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Season 2 Episode 19 | October 14, 2026 Behind every flight are hundreds of technicians, engineers, inspectors, and specialists working to ensure that an aircraft can operate safely. In this episode of Altitude, we speak with Jorge L. Jácome about one of the most important - and least visible to passengers - areas of aviation: aircraft maintenance. Jorge L. Jácome has nearly four decades of experience in the aviation industry. An aeronautical engineer from Mexico’s National Po

Season 2, Episode 19 | September 3Oth, 2026 Executive Summary This episode covers two issues facing aviation as 2026 draws to a close. First, Arturo Duhart examines Mexico’s aviation regulator, the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), following the FAA’s August 2026 International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA). The FAA’s findings have not yet been released. The discussion therefore does not predict whether Mexico will retain Category 1 status. Instead, it focuses on wheth

Season 2, Episode 18 | September 16, 2026 Synopsis In this episode of Altitude, Nicolás Rhoads and Arturo Duhart speak with David Arconada, a leading Customer Experience executive whose international career spans telecommunications, aviation, and financial services. Drawing on his leadership experience at Iberia, Aeroméxico, and BBVA, David examines what airlines can learn from banking’s digital transformation, why customer and employee experience must be managed as part of t

Season 2, Episode 16 | September 2nd, 2026 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The FAA completed an International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) of Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) from August 10–14, 2026, with a final report expected in approximately 60 days. The assessment evaluates AFAC’s ability to regulate, certify, and oversee Mexico’s aviation industry—not the safety performance of individual Mexican airlines. A Category 2 downgrade is possible but not predetermined. If

Season 2, Episode 16 | August 19th, 2026 Approx. 30 minutes. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Fear of flying is driven less by statistical risk than by uncertainty, unfamiliar sensations, and a perceived lack of control. In this episode, Nico and Arturo explain what passengers experience during takeoff, turbulence, changes in aircraft noise, engine failures, depressurization, thunderstorms, lightning strikes, and firm landings. They describe how aircraft engineering, recurrent simulator tra

Season 2, Episode 15 | August 5th, 2026 Approx. 38-40 minutes. Executive Summary In this episode of Altitude, Arturo Duhart and Nicolás Rhoads examine three developments currently reshaping the airline industry and discuss their strategic implications for airline executives and Board members. The conversation begins with a recent Ryanair evacuation incident to explain how commercial aviation manages depressurization events, highlighting the industry’s uncompromising commitme

Season 2, Episode 13 | July 22nd, 2026 Guest: Eduardo Iglesias Escuela de Aviación PRAAT Executive Summary This episode focuses on one of the most common questions asked by young aviation enthusiasts and their families: What does it really take to become a professional pilot in today's aviation industry? Rather than concentrating solely on flying skills, the discussion examines the complete professional journey, from choosing a flight school to building a long-term airline ca

Season 2, Episode 13 | July 7th, 2026 Guest: Dr. Carlos Salicrup Captain, Aerospace Physician, and Fatigue Specialist. Executive Summary In this episode of Altitude, Nicolas Rhoads and Arturo Duhart welcome Dr. Carlos Salicrup--airline captain, aerospace physician, and fatigue management specialist--for a high-level discussion on one of aviation's most important safety and performance challenges: human fatigue. The conversation examines the role of aerospace medicine in opera

Season 2, Episode 12 | June 24th, 2026 Leadership, Human Factors and the Evolution of Flight Safety Guest: Liz Abadie – Pilot, Instructor, CRM & Human Factors Specialist Executive Summary In this episode of Altitude, we speak with Liz Abadie, one of the pioneering women who helped open the flight deck to future generations of female pilots in Mexico. Through a career spanning more than four decades, Liz witnessed first-hand the transformation of aviation from an era defined b

Season 2, Episode 11 | June 10th, 2026 Executive Summary The Legal Infrastructure Behind Global Aviation In this episode of Altitude, Carlos Sierra provides a rare executive-level perspective on one of the least visible yet most critical pillars of the airline industry: the legal framework that enables aircraft financing, leasing, international operations, competition, and asset protection. Drawing on more than two decades of experience advising airlines, lessors, financiers,

