Mexico Charter Permits in 2026: What Part 135 Operators Need to Know

What changed

For years, a US charter operator that flew to Mexico only occasionally could get by on single-entry landing permits, or qualify for limited permits based on how often it flew. AFAC, Mexico's Federal Civil Aviation Agency, has ended that system. Single-entry landing permits for charter flights are no longer available at any Mexican airport, and the frequency-based allowances are gone with them.

The result is one rule for everyone. Whether you fly to Mexico twice a year or twice a week, a Part 135 operator now needs the same authorization before carrying revenue passengers into the country.

What you need now: the Blanket Permit

Charter flights to and from Mexico require an indefinite Blanket Permit issued by AFAC. The permit includes AFAC's validation of your Air Operator Certificate (AOC), and both the permit and the validation must stay current for you to keep operating.

The permit is specific to your fleet. Only aircraft already listed on your validated Blanket Permit are eligible to enter Mexico as charter flights. Adding a tail number is a modification to the permit, with its own processing time, so a newly added aircraft cannot simply be substituted onto a Mexico trip.

How long it takes

Plan in months, not weeks. A new or modified Blanket Permit can take up to 90 business days under good conditions, and often longer. Separately, AFAC's lead time for charter permit requests is now at least 10 business days, up from 5.

If you expect Mexico charter demand in the coming season and do not yet hold a Blanket Permit, the time to start the application is now, before a client asks for the trip.

Insurance has to match exactly

Operations into Mexico require two policies: your worldwide policy and a Mexican liability policy issued by a Mexican insurer. AFAC now requires the details on these policies to match the aircraft's registration certificate exactly, including the name of the registered owner. Using the commercial operator's trade name where it differs from the registration is no longer accepted.

Mismatched insurance paperwork is one of the most common reasons an otherwise complete application stalls, so check every document against the registration certificate before filing.

Every trip is still reviewed

A Blanket Permit is not a standing clearance. AFAC reviews each charter flight individually, and approval must be in hand before each trip. Local airport authorities can also ask to see your documents on arrival.

Charter operators also need to respect Mexico's cabotage rules, which restrict foreign operators from carrying revenue passengers between two points inside Mexico.

Part 91 flights are handled differently

Private, non-revenue flights do not use the Blanket Permit. They enter Mexico on a Single Entry Authorization, known as an AIU, which is issued at the first airport of entry and is valid for 180 days. The older annual and multiple-entry permits for private operators were discontinued at the start of 2024.

Because AFAC is focused on stopping unauthorized charter, private flights can face questions about whether they are truly private, especially when the aircraft also appears on a Part 135 certificate. Carry documentation that shows the nature of the flight.

How Pegasus helps

Pegasus Flight Support prepares and files Blanket Permit applications and modifications, checks your insurance and aircraft documents against AFAC's requirements before they are submitted, and confirms approval before each trip. Once you are cleared to operate, the same team coordinates your ground handling, fuel, and customs at the destination.

• Flying privately? Read the Part 91 checklist
• Ground handling in Mexico
• Airports we handle
• Request a quote

FAQ

Last reviewed September 2026. Mexican aviation regulations change frequently. Confirm current requirements with Pegasus before every trip.