So far, no cargo airline has requested to resume operations at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) , despite the federal government’s assertion that conditions exist to receive this type of operation again during off-peak hours.
Juan José Padilla Olmos, general director of the AICM, explained that the infrastructure that previously served cargo planes still exists, although some adjustments would be necessary to meet the current needs of companies.
“It must be remembered that the infrastructure was in place to receive those aircraft. We will probably have to make some adjustments to adapt to the new needs,” he said after participating in the ceremony for the 70th anniversary of the creation of the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics, currently the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) .
The executive noted that cargo operations could be carried out during off-peak hours , primarily during the early morning, when there is a lower concentration of commercial flights.
“The slot window in the early morning runs approximately from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. there are not as many flights,” he explained.
Padilla Olmos argued that the capital’s airport no longer faces the saturation levels that prompted the departure of cargo planes to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) , due to the modernization works carried out at the terminal.
Jesús Esteva, head of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) , reiterated that there are currently operational spaces available and therefore the availability of slots was extended during the early morning.
However, he acknowledged that cargo companies based at AIFA have not shown interest in returning to the capital’s airport. As an example, he mentioned Atlas Air , whose representatives highlighted the operational advantages they currently find at Santa Lucía.
“They have no intention of returning; on the contrary, they thank us for strengthening AIFA, the efficiency in customs, and the growth they are seeing in the transport of electronics,” he commented.
Esteva emphasized that, although the government raised the possibility of resuming operations at the AICM, no company has requested spaces so far .
Regarding the potential addition of new routes and frequencies following the lifting of restrictions by the United States, Padilla Olmos indicated that the AFAC will be responsible for reporting on any applications submitted, while the airport will remain prepared to handle any increase in demand.
In that regard, the AICM will continue with its infrastructure remodeling and expansion program, which includes improvements to waiting rooms, warehouses and new taxiways to expedite the movement of aircraft on the apron and runways.
It is worth remembering that on October 16, the SICT reported that the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) decided to revoke the restrictions that prevented Mexican airlines from opening new flights from AIFA and AICM to the United States, thus reopening the possibility of developing routes and frequencies to and from the US market.
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