Given the importance of air cargo in Mexico, it is necessary to develop a strategic plan to strengthen this sector , said the Airports Council International for Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC) .
“Air cargo is undoubtedly important, and we must also support it and develop its plans. I understand that Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) handles all the pure cargo aircraft, but we must work together with other types of aircraft and other airlines,” emphasized Rafael Echevarne, director general of ACI-LAC.
Echevarne indicated that Querétaro International Airport (AIQ) is a good example of what is needed in this segment , while AIFA is developing as the country’s largest cargo hub.
“The important thing is to ensure that each airport has the necessary conditions for economic activity and development independently, with the support of regional, state, and local authorities, so that there are no barriers to cargo development,” he stated in an interview.
It’s worth remembering that last April, ACI-LAC announced its ranking of the 10 airports with the most cargo in Latin America and the Caribbean for 2024, with AIFA ranking fourth, behind only El Dorado in Colombia; Guarulhos in Brazil; and Arturo Merino Benítez in Chile.
Mexico City International Airport (AICM) ranked eighth, despite the presidential decree ending dedicated cargo at this facility.
GAP and OMA, with plans to boost cargo
Meanwhile, Ricardo Dueñas, general director of Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA) , explained that the Monterrey Airport is expanding its warehouse because they expect growth in both air and ground cargo.
“We see nearshoring (relocation of production lines) as strong. We see it going forward, and we continue to invest in that growth,” Dueñas emphasized.
For his part, Raúl Revuelta, general manager of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) , agreed that nearshoring and the reorganization of international trade will boost the growth of air freight movement, and they are therefore working to provide more infrastructure for this segment, especially in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
“We continue to expand. Five more cargo platforms are under construction in Guadalajara, all of which are fully cargo-powered. We continue to prepare the infrastructure. We firmly believe that Mexico will ultimately benefit greatly from nearshoring and the reorganization of international trade that is taking place, and we must have the infrastructure ready,” he stated.
In this regard, Revuelta stated that the group is being very proactive in this sector, which is why they purchased GWTC , which operates the bonded warehouses at the Guadalajara and Puebla airports.
Regarding any impact on cargo movement due to the U.S. tariff policy, he indicated that no decline has been recorded so far, due to the changes announced by the U.S. government regarding the extensions it has granted.
“The reality is that you can’t see it. There have been so many changes in the effective date of the tariffs that you don’t see it in cargo today. Today, I would say cargo is growing at a good pace; we’re not seeing any specific slowdown,” he stressed.
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