Handling Agent Spotlight: Manny

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Air Charter Guide recently spoke with Emilio Padilla, Senior Operations Manager at Manny. Manny is based in Toluca, Mexico (MMTO), and is renowned for its expertise in ground handling and FBO coordination across the country. The company provides a comprehensive range of services, including permits, ground transportation, and operational support for private, corporate, and charter aviation. With a legacy rooted in exceptional service and attention to detail, Manny has become a trusted partner for operators traveling to Mexico.

1) As a handling agent and FBO, how do you guide charter operators traveling to Mexico?

For operators traveling to Mexico, the best possible starting point is always our OCC team, which is available 24/7 at ops@manny.aero, ready to walk operators through every step of the process.

Mexico’s most popular holiday destinations, such as San Jose del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Tulum, and Manzanillo, experience extremely high demand during Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and the winter season. Ramp congestion, fuel delays, and parking restrictions can create unnecessary stress for passengers and crew.

San Jose Del Cabo. Photo Credit: ianmcdonnell, IStock / Getty Images Plus.

Our job is to anticipate every scenario. We guide operators on airport limitations, permit requirements, peak hour restrictions, CIQ arrangements, and operational "nice to know" details for each Mexican destination. With Manny, operators have complete peace of mind before they arrive.

2) How would you describe your services?

Founded in 1997 by Manuel (Manny Sr.) Romero Vargas, Manny is the most recognized and requested ground handling and FBO service coordinator in Mexico. Capable of coordinating an extensive range of services, Manny provides everything from permits to ground transportation.

Our flagship is our people.

At Toluca, our main base, we became the first IS-BAH-certified team in Mexico, and every member of our front line is a certified Aircraft Dispatcher. They have extensive experience handling operations not only in Toluca but also in Mexico City, Santa Lucia, and more than 70 airports where we supervise flights on behalf of our clients.

Our team blends deep technical knowledge with a service mindset centered on care, attention to detail, and genuine hospitality. They love what they do and consistently go far beyond the checklists. That spirit comes from our founder’s philosophy, a legacy we continue to honor ten years after his passing.

3) What does the future look like for your company?

Our vision is to be recognized as Mexico’s top ground handling and service coordination company, with consistent presence and capability across every major airport in the country.

We want operators to think of Manny as the most reliable and seamless option in Mexico, whether it is a simple tech stop, a complex multi-leg mission, a VVIP mission, or operations into remote airfields where local support is limited.

Our future is about excellence, expansion, and giving every operator complete peace of mind regardless of the mission.

Puerto Vallarta. Photo Credit: CCinthia Aguilar, IStock / Getty Images Plus.

4) How did you get into aviation?

Manny was born from the passion and vision of Manuel "Manny Sr." Romero Vargas Gómez de Parada, who discovered aviation in the 1950s while working in an in-flight catering business owned by his uncle. That early exposure sparked a lifetime dedicated to serving crews, passengers, and operators from around the world.

Over the decades, he represented major airlines, coordinated complex cargo and charter operations, and eventually co-founded one of the most important aviation service provider companies in Mexico. In 1997, he created Manny Aviation Services, today simply Manny, embedding his philosophy of exceptional service and uncompromising attention to detail.

Almost thirty years later, we continue building on his legacy and honoring the standards he set.

5) What is your most popular itinerary, event, or destination?

Our most requested destinations reflect the best of Mexico Magico—stunning beaches, world-class hospitality, and the unique charm of Mexican culture. Some highlights include:

  • San Jose del Cabo (MMSD/SJD)
    A luxury oasis with top-tier resorts and beautiful coastlines.

  • Cabo San Lucas (MMSL/CSL)
    Perfect for sportfishing, nightlife, and high-end getaways.

  • Cancun (MMUN/CUN)
    The Caribbean gateway for leisure, events, and celebrations.

  • Puerto Vallarta (MMPR/PVR)
    Loved for its beaches, gastronomy, and warm hospitality.

  • Toluca (MMTO/TLC)
    The preferred airport for operators flying to the vibrant, museum-filled, foodie paradise of Mexico City.

6) Do you specialize in ambulance or cargo?

We support all types of missions. Manny is recognized as one of the most trusted ground handling and service coordination partners in Mexico. We handle:

  • Air ambulance

  • Cargo operations

  • Private and corporate aviation

  • Charter flights

  • Diplomatic missions

  • Demonstration flights

  • Government and special operations

If it flies into Mexico, we can handle it!

7) Do you have any fun stories or narratives to share?

One of the best parts of our work is being behind the scenes of unforgettable experiences. We have supported flights ranging from spontaneous last-minute holiday trips to operators arriving with entire bands for concerts.

We once handled a flight for passengers who landed in Cabo to get married on the beach and then departed with sand still on their shoes.

Business aviation connects people to their best moments, and we witness those moments every day.

8) What is a memorable event you have taken passengers to in the past?

We have supported operators traveling to some of the most important events in Mexico. These include:

  • The G-20 Summit

  • The F1 Mexican Grand Prix

  • The Baja 1000 Race

  • International conventions and diplomatic meetings

We are now preparing for one of the biggest moments in recent history, the FIFA World Cup 2026. Our entire team is ready to support every operator traveling to Mexico for the tournament.

9) Contact Info:

Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube
http://www.manny.aero
Email: ops@manny.aero
Tel: +52 722 273 0981