There has been information posted about specific airports and individual experiences. We have had our customers flying to Mexican Airports Of Entry (AOE) all throughout the country these last 4 days which allows us a broad view of what is going on. Not surprisingly, we are seeing a wide range of interpretations and applications of the new procedure.

One new “document” being requested for the Entry Authorization (AIU) is a Layout Of Passenger Accommodations (LOPA). What we recommend is that you should look in the Weight and Balance section of your POH/AFM and scan the page that shows the physical layout of your aircraft as actually configured. Many aircraft models can have multiple cabin configurations so be sure to scan the layout that matches your current aircraft configuration. To satisfy this requirement, AFAC at some airports are taking pictures of the cabin interior, some require a LOPA, and others are just not asking for anything.
Behind the scenes there is a lot of confusion and frustration within the airport AFAC offices as well as the airport and FBO operators. Here are some scenarios playing out across the country to be aware of:

• Time to get an authorization number from AFAC headquarters to finalize the AIU is varying between 5 minutes to 2 days at the same AFAC offices. There is no clear set of circumstances to define why there is this wide variation in time.
• Some AFAC offices cannot obtain the necessary payment form to make payment for the AIU which restricts the processing of the AIU.
• If an aircraft lands at an AOE and the pilot wishes to continue to another airport in Mexico and has yet to obtain an authorized AIU, they may, or may not, be allowed to go. If allowed to proceed, they will likely be required to return to the original AOE. This has been at the discretion of each AFAC office and not surprisingly, there is no consistency. If you are planning a multi-airport trip within Mexico, plan ahead.
• If an aircraft is just landing to drop off passengers, you may be allowed to leave but your authorization may not be ready. In this case, “someone” will need to send you the original AIU when it is available. If you return to the USA, do not receive the original AIU, and subsequently fly to another Mexican AOE, the AFAC office at that airport may require that the original AIU that you never received be canceled and that a new AIU be requested, and you start all over again and pay the fee again.
• Some AFAC offices are taking the position that if you return with different crew and/or different passengers, then an entirely new AIU must be obtained.
• Each time an AIU is requested, pilots will have to pay the approximately $128 USD fee plus whatever processing fees the airport may add on to it.

We must remember that the leadership and staffing of the AFAC at the central and airport levels have been replaced with Mexican military. The new AFAC employees coming on board are unfamiliar with civil aviation and don’t want to make a mistake. Those AFAC employees that remain from the “old guard” are afraid for their jobs. This new procedure does not have clear guidelines to follow. Not a good combination.

We will continue to monitor and hope that over time the procedures will become more standardized. Standardized to what, we will have to wait and see.

Last edited by CST Flight Services; 01/04/24 05:15 PM.
CST Flight Services (Formerly: Caribbean Sky Tours)
www.cstflightservices.com