Business Aviation
Mexico’s Updated APIS Protocols and Doors Closed Confirmation
Mexico enforces a two-step APIS submission for all international flights, including private jets, with strict timing and penalties up to $15,000 USD.
This article summarizes reporting by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
Mexico’s Updated APIS Protocols: Navigating the “Doors Closed” Requirement
U.S. operators planning flights to Mexico are facing renewed scrutiny regarding Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) submissions. According to a February 2026 report by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), confusion surrounds a “new” two-step submission process enforced by Mexican immigration authorities (INM). While the regulations technically apply to all international flights, the practical application for General Aviation (GA) remains a point of contention among industry experts.
The core of the update involves a secondary confirmation message required after the Commercial-Aircraft doors are secured. Failure to adhere to these strict transmission windows can result in significant financial penalties and operational delays. We examine the details of these requirements and the best practices recommended by industry veterans to maintain compliance without compromising safety.
The Two-Step Submission Mandate
The updated procedure, as outlined in recent industry guidance, effectively splits the APIS filing into two distinct phases. Operators must ensure both steps are completed to satisfy the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM).
1. Pre-Flight Submission
The standard requirement remains largely unchanged. Operators must submit the full passenger and crew manifest between 24 hours and 2 hours prior to departure. This rule applies to flights both entering and departing Mexico.
2. The “Doors Closed” Confirmation
The source of recent confusion, and potential fines, is the second step. Regulations now technically require a confirmation message stating that “passengers are onboard.” This transmission must occur specifically after the aircraft doors are closed but before the aircraft takes off.
Operational Challenges and Expert Advice
While the written regulation is clear, its enforcement has been inconsistent, leading to uncertainty for Private-Jets operators. The NBAA report highlights a discrepancy between the strict letter of the law and daily reality.
Rule vs. Reality
According to the NBAA, the regulation published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación applies to all international flights, including Part 91 and Part 135 operations. However, experts cited in the report, such as Ruben Barbosa of Manny Aviation, note that in practice, the secondary “doors closed” submission is primarily enforced for commercial Airlines. For many GA flights, the initial notice sent 24 to 2 hours prior has often been sufficient.
Despite this common practice, relying on lenient enforcement is risky. The written law empowers authorities to fine any operator who fails to send the second message, regardless of past precedents.
Safety Concerns: The Distracted Pilot
A major concern raised by Safety experts regarding the “doors closed” rule is the potential for pilot distraction. Requiring a pilot to manually transmit data via a mobile device while taxiing or holding short of a runway introduces unnecessary risk during a critical phase of flight.
To mitigate this, experts like Adam Hartley of The Regulatory Toolbox recommend a proactive approach that removes the burden from the flight deck. The NBAA report suggests delegating this task to a dispatch team or an International Service Provider (ISP). In this scenario, the pilot simply communicates “doors closed” to their ground support, who then handles the electronic filing via a secure connection.
“Pilots should not be fumbling with cell phones or iPads to send an APIS message while taxiing.”
— Summary of safety advice from NBAA experts
Financial Risks and Submission Methods
The cost of non-compliance is tangible. Data cited in the report indicates that fines for APIS errors or failures can range significantly.
Potential Penalties
Operators found in violation of the submission windows or data accuracy requirements face fines estimated between $1,471 USD and $15,000 USD per infraction. Because fines have been issued to private operators in the past, treating the “doors closed” requirement as optional is financially dangerous.
Avoid Email Submissions
While the INM technically allows submissions via email using an Excel spreadsheet, industry experts strongly discourage this method for frequent operators. The email option is limited to four trips per year and, crucially, provides no confirmation of receipt or error validation. Without an immediate “Accept/Reject” message, an operator may unknowingly fly into a violation.
Instead, the NBAA and trip support providers recommend using the ARINC portal. This direct connection offers immediate confirmation, ensuring the data has been received and processed before the aircraft leaves the ground.
AirPro News Analysis
The tightening of APIS requirements in Mexico mirrors a global trend toward digitized, real-time border enforcement. Authorities are increasingly moving away from static manifests filed hours in advance to dynamic systems that verify exactly who is on board at the moment of departure. For U.S. operators, this shift necessitates a move away from “do-it-yourself” compliance via email toward integrated flight planning tools that automate these secondary transmissions. The “doors closed” rule, while operationally clumsy for private jets, is likely here to stay as part of broader security standardization.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the “doors closed” rule apply to Part 91 flights?
- Yes. While enforcement has historically focused on commercial airlines, the written regulation applies to all international flights, including private Part 91 operations.
- Can I send the APIS data via email?
