Flying a Private Jet to Mexico: The Part 91 Checklist
Pegasus Flight Support · Updated September 19, 2026 · 5 min read
Key Points
- Private flights enter Mexico on a Single Entry Authorization (AIU), valid for 180 days.
- The AIU is issued on arrival at your first airport of entry, based on information sent before departure.
- You need two insurance policies: your worldwide policy and a Mexican liability policy from a Mexican insurer.
- Your first landing in Mexico must be at an airport of entry with customs and immigration.
- Annual and multiple-entry permits for private operators were discontinued at the start of 2024.
The entry authorization: AIU
Private, non-revenue flights enter Mexico on a Single Entry Authorization, known by its Spanish initials as an AIU. It replaced the annual and multiple-entry permits that private operators used for years, which AFAC, Mexico's Federal Civil Aviation Agency, discontinued at the start of 2024.
Despite the name, an AIU is not limited to one flight. It is valid for 180 days from the date the aircraft first arrives, and during that period you can make multiple international trips and fly between airports inside Mexico, as long as the original document stays on board. The validity is tied to the crew declared on it, so a crew change can mean a new authorization.
What to send before you depart
The AIU is issued when you arrive, but the work happens beforehand. Flight, aircraft, and crew information has to be provided to the local authorities in Mexico before the aircraft departs. AFAC also requires the passenger accommodation layout from the aircraft's weight and balance manual.
Operators who show up with incomplete information are the ones who spend their first hours in Mexico in the airport office instead of on the way to the hotel.
Insurance
Mexico requires two policies: your standard worldwide policy and a separate Mexican liability policy issued by a Mexican insurance company. The aircraft details and the owner's name on both must match the registration certificate exactly. A policy written under a trade name or management company that differs from the registration is a common reason for delays.
Land first at an airport of entry
Your first landing in Mexico must be at an airport of entry, where customs, immigration, and the civil aviation office can process the aircraft, crew, and passengers. The same applies in reverse: your last departure from Mexico needs to be from an airport of entry. Operating hours for these offices vary by airport, so confirm them before filing.
Passenger and crew data
US Customs and Border Protection requires an eAPIS filing for the departure from the United States and another for the return. Mexico also requires advance passenger information for arriving and departing flights. Names and passport details must match the travel documents exactly.
Be ready to show the flight is private
AFAC has been focused on stopping unauthorized charter, and one side effect is that genuine private flights are sometimes questioned. This comes up most when an aircraft's paperwork suggests commercial use, for example when the same aircraft also appears on a Part 135 certificate. Carry documentation that makes the private nature of the flight clear, and expect that the passengers' relationship to the owner or operator may be asked about.
Documents to have on board
How Pegasus helps
Pegasus Flight Support sends your information ahead, checks your insurance and aircraft documents before you leave, and coordinates the handler who meets the aircraft and walks your crew and passengers through the arrival process. We also arrange fuel, parking, and ground transportation at the destination.
- Handler or trip support provider? Who does what
- Ground handling in Mexico
- Flying charter instead? Read the Part 135 permit guide
- Request a quote
FAQ
Do private flights need a permit to fly to Mexico?
Private, non-revenue flights need a Single Entry Authorization (AIU). It is issued on arrival at the first airport of entry and is valid for 180 days.
Can I make more than one trip on a single AIU?
Yes. During the 180-day validity you can make multiple international trips and fly within Mexico, as long as the original AIU stays on board and the declared crew remains the same.
Do I need Mexican insurance for a private flight?
Yes. Mexico requires a liability policy issued by a Mexican insurer in addition to your worldwide policy, and the details on both must match the aircraft registration certificate exactly.
Last reviewed September 2026. Mexican aviation regulations change frequently. Confirm current requirements with Pegasus before every trip.