Executive travel in parts of Mexico is planned around security as much as around schedule, and charter is a large part of how that is managed. Flying private cuts down the time spent on the ground at both ends of the trip, and on this kind of travel that is usually the reason for chartering.
Shortening the Ground Segment
The general aviation terminal, controlled ramp access and a vehicle meeting the aircraft remove most of the unpredictable ground time that a commercial arrival involves. That is the practical security benefit of charter in Mexico, so arrange it deliberately. It does not come with the aircraft.
Advisory Levels by State
US State Department advisories vary sharply by Mexican state. Guerrero and Zacatecas carry Level 4 Do Not Travel, while Chihuahua and Baja California carry Level 3 Reconsider Travel. We state the level for any airport under discussion before the routing is agreed, and we do not soften a Level 4.
Detail Traveling With the Principal
Where a protective detail flies with the principal, seats and baggage both change, and any question of armed travel involves the operator and Mexican authorities directly. Raise it at first call. It is arrangeable in the right circumstances and it is not something to leave to the day of departure.
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Mexico Patterns We Plan Around
Two things shape almost every Mexico charter regardless of the reason for the trip. The first is lead time. Landing and customs permits are applied for after a trip has been secured on the aircraft schedule, and the timeline is sometimes set by the local airport authorities, so the earlier you book, the more room we have to work with. The second is elevation. Toluca, the main Mexico City private jet gateway, sits at 8,460 feet, and on a warm afternoon its density altitude can pass 11,000 feet, which changes what an aircraft can lift. Felipe Ángeles at 7,369 feet is the less congested alternative. Your advisor will walk you through what your trip needs before you book.
Contact
For a quote on security detail charter in or out of Mexico, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or use our contact page. Our safety page sets out the vetting behind every trip, and the aircraft directory covers the fleet by category. The National Business Aviation Association sets the broader operating standards we work within.