Airports Council International (ACI) called on governments to incorporate airport capacity growth into their long-term national infrastructure and economic development plans, as well as to modernize slot allocation policies (takeoff and landing times).

“We are asking governments to plan ahead for aviation growth, enable capacity before reaching a tipping point, and modernize regulatory frameworks and slot policies . And we cannot ask airports to expand their capacity while limiting their ability to finance it. It simply doesn’t work,” said Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World.

At WAGA 2026 – ACI-LAC / ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition , jointly organized by ACI World and ACI-LAC and hosted by Lima Airport Partners, it was emphasized that the global airport sector will require approximately US$4.6 trillion in investments by 2055 to meet projected demand growth. However, it was stressed that the challenge lies not only in building new infrastructure, but also in optimizing existing capacity, strengthening coordination among airports, airlines, and air navigation service providers, and establishing stable regulatory frameworks to attract the necessary investments.

In this context, he said that the modernization of airport slot policies and market access acquires strategic importance ; therefore, he specified that the allocation goes beyond the operational coordination of schedules, that is, the policies that regulate access to airports with limited capacity can have direct implications on connectivity, competition and socio-economic development.

Rafael Echevarne, Director General of Airports Council International-Latin America and Caribbean (ACI-LAC) , considered that the modernization of slot policies is particularly relevant for Latin America and the Caribbean , where a more efficient use of airport capacity can contribute to strengthening connectivity, expanding competition and supporting economic growth.

“Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, governments are working to expand tourism and attract investment. Modern slot policies can help support these priorities by making the best use of available airport capacity. Slots are more than an operational process. They are a strategic tool that determines access to markets,” he noted.

During the event, the growth prospects for global and regional air traffic were also presented.

According to estimates, global passenger traffic will double by 2047 compared to 2025 levels , with an average annual growth rate of 3.5 percent. After reaching a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, global growth slowed during the first half of 2026, when 4.7 billion passengers were recorded, an increase of 0.6 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, traffic is expected to reach 809 million passengers in 2026 and practically double by 2045, reaching about 1.5 billion passengers.

To respond to this growth and maintain adequate service levels, ACI-LAC estimated that approximately $178 billion in investments will be needed over the next 30 years to modernize and expand the region’s airport infrastructure.

Echevarne mentioned that compared to 2019, 133 airports are registering passenger traffic levels lower than pre-pandemic levels, while the region has lost about 20% of its connections between city pairs.

To further boost the development of air transport, he recalled that ACI-LAC promotes greater liberalization of the sector, going beyond traditional bilateral agreements and reducing barriers that hinder market access , with the aim of fostering competition and expanding regional connectivity.

“ACI-LAC is very clear on this: international experience shows that liberalization can boost the development of air transport. What we need now is for governments to move from signing agreements to implementing them,” Echevarne stated.

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El cargo ACI calls for long-term plans for airports and slot policies apareció primero en T21.

Latin America and the Caribbean recorded its seventh consecutive month of growth in international air cargo handling . In July 2026 alone, 334,099 tons were moved to, from, and within the region, representing an increase of 12,754 tons compared to July 2025, equivalent to a year-on-year growth of 4 percent.

According to statistics from the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) , Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico continued to be the three largest markets in the region . That month, they collectively handled approximately 208,000 tons, equivalent to 62.2% of the regional volume.

“Seven consecutive months of growth confirm the resilience and potential of air cargo in Latin America and the Caribbean. The July results show that, when the right conditions exist, the region can generate solid and sustainable growth. The opportunity now is to extend that success to more markets through greater operational efficiency, modern infrastructure, and policies that strengthen the sector’s competitiveness,” said Peter Cerdá, CEO of ALTA.

The organization highlighted that Brazil grew 9.8% and Colombia 8.4%, while Mexico increased 0.4%; meanwhile, Peru had an increase of 7.5%, Panama 4.4%, and Ecuador, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Argentina registered declines.

Brazil made the largest contribution to regional growth in July. The country moved 83,673 tons , 7,439 tons more than in July 2015, representing a 9.8 percent increase.

Meanwhile, Colombia handled 66,568 tons , 5,142 tons more than in the same period last year, representing an 8.4 percent increase. This country contributed 40.3% of the net regional increase and completed six consecutive months of growth.

Meanwhile, Mexico transported 57,633 tons , 218 tons more than last year, representing an increase of 0.4%, accumulating two consecutive months of growth after the 4.4% drop recorded in May.

However, the two-way corridor with the United States decreased by 2%, the second decline of the year, equivalent to 344 tons less than in July 2025. The Hong Kong–Mexico corridor fell by 11 percent.