- Technically yes, but it is restricted to 4 trips per year and is highly discouraged due to the lack of confirmation receipts. Experts recommend using an ARINC-connected provider.
- When must the first APIS message be sent?
- The initial manifest must be submitted between 24 hours and 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure.
Sources
Photo Credit: NBAA
Business Aviation
THC Signs Bombardier LOI for Up to 60 Business Jets
Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company orders 12 Bombardier jets with options for 48 more in a deal worth up to $2.9 billion.
The Helicopter Company (THC) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Bombardier for up to 60 business jets, marking the Saudi Arabian operator’s strategic expansion into fixed-wing aviation. The agreement, announced on July 21, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow, includes firm orders for 12 aircraft and purchase options for an additional 48.
In a press release issued during the airshow, Bombardier confirmed the firm order consists of five Bombardier Challenger 3500s, five Bombardier Global 5500s, and two Bombardier Global 8000s. The deal supports THC’s goal of becoming a global general aviation leader and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification program. According to list price valuations reported by Aviation International News, the firm order is valued at approximately $566.5 million, with the total 60-aircraft package potentially reaching $2.9 billion.
Strategic Shift to Fixed-Wing Operations
THC, established in 2018 by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), has historically focused exclusively on rotary-wing operations. The company has rapidly expanded its Helicopters fleet in recent years, securing agreements for up to 120 Airbus helicopters and 130 Leonardo helicopters, according to reporting by Corporate Jet Investor.
The Bombardier agreement represents a fundamental shift in THC’s operational scope, introducing charter and management services for Private-Jets. Captain Arnaud Martinez, Chief Executive Officer of THC, stated that the company was always positioned to expand beyond rotary-wing aviation into the fixed-wing sector.
“Our vision has always been to become the General Aviation Champion from Saudi Arabia to the world,” Martinez said. He added that the acquisition will “deliver the customer experience the kingdom needs, that the kingdom deserves.”
Bombardier’s Middle East Expansion
For Bombardier, the agreement secures a substantial backlog commitment from a state-backed operator in a high-growth region. The mix of super-midsize Challenger 3500s and ultra-long-range Global series aircraft provides THC with a tiered fleet capable of serving both regional Middle-Eastern routes and intercontinental travel.
Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier, characterized the agreement as a significant endorsement of the manufacturer’s aircraft and its long-term commitment to supporting aviation growth in Saudi Arabia.
“This is a powerful symbol of our companies’ shared customer-centric DNA and vision for economic growth in the region,” Martel said.
While the exact breakdown of the 48 purchase options remains undisclosed by both Bombardier and THC, the initial 12-aircraft commitment establishes a foundation for a major new fixed-wing fleet in the Middle East.
AirPro News analysis
We view THC’s entry into the fixed-wing market as a logical progression of Saudi Arabia’s broader aviation strategy. Backed by the PIF, THC has the capital to rapidly scale a business jet fleet that can cater to the influx of corporate and tourism traffic anticipated under the Vision 2030 initiative. By selecting Bombardier across three different aircraft classes, THC is building a highly flexible charter operation from day one. The decision to secure 48 options also suggests the operator anticipates sustained, long-term demand for private aviation within the region, positioning itself to capture Market-Analysis share from established Middle Eastern charter operators.
Sources: Bombardier
Photo Credit: Bombardier
Business Aviation
Bombardier Delivers 200th Challenger 3500 to Piero Ferrari
Bombardier reached 200 Challenger 3500 deliveries in under four years, handing the milestone jet to Ferrari Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari.
Bombardier Inc. delivered its 200th Bombardier Challenger 3500 business jet to Ferrari N.V. Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari on July 27, 2026, marking a rapid production milestone achieved less than four years after the aircraft type entered service.
In a press release issued to mark the handover, the Canadian manufacturer highlighted the super-midsize jet’s market performance. Since its first full year of deliveries in 2023, the Challenger 3500 has outpaced all other business jet models in the medium and heavy categories in total delivery volume. Ferrari plans to utilize the aircraft for travel to Formula One races and corporate engagements.
Production momentum and market position
The Challenger 3500 officially entered service on September 20, 2022. Reaching the 200-unit threshold by mid-2026 underscores sustained demand in the super-midsize segment. The program has recently secured firm commitments from major fleet operators, including BOND, NetJets Inc., and VistaJet.
Bombardier Executive Vice President of Manufacturing, IT and Bombardier Operational Excellence System David Murray described the handover as a defining milestone for the company.
