temporary closures. Regarding ambulances, only two vehicles are operational at Ezeiza and Córdoba airports.
Delays in Procedures and Registrations: The report also notes significant delays in aircraft registration and in certifying Civil Aviation Training and Instruction Centers. The intervention has implemented measures to expedite these processes, including the issuance of provisional registrations to avoid procedural halts. New public service channels, both in-person and virtual, have also been introduced.
Faced with this situation, the Interventor simplified administrative processes and optimized operational safety, aligning reforms with the Open Skies policies promoted by the Secretariat of Transportation.
Based on this analysis, the authorities have implemented “a restructuring plan to ensure transparency and efficiency within the agency, focusing on equal treatment and effectiveness, aiming to end years of administrative disorder and establish a competitive and safe environment for aviation in Argentina.”
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