Servicios Aeroportuarios Andinos (SAASA) announced its intention to expand in Mexico, both at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) , the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) , as well as in Toluca and Mérida.
“Also in other stations that are just as important. Mexico is a very important country, with a lot of activity, tourism and very rich, so we believe that such a large market should be one of those on the company’s radar,” highlighted Guillermo Vega, regional director of Security, Protection and Quality Control at SAASA.
In an interview with T21, he recalled that operations in Mexican territory began in 2023 providing services to Iberia and Air France , while on March 20th they inaugurated their cargo warehouse at Madrid Airport, Spain.
He stated that the company’s consolidation has led it to handle 14% of export cargo and 31% of import cargo in Peru , and noted that it has eight stations. “We will continue to seek opportunities for international expansion,” he indicated.
SAASA, part of Grupo Andino, is a Peruvian company that provides airport services including ramp handling, cargo storage, passenger services, and FBO ( Fixed Base Operator ) services. At Jorge Chávez International Airport in Peru, it provides ramp services for commercial aircraft.
Regarding the outlook for air cargo in 2026, Vega explained that in Latin America, in general terms, cargo has not yet recovered to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels . However, sectors such as special cargo, mainly pharmaceuticals and perishables, are showing growth, driven by food security concerns.
He indicated that the fresh cargo market, specifically for perishables, is estimated to grow by almost 5% annually over the next 10 years. However, logistical problems persist in the cold chain, which, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), results in 14% of perishables being lost in transit.
“From the moment of harvest to the airline’s warehouse, from there to the plane and vice versa, when it arrives at its destination, we are all responsible for maintaining the cold chain, segregating the products to prevent cross-contamination, giving them the appropriate temperature, and protecting them from humidity. However, many times the cargo is handled with great care at the origin, but when it arrives at a connection point or destination, where there are no facilities for the cold chain, sufficient space, or the temperature is only five degrees and does not meet cargo requirements—as with blueberries, mangoes, or asparagus—the product is affected, and there are other times when the product is left on the platform,” he explained.
In the case of pharmacists, “more care must be taken” and they must comply with World Health Organization (WHO) standards , he emphasized.
“We must be very careful with the cold chain and the exact temperature, and unlike fruit and vegetables, whose deterioration is noticeable, in the case of vaccines or medicines it is not noticeable, and it could become a harmless or harmful product,” he pointed out.
He explained that the transport of live animals has encouraged the growth of air cargo, especially in Peru, due to changing consumer preferences, with a demand for healthier products, including organic cotton clothing.
“We are hopeful that cargo volume will recover. There are countries with better conditions. Peru, for example, moved 243,000 tons in 2025, half of which was imports and half exports, of which 80% was perishable. Over the last 30 years, agricultural exports have grown twentyfold, and the region has maintained sustained growth for the last 10 years. Exports of perishable goods to the United States have grown by 45%, to Europe by 60%, and to Asia by 200%. While it is true that asparagus exports have been declining due to competition from countries like Mexico that are doing very well, products like mango and blueberry are growing exponentially, and we are already among the top exporters,” he explained.
Guillermo Vega stated that SAASA has opted for artificial intelligence to have more information to make decisions, streamlining the traceability of cargo from 22 airlines, which have real-time data.
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