“This achievement speaks to the exceptional dedication of our employees, the confidence our customers continue to place in Bombardier and the strength of an aircraft that delivers outstanding performance, impressive efficiency and an elevated cabin experience,” Murray stated.
Sustainability and design features
The Challenger 3500 carries an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). This certification aligns with Bombardier’s broader initiative to publish EPDs for its entire portfolio of in-production aircraft, providing transparency regarding the environmental footprint of the jet across its lifecycle.
Inside the cabin, the aircraft features the manufacturer’s patented Nuage seating system. Bombardier originally developed this seat architecture for the ultra-long-range Bombardier Global 7500 before introducing it to the super-midsize Challenger platform to elevate passenger comfort.
AirPro News analysis
We view the rapid accumulation of 200 deliveries for the Challenger 3500 as a strong indicator of the platform’s resilience in a highly competitive super-midsize market. By securing high-profile individual owners alongside bulk orders from fractional and charter operators, Bombardier has successfully balanced its customer base. The integration of features from the Global 7500 appears to have effectively bridged the gap between midsize economics and large-cabin comfort, sustaining the Challenger family’s historical market dominance.
Sources: Bombardier
Photo Credit: Bombardier
Business Aviation
THC Orders 11 Leonardo AW139s and Up to 60 Bombardier Jets
The Helicopter Company placed a firm order for 11 AW139s and signed an LOI for up to 60 Bombardier jets at Farnborough 2026.
Saudi Arabia’s commercial helicopter operator, The Helicopter Company (THC), placed a firm order for 11 additional Leonardo AW139 intermediate twin-engine Helicopters at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 21, 2026. The acquisition bolsters the operator’s rotary-wing capacity just as it announces a major expansion into fixed-wing business aviation.
In a press release issued during the airshow, Leonardo confirmed the new AW139s are scheduled for Delivery between 2027 and 2028. The order falls under a multi-year framework agreement signed by the two companies in 2024, which allows for the potential acquisition of up to 130 aircraft to support emergency medical services, VIP transport, and offshore operations.
Expanding the rotary-wing fleet
THC, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, has rapidly scaled its operations to align with the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. According to Arab News, the operator currently maintains an active fleet of 60 aircraft across Saudi Arabia.
The latest commitment follows a recent milestone for the partnership, with Leonardo having just delivered the 40th aircraft to THC. The AW139 program itself has accumulated approximately 1,600 global orders across more than 90 countries.
“We are very pleased to move forward into the next stage of THC’s Leonardo helicopter fleet expansion and modernization plan which we launched two years ago, having also recently celebrated the delivery of the operator’s 40th aircraft,” said Gian Piero Cutillo, Co-General Manager of Leonardo and Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters. “We stand ready and committed to supporting THC through its long-term strategy project to make sure our technology provides the high standard of service KSA’s communities expect.”
Strategic shift to fixed-wing operations
While the Leonardo order strengthens THC’s established helicopter operations, the company used the Farnborough Airshow to announce a fundamental shift in its business model. According to reporting by Aviation Week, THC signed a Letter of Intent with Bombardier on July 21, 2026, for up to 60 business jets.
The fixed-wing agreement includes a firm order for 12 aircraft, comprising five Bombardier Challenger 3500s, five Bombardier Global 5500s, and two Bombardier Global 8000s. The deal also includes purchase options for 48 additional jets, marking THC’s evolution into a comprehensive general aviation provider.
Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, noted in the Leonardo press release that the AW139 order contributes to a broader fleet optimization Strategy while supporting plans to grow the company’s global footprint.
AirPro News analysis
We view THC’s concurrent announcements at Farnborough as a clear indicator of the Public Investment Fund’s aggressive timeline for building a self-sufficient aviation ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. By executing a massive fixed-wing order with Bombardier alongside steady, incremental rotary-wing acquisitions from Leonardo, THC is rapidly transforming from a specialized domestic helicopter operator into a diversified, international aviation services provider. The dual original equipment Manufacturers (OEM) strategy mitigates supply chain risks while ensuring the company has the specific airframes required to support both regional emergency services and long-haul VIP transport.
Sources: Leonardo
Photo Credit: Leonardo
-
Technology & Innovation5 days agoVlindair Launches as Europe’s First All-Electric Regional Airline
-
MRO & Manufacturing3 days agoAirbus A350F Manufacturing Network Spans Five Countries
-
Defense & Military7 days agoGE Aerospace and Magellan Sign F414 MRO MOU for Canada
-
Defense & Military6 days agoGE Aerospace and Shield AI Complete X-BAT Engine Test
-
UAV & Drones6 days agoArcher Aviation and Anduril Unveil Dual-Use VTOL Platform