Cuernavaca’s “Mariano Matamoros” International Airport , which for years was limited to flight schools, is preparing to “re-emerge” as a first-class logistics hub , under the “Morelos Logistics Center” project , with the construction of a controlled facility by One Stop Group .
This space will not only facilitate customs clearance but will also include a cold storage facility for perishable goods, aiming to attract importers and exporters of agribusiness and pharmaceuticals, key sectors in the state of Morelos.
“We are only waiting for the formalities, let’s say, administrative, which we understand are from the state because it has a partner in the Navy (Semar) . I think the warehouse is a good synergy that we are ready to begin construction as soon as the formalities are completed, which implies having refrigerated facilities to maintain the cold chain,” stressed Rogelio González , CEO of One Stop Group, a consortium specializing in international trade and logistics services.
The warehouse will be located on approximately seven thousand square meters (m²) and the storage area will be four thousand m², with a height of between 14 and 15 meters.
The estimated investment for this construction is 40 million pesos (mdp) , although this amount may increase due to the cold storage.
“It may cost 40 million pesos, but when the cold storage is added, it will vary according to the producers’ needs; it could increase by at least 20 million pesos,” the executive stated in an interview with T21.
Although details remain to be finalized, there is already interest in the facility at the union level. “It’s now a matter of visiting with each of the fresh produce producers in Morelos, for example, the cutting producers for the poinsettia season.”
The operation of the new unit is contingent on the expansion of the runway at the airport, which is a mandatory requirement for cargo aircraft to land. “Therefore, we are waiting for the agreements with the owners of the land adjacent to the end of the runway to be finalized,” emphasized Rogelio González.
With the runway renovation, it is expected that aircraft with a cargo capacity similar to that of Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) will be able to land , i.e., an average of 28 tons of cargo.
González indicated that they have interesting proposals for the Cuernavaca airport, especially in the tourism sector.
“The terminal is small, and the project we wanted to manage there isn’t possible, but it would be very interesting to develop the commercial part of the airport for flights from Central and South America, to bring tourism to Morelos. So if the Morelos airport has more space, it will be something that could be an important catalyst for the region,” he emphasized.
“Morelos Logistics Center”, an economic and productive trigger
Morelos’ economy is seeking to strengthen its logistics footprint with the “Morelos Logistics Center” project —which includes an investment of more than $2.098 billion pesos —driven by the state administration, led by Governor Margarita González .
This strategy aims to position this state as a logistics hub, taking advantage of its location—between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans—as well as its connections to the State of Mexico, Puebla, Veracruz, Mexico City, and Oaxaca.
“The first investment we announced was approximately 40 million pesos for a bonded facility at the airport. This is our spearhead for the Morelos Logistics Center project. This bonded facility will also have a cold chain, will be highly accessible to everyone, and will be managed by One Stop Group,” reiterated Iván Elizondo Cortina , technical secretary of the Morelos Investment Council.
He noted that the Cuernavaca airport meets all regulatory requirements.
“We have a customs section, we have the entire National Service of Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (Senasica) issue , the security issue, we have absolutely everything, and the airport’s master plan is to create up to 300 meters more runway and the installation of a primary radar for air navigation safety, so that we can receive any type of logistics aircraft, Boeing 757-767 used by cargo planes, along with the A320.”
The airport also received approval from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to allow fans and national teams to land at the Cuernavaca terminal for the 2026 World Cup.
Among the Morelos state government’s project plans are the development of a data and cybersecurity center , with an approximate investment of $22 million; as well as plans for the creative industry, with the creation of series by companies like Amazon and Netflix, “but we are also negotiating with the Churubusco studio to set up shop in Morelos,” he said.
Other projects are for the development of the tourism, agro-industrial, scientific and technological services, and pharmaceutical industries, which are linked to Plan Mexico .
Iván Elizondo highlighted that progress is being made on the development of a Wellness Development Hub in Morelos, which will have a logistics focus , which the businesspeople involved are calling a ” modern logistics hub . “
He commented that the development of an “inland port” (dry port) is also planned , which is essential “because we are aligning and working with the new Acapulco cargo port, where Morelos would have the ability to receive products, perhaps even assemble them in Morelos at the “inland port” and be able to grow into a distribution center.”
Next year, the state government will invest in maintenance at three industrial parks in the Cuautla area, which will go hand in hand with the rehabilitation of the railroad.
“Today, we don’t have a railroad in Morelos. It used to be a railroad many years ago, but under Plan Mexico, construction has already begun on the Cuautla-Tlapa-Marquelia-Salina Cruz highway. This is a very interesting route for transporting products or merchandise. It reaches Cuautla and reaches the distribution center for the upcoming railroad, and from there, it can be distributed to all of northern Mexico, the United States, and Canada,” he explained.
With these projects, Morelos is building a connected future, investing in the logistics and transportation industry to boost its productivity and economy.
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