MEXICO CITY, December 3, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that Mexico has been upgraded to a Category 1 safety rating for air travel, which means that Mexican air carriers can again add new routes or flights serving the U.S., including expansion of partnership arrangements, or code-sharing flights, with U.S. carriers, offering visitors more convenient and competitively priced options for traveling to Mexico this holiday season and beyond.

“This is excellent news for Mexico tourism,“ said Gloria Guevara, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism. “It should help drive an increase in travel routes and visitors between Mexico and the United States, particularly during this upcoming holiday period.”

According to the FAA announcement, Mexico complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on the results of a November FAA review of Mexico’s civil aviation authority. The FAA went on to praise Mexico Secretary Juan Molinar and Director General Hector Gonzalez Weeks for leading Mexico to make significant progress since it was last reviewed in July 2010. At Mexico’s request, the FAA will continue to provide technical assistance to support and maintain the changes the civil aviation authority has made.

With the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 2 rating, Mexican air carriers could not establish new service to the United States, but were allowed to maintain existing service. Now with the Category 1 rating, Mexican air carriers can again add flights and service to the United States.

“The holidays are a great time for Americans to consider a trip to one of Mexico’s beautiful beaches or tropical resorts, especially as temperatures drop throughout the U.S. in the Winter,” said Alfonso Sumano, regional director for the Mexico Tourism Board for the Americas. “With the restored safety rating from the FAA, visitors can be confident in their security while flying and take advantage of the added air service to discover an area of Mexico they have never experienced or perhaps return to a favorite destination. With 30,000 archaeological sites, 110,000 monuments, 31 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a vast selection of luxurious spas and resorts, there is truly something for everyone.”

Popularity: 1% [?]