Aeronautical Engineers Urge Authorities to Listen to Industry Experts
Calling for unity within the country’s aviation sector and for authorities to heed the opinions of specialists, María de la Luz Aguilera de Lucio, President of the Mexican College of Aeronautical Engineers (CIMA), marked the celebration of Mexico’s National Aviation Day.
“In everything related to aviation and air transport, we must stand together as one front to demonstrate that we still have the capability to maintain our international standing,” she stated.
Aguilera de Lucio acknowledged that Mexico currently lacks sufficient personnel to uphold operational safety but expressed confidence that this can be addressed, given the skill and capacity of the existing workforce. She emphasized that maintaining professional prestige must be based on meaningful work—“not on simply saying, ‘yes, sir, whatever you say.’”
“We have the technical foundations to express our opinions and to say what’s right and what’s not,” she noted. “Many times, our opinions are requested but not taken into account, and then complaints arise when things don’t turn out well. We must insist that technical opinions prevail—because they ensure safety, drive the industry’s growth, and ultimately build the prestige of both a profession and a country.”
In an interview with A21, Aguilera de Lucio pointed out that, at present, authorities are “not consulting us at all,” explaining that the government is issuing regulatory decisions unilaterally.
She recalled that three professional associations exist by law—the Colleges of Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, and Aeronautical Engineers—and these bodies must be consulted on technical aspects of aviation projects. However, she warned that the message from current authorities seems to be that “this is how things will be from now on.”
Aguilera de Lucio also noted that recent official publications “do not align with the Chicago Convention,” which Mexico, as a signatory, is obligated to respect. Furthermore, she criticized certain regulatory actions that “have gone too far,” ignoring the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
She explained that issues such as determining when low visibility exists at an airport are already defined by ICAO parameters and should not be left to the discretion of on-duty supervisors. For that reason, she reiterated her call for authorities to consider technical input in all matters related to air transport.
Regarding training, she lamented that the first people lacking adequate preparation are often those appointed to institutional leadership positions.
During the event—where CIMA members were recognized for years of professional service—Aguilera de Lucio highlighted that engineers play a crucial role across all areas of the aviation sector, including within the Colleges of Pilots and Controllers.
On the occasion of National Aviation Day, the CIMA President underscored the importance of the aeronautical sector, noting that both the aeronautical and aerospace fields are vital to the country’s economy.
