The Union Association of Aviator Pilots of Mexico (ASPA) prepares mobilizations this Mondayin protest against the authorization to hire foreign pilots on Mexican lines.
ASPA accuses hiring of air personnel from Lithuania and Malta
It was reported that they are preparing a peaceful mobilization in the vicinity of the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) at 10 in the morning in Santa Catarina, Coyoacán.
Consulted by this newspaper, It was not specified how many of the 2,500 pilots members of the union will participate. and if will affect some number of flights.
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These pilots belong to various airlines, such as Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Mexicana and Aerocaribe.
A few days ago, the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) authorized the entry into Volaris of pilots from Lithuania and Malta to fly planes in Mexican territory, which contravenes the Mexican Constitution, according to pilots affiliated with ASPA. who asked not to reveal their identity.
They report that at least 12 aircraft (six from Lithuania and six from Malta) with their respective crews will be active in Mexican skies under the Volaris company, at least during the high winter season.
For its part, AFAC explained that the decision was to guarantee connectivity, “since if the temporary lease for 43 days is not authorized,” as requested by Volaris, “20 national routes and 200 thousand passengers will be affected in the December season, which will have a negative impact on the economic benefit for tourism at the end of the year.
Within the ASPA they indicate that Volaris and other airlines have access in the country to hundreds of Mexican pilots fully qualified and available to operate their flights in accordance with the law.
At the moment they see only a peaceful mobilization before the SICT, but they do not rule out taking other measures such as protesting at the Mexico City International Airport due to the lack of response from the authorities.
Legal and permitted by law: INIJA (RELATIVE OR SIDE)
Pablo Casas Liás, director of the Aeronautical Legal Research Institute (INIJA), considered in contrast to the ASPA, that these are contracts that do not contravene the law.
“They temporarily contracted short-term wet leases (includes crew) of aircraft with the flag and registration of another State.”
The air analyst explained that for this reason the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) authorized them, in accordance with the law, to make “wet leases” and, since there is no national provider with that service, they looked for it outside the country.”
“This figure is provided for in the legislation, so it is in accordance with the law, since in exceptional cases, aircraft with foreign registration (…) are allowed.”