Almost three years after the mandatory transfer of cargo operations from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) , cargo companies maintain a positive evaluation of their operations at the airfield located in Santa Lucía .
Peter Cerdá, executive director and CEO of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) , indicated that although the move represented an operational challenge, the adaptation has been consolidated and today the operating conditions offer advantages over the limitations they had at the AICM.
“Cargo carriers are the primary operators at the airport. Things have been improving; we’ve been operating for two and a half years now, and the operation has been efficient. We haven’t received any complaints from our members about switching from one airport to another,” he emphasized.
It is worth remembering that the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) confirmed on October 16 that any airline from that country will resume or begin cargo flights to the AICM, as part of the commitments that the Mexican federal administration acquired to comply with the bilateral air agreement.
According to a DOT document, since May 1, this agency and the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) concluded a Memorandum of Consultation (MOC) that detailed the actions necessary to restore the full implementation of the agreement.
Peter Cerdá mentioned that, so far, cargo airlines have not expressed interest in returning to Mexico City International Airport (AICM) . “We are facing slot issues , severe congestion, operational inefficiencies, and offering alternatives for a return is not in the sector’s best interest. However, if there are companies interested in returning, they have the right to do so.”
In a press conference prior to the start of the ALTA AGM & Airline Leaders Forum , which is being held in Mexico City until October 20, he noted that US companies currently operate at various airports.
In that regard, he highlighted that companies like FedEx maintain operations in Toluca, while UPS and Amerijet operate at AIFA.
Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Evangelina del Toro / @GrupoT21
