I- Context
On October 21, 2025, the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) issued resolution RES-DS-464-2025, which aims to guarantee air traffic safety and prevent navigation risks that were not covered by previous regulations. This new resolution establishes strict limits on the height of buildings in areas near La Aurora International Airport, exclusively for those located in zone eleven (11) of Guatemala City.
II- Changes introduced
The aforementioned resolution introduces the following modifications:
- Resolutions RES-020-2020 and RES-DS-084-2020, both issued by the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC), which allowed the maximum height for the internal horizontal surface to be increased from 1,621 meters above sea level (1,621 m.a.s.l.) to a conical surface with a maximum height of 1,651 meters above sea level (1,651 m.a.s.l.).
- The following new permitted heights are established:
- Internal horizontal surface: 1,551 meters above sea level (1,551 m.a.s.l.).
- Conical surface: the new resolution limits it to the provisions of Civil Aviation Regulation for the Design and Operation of Aerodromes fourteen (RAC-14), so that height must be determined in accordance with that regulation, applying the regulatory gradient
- Gradient: five percent (5%) within a radius of 6 km from the runway.
- Restrictions: All new applications and those pending before the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) that do not comply with the maximum heights established for the internal horizontal surface and the conical surface, in accordance with Resolution RES-DS-464-2025 and current aeronautical regulations, will be denied.
- The following instructions are issued to the relevant bodies:
- The Department of Infrastructure, Air Navigation, and Operational Safety Surveillance shall carry out a specialized technical analysis to determine new maximum heights allowed in zone eleven (11) of Guatemala City.
- The Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) shall update the Electronic Aeronautical Information Publication (eAIP) for La Aurora International Airport, in accordance with the new provisions and identified obstacles.
- As an indirect implication, by virtue of the exclusive authority of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) with respect to the coordination, supervision, and delimitation of obstacle limitation surfaces for each existing public aerodrome, the Municipality of Guatemala City must modify the requirements for granting licenses in order to comply with the aforementioned resolution. Similarly, the corresponding modifications must be made to its Land Use Plan (POT).
- The following new permitted heights are established:
III. Impact on our clients
The new resolution of the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) will have the following impacts on real estate projects located in zone eleven (11) of Guatemala City:
- New or ongoing projects: Applications for new projects or those already underway may require adjustments in design and permits.
- Future investments: New limitations on developments consisting of horizontal properties or similar projects.
- Costs and deadlines: Possible increases due to redesign and additional procedures, either before the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) or the Municipality of Guatemala City.
- Corrective measures: Although corrective measures for previously authorized and constructed buildings are not the first option, they may be, in light of the Constitution, the Civil Aviation Law, and its respective regulations, a measure to be taken under the Principle of Operational Safety.
If you need more information, legal or technical advice, or support in adapting your projects to current regulations, please do not hesitate to contact us at contact@consortiumlegal.com. Our team is ready to accompany you through every stage of the process.