Mexico's AFAC Publishes New Slot Allocation Guidelines for Saturated Airports
Why It MattersThe reform signals Mexico's move toward IATA-aligned slot governance, potentially reshaping competitive access and capacity management at the country's busiest airports.
Mexico's Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) has published in the Official Gazette of the Federation new General Guidelines for the Allocation of Landing and Takeoff Slots and Aircraft Turnaround Priorities at civil airports declared to be at Level 3 saturation. The guidelines implement an airport reform published in June to the Regulations of the Airports Act, translating that legal change into daily airport operations and aiming to align Mexico's capacity management with standards promoted by the International Air Transport Association.
The guidelines define the responsibilities of each stakeholder in the slot allocation chain, seeking impartial, non-discriminatory, technically sound and efficient capacity allocation at congested airports while maximizing use of available infrastructure without compromising safety.
The framework also introduces rules to encourage new market entrants and establishes oversight mechanisms including a Reserve Fund for New Entrants, monitoring of improper slot use, a Delays Subcommittee, and Semiannual Capacity Studies.
