In cases of Air Alert where the Navigation Services in Mexican Airspace do not have information on unauthorized flights, the Center will share the available information as a measure of Airspace Safety and protection of civil aviation. When informed by the Navigation Services in Mexican Airspace of the Detection of an 'interest track,' an unauthorized flight. Furthermore, Mexican law establishes in its article 23 that 'the procedure for Air Interception in national airspace will prioritize the flexible use of Mexican Airspace, as established by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
To this end, the Mexican law adds in the same article, 'navigation services in Mexican Airspace will segregate airspace in favor of aircraft in compliance with these actions, which will have priority in carrying out their mission.
Claudia Sheinbaum, president, assured that U.S. military flights over Mexico are not a cause for alarm, as 'they are flying over their territory.' However, it was revealed that at least one of the flights, carried out by the Boeing P-8A Poseidon in the Gulf of California on February 3, did cross controlled Mexican airspace without authorization.
According to information, the U.S. military aircraft flew at a dangerous altitude for air traffic and did not communicate its flight plan as required. Mexico divides its airspace into regions, and a Flight Plan is required for controlled airspace. The P-8A Poseidon, in the Gulf of California, operated in an area under Mexican control.
The Secretary of National Defense stated that the flight was carried out outside Mexican airspace, although the unauthorized flight report was notified to the National Center for Airspace Surveillance and Protection. Experts pointed out that the aircraft penetrated Mexican airspace without authorization, according to navigation maps.
The Airspace Protection Law establishes procedures for unauthorized aircraft, such as the activation of interception operations. President Sheinbaum will request cooperation from the U.S. government to obtain information about these incidents.
