The proposed budget for the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) in the 2027 Economic Package has raised concerns within the Mexican aviation industry. The National Chamber of Air Transport (Canaero) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that a reduction in resources for the aeronautical authority could limit its capacity to fulfill its supervisory, certification, and oversight responsibilities .
The federal government proposes allocating 175.45 million pesos to the AFAC , compared to the 657.5 million pesos approved for 2026. The difference represents a reduction of 73.3 percent .
The proposal places AFAC at one of its lowest budget levels since its creation , while maintaining responsibilities related to operational safety and the oversight of airlines, technical personnel, aircraft, airports and training centers.
Industry warns of risks due to budget cuts
In a statement, Canaero and IATA indicated that the adjustment comes at a time when airlines are facing pressure from fuel costs , as well as regulatory and operational challenges stemming from the bilateral relationship with the United States. “All of this demands a strong aeronautical authority, with adequate technical and operational capacity and financial resources for its proper functioning,” they stated.
“However, the 2027 Economic Package proposes measures that move in the opposite direction. The 73% reduction to the AFAC budget weakens the institution responsible for ensuring operational safety, technical oversight, and compliance with international standards,” the document stated.
The concern takes on greater significance when considering the volume of activity that Mexican aviation maintains.
According to the Mexican Transportation Institute (IMT) , 11 million passengers traveled in July 2026 , 0.6% more than in the same month of 2025. In that same period, 93,526 tons of air cargo were transported, an annual growth of 2 percent.
AFAC maintains monitoring and certification agenda
The budget debate also comes after a series of AFAC activities related to monitoring and compliance with international standards.
Last August, the agency reported that it had concluded the evaluation of the International Air Safety Assessment Program (IASA) of the United States Federal Aviation Administration , a process relevant to Mexico’s continued status in Category 1 of air safety.
In July, AFAC also renewed the aerodrome certificates for the Tijuana and Los Cabos airports , after verifying compliance with national and international standards for infrastructure, maintenance, equipment, and operational safety.
Canaero and IATA requested that the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) and the Chamber of Deputies reconsider the scope of the budget reduction and guarantee the necessary resources so that AFAC can fulfill its responsibilities.
The proposal is still part of the discussion process for the 2027 Economic Package. Therefore, the proposed amount does not yet constitute the final budget for the agency.
In response to this concern, on September 10, the AFAC reported that “in 2027 it will have additional resources beyond those foreseen in the 2027 Economic Package, to strengthen its institutional capacities and address the priorities of the national aeronautical sector.”
Without mentioning the exact figure, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) stated that it “will guarantee the necessary resources for the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) to carry out its regulatory, supervisory and monitoring functions, as well as the actions aimed at strengthening operational safety in the country,” according to a press release.
“This measure is consistent with the Mexican government’s vision of consolidating a safe, efficient and constantly growing aviation sector, and recognizes civil aviation as a strategic sector for connectivity and economic development in Mexico,” the agency emphasized.
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