Mexican pilots from ASPA and CPAM protested at the SICT against the AFAC's authorization for Volaris to use foreign captains on Mexican aircraft via wet lease. While the government will not revoke the 43-day permission starting today, working groups were agreed upon from December 8 to strengthen aviation laws. The pilots argue it violates Article 32 of the Constitution, which reserves aircraft command to Mexican nationals by birth.
This morning, members of the Colegio de Pilotos Aviadores de México (CPAM) and the Asociación Sindical de Pilotos Aviadores de México (ASPA) protested at the facilities of the Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT) demanding a halt to operations with foreign captains on Volaris aircraft. The demonstration stems from the Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil (AFAC)'s authorization for the airline to incorporate seven aircraft from Malta and Lithuania, with foreign crews, on domestic routes for 43 days, from December to mid-January.
The wet lease scheme, which includes crew, was justified by Volaris as a measure to compensate for the grounding of aircraft due to Pratt & Whitney (P&E) engine issues, thereby avoiding flight cancellations. However, the pilots maintain it is not an emergency, as schedules are planned in advance, and they fear it could lead to repeated use of foreign personnel, impacting local jobs. ASPA has raised this concern before against similar measures by Viva Aerobus during the engine crisis, which may last for years.
Following a nearly three-hour meeting at the SICT, an agreement was signed to start working groups on December 8, involving the AFAC, aimed at amending the Ley de Aviación Civil and wet lease regulations. The goal is to reinforce Constitutional Article 32, which bars foreigners from commanding Mexican aircraft, and add 'safeguards' to prevent recurrences.
Jesús Ortiz, ASPA's general secretary, stated: “The AFAC informs us that, from this moment, foreign crews will be flying; it's something we will continue to challenge, but they will be in Mexican crews verifying the foreigners”. He added: “We will not back down. They are violating the Constitution itself”. Ángel Domínguez, CPAM president, stressed: “In our view, Article 32 is very clear: pilots flying Mexican aircraft must be Mexican. Now, it seems we need to make it clearer; let's do it”.
The AFAC will verify the foreign pilots' capabilities, and Volaris assures no impact on labor relations with Mexican captains. While the protests will not stop immediate operations, the union sees the working groups as a chance to 'give teeth' to the law.