Season 2, Episode 10 | May 27th, 2026 Interview with Juan Carlos González Curzio Executive Summary In this episode of Altitude, Juan Carlos González Curzio — Vice President of Safety at Grupo Aeroméxico and former Chairman of SkyTeam’s Safety, Security & Quality Committee — discusses how aviation has evolved from a reactive industry into one driven by predictive safety management. The conversation explores the transformation of aviation safety through accident investigation,

Season 2, Episode 9 | May 13th, 2026 This episode examines the growing structural pressure affecting the global aviation industry and analyses whether airlines are entering a prolonged phase of defensive management rather than expansion. The discussion highlights how multiple stress factors — fuel volatility, widening crack spreads, geopolitical disruption, operational fragility, airport saturation, OEM delays, crew shortages and financial pressure — are no longer isolated ev

Season 2, Episode 8 | April 29th, 2026 Executive Summary This episode of Altitude explores the rapidly evolving role of the space sector and its increasing relevance to national strategy, economic development, and daily life— particularly in Mexico and Latin America. Benjamin Najar brings a rare cross-sector perspective spanning aviation, defence, and space. The discussion highlights four core realities: Space is no longer distant: It is already embedded in everyday infrastru

Season 2, Episode 7 | April 15th , 2026 Reminder that may turn on subtitles in your own language if you see this Episode on Youtube Executive Highlights A unique 360° aviation leader: From airline pilot to regulator, global safety executive, and board-level influencer shaping aviation policy and operations worldwide. At the centre of critical decisions: Direct involvement in defining moments of Mexican aviation, including infrastructure, safety governance, and institutional

Season 2, Episode 6 | April 1 st , 2026 YOU MAY WATCH IN YOUTUBE AND TURN SUBTITLES IN OWN LANGUAGE PART 1 ARTURO: Today on Altitude, we have a very special guest—someone whose career speaks for itself and whose experience spans virtually every dimension of aviation. We are joined by Jaan Albrecht Binderberger—Mexican, pilot by training, and one of the most well-rounded executives this industry has produced. Jaan has experienced aviation from the cockpit, from operations, fr

Season 2, Episode 5 | March 18th , 2026 Editorial Introduction (2–3 minutes) REMEMBER YOU MAY VIEW IN YOUTUBE+SUBTITLES IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE Arturo Aviation is not just about aircraft, routes, or fares. It is about infrastructure, regulation, public policy, global competition—and above all, national vision. In Mexico, that conversation does not always take place in the public arena. More often, it happens around negotiation tables, inside institutional offices, and through q

Inside NASA: Post Apollo years (Full video via YOUTUBE channel with instant subtitles in your language) NICO Carlos, in our previous episode we walked through Apollo, the Shuttle, and the Space Station in depth. Today we won’t repeat the technical details — but we do want to orient our audience. If you had to summarize the history of human spaceflight at NASA in three brushstrokes, what would they be? CARLOS The first brushstroke is the Apollo program. President John F. Kenne

Season 2, Episode 3 | February 18th , 2026 BLOCK 1 – PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE Opening Remarks Over the past months, the growth of Altitude has brought with it increasing commitments and responsibilities. At the same time, Fabricio’s professional obligations have expanded significantly, leading him to step aside from the project. Altitude will continue with Nico and myself at the helm. We sincerely thank Fabricio for his time, contribution, and professionalism throughout this chap

Season 2, Episode 2 | February 4, 2026 Executive Summary Why it matters: The global aviation industry enters 2026 amid heightened volatility, geopolitical risk, cost pressure, and structural change. Visibility is limited — strategic discipline is not optional. Key themes discussed: Fuel & geopolitics: Energy prices and geopolitical flashpoints remain the single most destabilizing variable for airline economics. Operational risk & airspace uncertainty: NOTAMs, GPS interference

Season 2, Episode 1 | JANUARY 21ST, 2026 SUMMARY Altitude Season 2 opens with a reflective and forward-looking episode that bridges the past, present, and future of commercial aviation. The episode marks the 50th anniversary of Concorde, the supersonic aircraft that redefined engineering ambition, speed, and technological limits, examining its history, legacy, and lasting influence on the industry. In contrast, it explores the recent evolution of aviation in Venezuela—its st