The Mexican aerospace industry represents just 5% of global production, but it could be much more, according to Óscar Mora, founder and CEO of EN-TI .
According to ICEX , Mexico has established itself as a strategic player in the global aerospace industry, with more than 350 international companiesoperating in the sector.
Currently, Mexico ranks 14th among the world’s largest aerospace suppliers , with approximately 80% of the sector’s national production exported to the United States, while the remainder goes to key economies such as Canada, France, and Germany.
In 2022, the Mexican aerospace market reached an estimated value of $3.1 billion , driven by an 18% recovery following the impact of the pandemic.
In an interview, Mora noted that one of the major challenges facing the aerospace sector in Mexico is the lack of specialized infrastructure, especially in the cargo sector.
“We have technical talent, specialized engineering firms, and companies that already manufacture high-precision components. But we don’t have enough cargo airports or efficient logistics systems to help ease congestion on our roads,” he warned.
In this sense, the transformation of passenger planes into cargo planes, a common practice in other countries, is a missed opportunity in Mexico, according to Mora.
“We could convert aircraft, optimize their use, and create a much more agile and competitive air cargo network. Today, the cost difference between ground and air transportation in the United States is only 5% to 8%,” he said.
He added that this type of infrastructure would be strategic in the context of nearshoring , since there are many companies that manufacture light and high-value-added products, so “ having a more robust air cargo system would facilitate their export and accelerate the return on investment .”
Today, Mexico has at least three companies developing autonomous vehicles, and although progress has been slow due to regulatory barriers, Mora insists the country can lead the next wave of aerospace innovation.
“Traffic in cities like Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara could be resolved more quickly if air routes with autonomous vehicles were activated. It’s not a distant dream; the technical conditions already exist. What’s missing is political will,” he asserted.
From its technological foundation, EN-TI seeks to position itself as a key partner for this development. With experience in critical sectors, a long-term vision, and a firm commitment to national talent , the company aims to be part of the Mexican aerospace renaissance.
“Mexico has the opportunity to take off, but it needs to expand its runway. And to do that, we need to invest, coordinate, and believe,” Mora said.
Comment and follow us on X: @jenna_GH_ / @GrupoT21
