Mexico City, May 5.- The International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA) reported that in the last month it has learned of several incidents involving aircraft arriving at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) with fuel shortages due to unplanned waits to land, as well as diversions due to excessive delays.
He also expressed concern about “significant Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) alerts in which a crew nearly had a controlled flight terrain collision or a control-involved terrain collision (CFIT).”
He recalled that the AICM was declared overcapacity in 2014, and the Santa Lucía Military Air Base was converted into a mixed civil-military airport for simultaneous operations between the capital's air terminal and Felipe Ángeles International Airport, which opened on March 21 of this year.
"It appears that with the opening of this newly converted airport, Air Traffic Control (ATC) has apparently received little training and support on how to operate this new airspace configuration."
He added that crews have received clearances that do not comply with the restrictions to avoid impact with terrain on the standard terminal arrival route (STAR). Furthermore, "the appropriate International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) phraseology is not used, which increases confusion about altitude restrictions."
In this regard, IFALPA recommended that crews consider carrying additional fuel to allow for the extended hold and possible diversions. They should also consider that AICM is a high-altitude airport and be prepared to operate in that environment.
He also suggested that crews exercise heightened terrain awareness and adhere "strictly to published altitude restrictions. If you receive a clearance that you find questionable, resolve it to your satisfaction," he added.
