The Federation of Airline Pilots Associations (IFALPA) issued a letter to warn its members about the security risks on their approach to the Mexico City International Airport (AICM), as a result of the opening of the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA).
The pilots’ association is concerned after learning of at least 17 ground proximity alarm events (GPWS), on the runways of the capital’s airport, during April.
“These alarms, without the prompt action of the flight crew, can lead to a controlled impact scenario against the ground without loss of control (CFIT), considered by the industry one of the highest risk indicators in Operational Safety, and with a higher rate of accidents, as well as fatalities”, indicates the document.
This dangerous situation is attributed to the lack of training of the airspace operators after the incorporation of the operations of the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport, near Santa Lucía.
“In the last month, IFALPA has become aware of several incidents related to aircraft arriving at MMMX (AICM) with low fuel states due to unplanned waiting, deviations due to excessive delays and significant GPWS alerts in which a crew almost had a flight. Controlled Into Terrain (CFIT) ”.
The association recalls that the AICM was declared to have excess capacity in 2014 and that, therefore, a new airport was opened at the Santa Lucía Military Air Base, with simultaneous operations between both airports.
However, the concerns are that, for the pilots’ association, the operators have not received sufficient training and that they have instructed the pilots who “do not adhere to the restrictions to avoid a collision on the ground”, indicates the .
In this context, IFALPA asks its associates to carry an additional reserve of fuel that allows them to face prolonged waiting in the air, possible diversions and also to consider that the International Airport of Mexico City (AICM) ‘Benito Juárez’ has a great height.
In addition, it asks pilots that “if you receive a clearance that you consider questionable, resolve the clearance to your satisfaction”, strictly adhering to the altitude restrictions set by the standard.
