Mexico Air Traffic Incidents Surge 31% in 2025, Safety Concerns Mount

Mexico’s aviation sector is under growing scrutiny after new government data revealed a sharp rise in air traffic incidents and accidents in 2025. According to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), the country recorded 137 air traffic incidents between January and July, a 31% increase compared with the same period last year. The total marks the second-highest level in five years. During the same timeframe, air accidents rose 19% year-over-year, underscoring what experts describe as a troubling trend.

AFAC attributed the incidents to a mix of operational and systemic deficiencies, including inadequate training, lapses in aircraft separation, and communication breakdowns. The agency noted that the data came from the Directorate for Analysis of Aviation Accidents and Incidents (DAAIA) under the Undersecretary of Transport. The figures had not been released for two months due to departmental transitions and updates in reporting.

Recent Example: Mexico City Frequency Collapse

One of the most serious cases occurred at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) when the control tower experienced a frequency collapse at 19:55 hours. The failure disrupted communications with aircraft, forcing several flights—including Aeroméxico flight 551—into holding patterns. Backup systems temporarily kept services running while primary equipment was restored, with priority given to airborne and inbound traffic, according to air navigation authority SENEAM.

Air traffic controllers have voiced concern over systemic risks, warning of “actions and decisions outside standard procedures” that they say have been approved by senior management across multiple administrations. These practices, they argue, have left the decentralized agency in a state of “potential imminent risk” requiring immediate corrective action.

Infrastructure Weaknesses

Aging and unreliable infrastructure compounds the risks. At AICM, the Peñón radar currently functions with only two of its eight required power units, limiting both coverage and trajectory accuracy. Surface radar systems for monitoring taxiways and platforms have been out of service for more than a year. Despite repeated failures, controllers say senior management has not filed the necessary reports or provided proof of component repair or replacement.

The redesign of flight paths to accommodate the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) has also drawn criticism. A report found that none of the redesign’s three stated goals—fuel savings, safer routes, and shorter flight paths—were achieved. Instead, routes were longer, at lower altitudes, increasing both noise pollution and fuel consumption. Testing was incomplete, and maintenance of conventional navigation aids was neglected, further straining safety margins.

Broader Safety Context

On average, Mexico records about 47 air accidents and 195 incidents annually. Controllers cite traffic management issues as one of the most pressing threats to aviation safety. A 2023 report documented 1,594 “frustrated operations” at AICM, including 784 cases in which aircraft on the ground conflicted with planes taking off or landing.

The rise in incidents in 2025 reinforces concerns that without urgent investment in training, technology, and oversight, Mexico’s aviation system could face mounting risks that jeopardize both passenger safety and international confidence in its airspace.


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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, mexicobusiness.news