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Mexico Authorizes Volaris to Use Foreign Crews on Domestic Flights for Holiday Period

Regulators say a temporary wet-lease is necessary to preserve connectivity for roughly 200,000 travelers over 43 days.

Overview

  • AFAC confirmed a temporary wet-lease that lets Volaris operate domestic services with foreign-registered aircraft and their crews.
  • Officials said the arrangement does not amount to cabotage and cited Article 83 Bis of the Chicago Convention, Article 45 of the Aviation Law, and circular CO AV-08.3/20.
  • Pilot groups ASPA and CPAM condemned the authorization as unconstitutional and urged regulators to revoke it, arguing it endangers sovereignty and Mexican pilots’ jobs.
  • CPAM stated the operation is scheduled from December 1, 2025 to January 12, 2026, with reports referencing hires from Lithuania and Malta.
  • AFAC estimated that denying the 43-day plan would disrupt 20 routes and roughly 200,000 passengers, and said Volaris agreed to no reductions in staffing or flight hours.