Revised Mexico APIS Requirements

Mexico has significantly revised the submission of APIS documentation, as of September 17th. It is now a two-step process that applies to all private and charter flights:

  1. First Submission – Must be made within two hours before departure and applies to both inbound and outbound flights.
  2. Second Submission – Confirmation of passengers on board, which must be sent after the aircraft doors close and before takeoff.

There are three ways to submit:

  1. ARINC Portal – The only authorized vendor for submitting manifests. You must have an account. Advantage: you get an immediate response indicating acceptance, rejection, or errors.
  2. Email – Send a completed Excel spreadsheet to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Strict formatting rules apply, including limits on Excel versions. This method appears limited to 4 trips per year. This is forwarded to ARINC, and you will not receive confirmation of acceptance, rejection, or errors.
  3. Third-Party Service Provider – Several providers can process submissions on your behalf. They will either submit through ARINC with their account or via email as described above.

Important: Submission errors can result in substantial fines. Refer to your service provider and official guidance to ensure compliance with the rules.

EES Implementation Start Date

The European Union has announced the start date for implementing the Entry/Exit System. The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025. European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026. Refer to their website for details.

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees

Santa Maria FIR Radio Initial Voice Contact Trial

The Santa Maria FIR (LPPO) has initiated a trial for the initial voice contact to Santa Maria Radio for flights using CPDLC. The trial of the proposed change is expected to reduce the crew workload, as the responsibility to establish the initial voice contact on HF is assigned to the radio operator. It will also allow the radio operator to better manage the air-ground communications sequence and priority, avoiding simultaneous calls from distinct aircraft. The trial is scheduled to run through 30 November 2025. For complete details, refer to the Portugal AIC A 003/2025.

CZQX OCR Procedure Update

The procedure change described below for issuing route amendment clearances in Gander Domestic airspace will be conducted as a trial between 5 May 2025 and 31 December 2025. Check current NOTAMs for any changes to this procedure.

Due to ATC workload and pilot confusion regarding oceanic route clearance changes issued through CPDLC, Gander Flight Information Region (CDQX FIR), Gander Domestic controllers will be issuing oceanic route amendments via VHF voice communications in lieu of CPDLC uplink route amendment clearance messages.

  1. Mitigating Flight Plan vs. Clearance Errors
  2. Comprehensive Ramp Inspection Program implemented in Mexico
  3. OCR Gander Update
  4. The Importance of Following Annex 6 Fuel Guidance