TUM AeroCarga denied for US ops after FAA downgrades Mexico air safety rating

Mexico-based TUM AeroCarga will not be allowed to conduct U.S. operations with its own aircraft and crew but has been approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct cargo charters via either codeshare or wet lease, according to a July 22 notice. [caption id="attachment_95092" align="alignright" width="450"] One of TUM AeroCarga's two 737-400Fs that were formerly Combi aircraft in Alaska Airlines' fleet. Photo/Alaska Airlines[/caption] The carrier had initially requested a U.S. foreign air carrier permit in March, with the plan of operating 737-300 and -400 freighters as well as Bombardier CL-600s in all-cargo charter service between Mexico and the U.S., as well as point-to-point in the U.S. and to third countries. At the time, Kalitta Charters II, IBC Airways and IFL Group objected to the request, citing concerns around reciprocity and competition between U.S. and Mexico-based carriers, as well as safety concerns for cargo operations not governed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. TUM then responded to clarify that it was not seeking cabotage rights. However, since the initial request, the FAA has downgraded the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority to Category 2 under the International Aviation Safety Assessment due to those same safety concerns, which will temporarily halt TUM’s plans for U.S. foreign air carrier authorization. The downgrade “will unfortunately prevent TUM from obtaining the Part 129 operations specifications it requires from the FAA until Mexico has been restored to Category 1 states,” said TUM AeroCarga counsel in a filing to amend its original application. “Though TUM’s application contemplated operations to and from the United States with its own fleet of aircraft, the carrier wishes to express its willingness to accept economic authority contingent upon an approved codeshare, wet lease, blocked space or similar arrangement using an appropriately authorized U.S. or foreign air carrier to operate the flights.” TUM plans to renew its original request when Mexico is reinstated to Category 1 status, according to the filing. Mexico’s Deputy Transport Minister Carlos Moran told Reuters that he hopes Mexico will recover its Category 1 status within three months of the May 25 downgrade. A previous downgrade in 2010 lasted for four months. As for the objections, the DOT noted that TUM’s plans for charters fall within bilateral agreements between the U.S. and Mexico, since TUM does not seek to conduct cabotage. “We also find no merit in the assertions of the objecting carriers regarding unfair economic advantages,” the DOT said in the notice. “We again note that the services at issue are bilaterally authorized, and we see nothing in the arguments presented that would lead us not to honor such bilateral rights, especially considering that we do not afford U.S. carriers with first refusal rights on foreign air carrier applications.”

TUM AeroCarga denied for US ops after FAA downgrades Mexico air safety rating

Carrier can conduct cargo charters via wet lease, codeshare

The 7 combination carriers that derived at least half of transport revenue from cargo in 2020

DOT reimposes charter limits on US, China flights

DOT reimposes charter limits on US, China flights

Cargo Facts Free Newsletters

Cargo Facts Connect Podcast

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password