Illegal ASA and INM Charges to Private Aviation (1998)
Informational notice published by FEMPPA regarding allegedly improper charges imposed on private non-commercial aircraft by Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) and Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM). The document reproduces a 1997 AMPPA circular citing legal provisions that exempted certain private aviation operations from migration fees and airport service charges.
We have received multiple requests for additional information regarding improper charges imposed by ASA (Airports and Auxiliary Services). The relevant provisions were published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 5, 1994.
On this matter, the President of AMPPA sent the following circular more than one year ago.
MEXICAN ASSOCIATION OF PILOTS AND AIRCRAFT OWNERS, A.C.
TO AMPPA MEMBERS:
This association has received complaints regarding charges demanded at certain international airports from private aircraft or their occupants by representatives of the National Migration Institute (INM) or Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA). We therefore wish to remind members of the following:
With respect to INM charges, such charges are unlawful because the current Federal Duties Law, Article 14-A, Section II, first paragraph, states:
"IN THE CASE OF PRIVATE AIRCRAFT USED FOR PRIVATE PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION WITHOUT PROFIT MOTIVE, NO FEE SHALL BE PAID FOR EXTRAORDINARY MIGRATION SERVICES."
With respect to ASA charges, such charges are unlawful because the provisions governing ASA, published by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 5, 1994, establish in Article 18, Section IV:
"AIRCRAFT SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY LANDING FEES WHEN LANDINGS ARE MADE EXCLUSIVELY TO COMPLY WITH HEALTH, IMMIGRATION, OR CUSTOMS FORMALITIES, PROVIDED THAT NO ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS OF EMBARKATION OR DISEMBARKATION OF PASSENGERS, CARGO, MAIL, OR BAGGAGE ARE CONDUCTED."
Additionally, Article 18, Section III, and Article 23, Section III, of the same provisions establish exemptions from landing and ramp fees for aircraft that:
"MUST REFUEL AT AN AIRPORT OTHER THAN THEIR POINT OF ORIGIN, INTERMEDIATE STOP, OR DESTINATION DUE TO A LACK OF FUEL AT THOSE LOCATIONS."
AMPPA maintains copies of the documents cited above, which are available to its members.
Xalapa, Veracruz
May 31, 1997
Dr. Mario de la Garza García
President
(Translated in June 2026 by ChatGPT)