All operators traveling to Mexico — private non-revenue, charter (non-scheduled commercial) — follow different landing permit arrangements. Your landing permit process depends entirely on your flight purpose. 

In 2024-2025, Mexico has made several significant changes to the permit process, with major updates affecting charter operations as recently as December 2024. This article covers everything you need to know about Private and Charter Ops permits and cabotage, including blanket permit requirements and what’s considered cabotage in Mexico. 

Recent Timeline and Documentation Changes 

Extended Processing Timelines

AFAC has extended permit processing times across the board: 

• Demo, Charter, and Aerial Photography Flights: Permit requests must be submitted at least 10 business days in advance (previously 5 business days) 

• Blanket Permits (New or Modified): Processing time may now take up to 90 business days under ideal conditions, often longer (previously 30 to 60 business days) 

Stricter Insurance Documentation Requirements

Mexican insurance requirements have become significantly more stringent. Insurance policies must now exactly match the aircraft’s registration certificate, including: 

• Make and model 

• Serial number 

• Tail number 

• Exact registered owner name 

Previously, there was flexibility to use the commercial operator name. That is no longer accepted—only the exact name on the registration certificate will be approved. Worldwide insurance policies must also reflect the same aircraft details. 

Private Non-Revenue Operations

Single-Entry Authorizations (AIUs)

Starting Jan. 1, 2024, Mexico Annual/Multiple-Entry permits for private operators are no longer available. Instead, AFAC is now issuing AIUs (Authorizations) that are valid for six months. 

However, the situation has become more complex: 

• The actual 6-month validity is not being consistently honored across different airports 

• Most AIUs list crew and passengers, requiring a new AIU when these change 

• Some airports may accept modifications with a payment, while others require a new permit 

When this change was initially announced, it was promoted to have a validity of 180 days and was not supposed to be dependent on having the same crew on each trip. However, as is often the case in Mexico, laws are interpreted differently at different airports by different comandantes. 

Recommendation

Due to these inconsistencies, we now advise that all Part 91 flights obtain a new single-entry authorization for each mission into Mexico. We cannot guarantee that a permit will remain valid for future use based on different interpretations by comandantes at each airport. 

If you have an AIU valid for six months but need to change crew or passengers, it’s best to submit it for review. Some authorities may allow it with a modification payment, while others will require a new permit. 

New Requirements for Private Operations

The required documents for this authorization remain essentially the same but must now include the Layout of Passenger Accommodations from the Cargo and Balance manual. 

Charter Operations

Charter Operations Update

Universal Weather and Aviation has confirmed with AFAC that single-entry landing permits for charter flights are no longer available at any Mexican airport. 

As of December 2024, the permit landscape for charter operations has fundamentally changed. Previous systems that allowed one-time permits, limited frequency-based permits (three per year), or varying requirements by airport have been eliminated. 

Current Mandatory Requirements

All charter operators must now hold an indefinite Blanket Permit that includes AFAC validation of the operator’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC). Both the Blanket Permit and AOC validation must remain current for operations to and from Mexico. 

There are no exceptions based on flight frequency — every charter operator requires a validated Blanket Permit, regardless of whether they fly to Mexico once a year or weekly. This universal requirement applies to all charter operators across all Mexican airports. 

How the Current System Works

• Individual flight review — Each trip is evaluated by AFAC, including verification of operator credentials, aircraft registration, and pilot details before approval 

• Pre-listed aircraft only — Only aircraft already included on your validated Blanket Permit are eligible for entry. Unlisted aircraft will be denied 

• Ground-level verification — Local Comandancia authorities will also review aircraft documentation, insurance, and crew documents before approving flights 

• Pending updates — Operators may continue flying aircraft already covered by a valid Blanket Permit, even if permit updates are in process. However, aircraft not yet listed on the permit cannot operate 

• Possible one-time exceptions — AFAC is evaluating whether temporary approvals may be granted for aircraft in the process of being added to a Blanket Permit or AOC. No official confirmation yet 

• Increased enforcement — Expect stricter sanctions for cabotage violations or operations conducted without proper permits 

New: Co-Responsibility Undertaking Scenarios

Two additional situations have emerged where operators may request support: 

Operator already holds a Blanket Permit, but the aircraft is not yet under validation 

• In this case, Universal may provide support subject to the operator executing a co-responsibility undertaking letter with us, filed with AFAC. 

• This confirms shared accountability while the inclusion process is initiated without delay. 

Operator has not yet applied for a Blanket Permit 

• The operator may submit the same co-responsibility undertaking letter and immediately begin the Blanket Permit application process. 

• This allows coordination of operations under a shared responsibility framework while advancing through the application. 

⚠️ Important: These measures are not yet supported by formal documentation, only verbal guidance from AFAC personnel. Operators should not interpret this as a substitute for securing a validated Blanket Permit. 

Blanket Permit Requirements

Obtaining a Blanket Permit is now mandatory for all charter operations. The process is complex and requires: 

• Significant lead time — Minimum 90 days under ideal conditions, often longer 

• AFAC-validated AOC — Must be obtained first, then kept current 

• Extensive documentation — Beginning with the Mexico AOC application, followed by the Blanket Permit application 

• Specific aircraft equipment — Only aircraft equipped with ELT, CVR, FDR, TCAS II, TAWS/GPWS, and Transponder can be listed on the permit. Some of this equipment may not be required for U.S. operations but is mandatory in Mexico 

• Professional assistance recommended — Working with a third-party provider is strongly advised to navigate this process 

What to Do Now

If you operate charter flights to Mexico and don’t currently hold a validated Blanket Permit: 

1. Start the application process immediately — minimum 90-day lead time 

1. Review your AOC status — Ensure it’s current and AFAC-validated 

1. Verify aircraft eligibility — Confirm all aircraft meet equipment requirements 

1. Update documentation — Ensure aircraft records, insurance, and crew documents are current 

1. Avoid scheduling flights — Until your Blanket Permit is in place and validated 

Failure to meet these requirements will result in denied flights, operational delays, or regulatory penalties. 

Cabotage Rules Update

Always consult with our team for specific case evaluations regarding cabotage issues. Cabotage is a sensitive matter, and we want to ensure that operations are correctly assessed. Our team can help determine whether a particular operation falls under general rules or if it qualifies as an exception. 

Tips for Operators 

• Bring all necessary regional paperwork 

• Consider processing a Mexican insurance policy in advance if needed 

• Ensure insurance documentation exactly matches aircraft registration — no exceptions 

• For charter operations, a Blanket Permit is now mandatory — single-entry permits are no longer available 

• Allow extra time for all permit processing — timelines have been extended 

• Always consult with a third-party provider for the latest information before operating in Mexico 

Conclusion

The current permit situation in Mexico remains fluid. Private operators should continue requesting a new single-entry authorization for each operation due to inconsistent interpretations of AIUs by local comandantes. 

For charter operators, the landscape has fundamentally changed. All charter operations now require a validated Blanket Permit with no exceptions. Operators may explore the limited co-responsibility undertaking pathway, but this is only an interim measure, not a substitute for the Blanket Permit. 

The recent changes to processing timelines, insurance documentation, and operational oversight affect all operators and must be factored into trip planning. These stricter requirements represent Mexico’s continued tightening of aviation regulation. 

Before operating into Mexico, consult with your third-party provider to ensure you are working with the latest information. Universal is monitoring AFAC communications closely and will provide updates as official guidance is released.