“It was the largest absolute loss of all of Mexico’s international corridors, more than double the drop in the corridor with the United States. Hong Kong is the country’s second-largest cargo partner after the United States. The largest volume increases were recorded with Germany (7.2%) and France (7.6%). Canada stood out with the largest percentage increase among the main corridors (26.1%), and Guatemala (14.7%) and the Netherlands (17.1%) also showed strong growth,” the agency stated.

ALTA highlighted that regional cargo capacity grew 12.7% in July 2026 and completed two consecutive months of expansion, with the A330F leading the percentage growth.

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El cargo Air cargo in Latin America and the Caribbean marks seven consecutive months of increases in July apareció primero en T21.

Copa Airlines announced that it will add a new cargo plane to Mexico , which will land at Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) before the end of 2026.

“We already have one aircraft dedicated 100% to cargo and another one is on the way. We have a good and functional operation at AIFA with positive numbers,” confirmed Mauro Arredondo, the airline’s director in the country.

Without giving further details, he explained that markets in Central America, as well as in North and South America, such as Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, have driven the increase in cargo to Mexico, mainly in products such as medicines, biologicals, and perishables .

“Part of that cargo stays in Mexico, another part is exported to countries in Central and South America, and another part arrives in the country and is distributed within Mexican territory,” he explained in an interview.

Regarding new passenger flights , the executive said they will work on consolidating their operations to Mexico.

“The business plan is always like this: we open new markets, increase frequencies, and we have to work to consolidate those operations,” he asserted.

Similarly, he commented that the route to Los Cabos from Panama continues with three flights a week, but “we are seeing more and more tourists from Colombia, Argentina, Chile and other Central American countries.”

“Another very positive aspect of the Mexican market has been the increased capacity we had in Monterrey . At the end of last year, we grew by 50%, and today we are operating eight times a week. In Guadalajara, we also grew by 30%, and the flight has become very well established. In Mexico City, there are six daily flights, sometimes seven,” he emphasized.

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El cargo Copa Airlines will add a new cargo plane to Mexico apareció primero en T21.

The proposed budget for the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) in the 2027 Economic Package has raised concerns within the Mexican aviation industry. The National Chamber of Air Transport (Canaero) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that a reduction in resources for the aeronautical authority could limit its capacity to fulfill its supervisory, certification, and oversight responsibilities .

The federal government proposes allocating 175.45 million pesos to the AFAC , compared to the 657.5 million pesos approved for 2026. The difference represents a reduction of 73.3 percent .

The proposal places AFAC at one of its lowest budget levels since its creation , while maintaining responsibilities related to operational safety and the oversight of airlines, technical personnel, aircraft, airports and training centers.

Industry warns of risks due to budget cuts

In a statement, Canaero and IATA indicated that the adjustment comes at a time when airlines are facing pressure from fuel costs , as well as regulatory and operational challenges stemming from the bilateral relationship with the United States. “All of this demands a strong aeronautical authority, with adequate technical and operational capacity and financial resources for its proper functioning,” they stated.

“However, the 2027 Economic Package proposes measures that move in the opposite direction. The 73% reduction to the AFAC budget weakens the institution responsible for ensuring operational safety, technical oversight, and compliance with international standards,” the document stated.

The concern takes on greater significance when considering the volume of activity that Mexican aviation maintains.

According to the Mexican Transportation Institute (IMT) , 11 million passengers traveled in July 2026 , 0.6% more than in the same month of 2025. In that same period, 93,526 tons of air cargo were transported, an annual growth of 2 percent.

AFAC maintains monitoring and certification agenda

The budget debate also comes after a series of AFAC activities related to monitoring and compliance with international standards.

Last August, the agency reported that it had concluded the evaluation of the International Air Safety Assessment Program (IASA) of the United States Federal Aviation Administration , a process relevant to Mexico’s continued status in Category 1 of air safety.

In July, AFAC also renewed the aerodrome certificates for the Tijuana and Los Cabos airports , after verifying compliance with national and international standards for infrastructure, maintenance, equipment, and operational safety.

Canaero and IATA requested that the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) and the Chamber of Deputies reconsider the scope of the budget reduction and guarantee the necessary resources so that AFAC can fulfill its responsibilities.

The proposal is still part of the discussion process for the 2027 Economic Package. Therefore, the proposed amount does not yet constitute the final budget for the agency.

In response to this concern, on September 10, the AFAC reported that “in 2027 it will have additional resources beyond those foreseen in the 2027 Economic Package, to strengthen its institutional capacities and address the priorities of the national aeronautical sector.”

Without mentioning the exact figure, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) stated that it “will guarantee the necessary resources for the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) to carry out its regulatory, supervisory and monitoring functions, as well as the actions aimed at strengthening operational safety in the country,” according to a press release.

“This measure is consistent with the Mexican government’s vision of consolidating a safe, efficient and constantly growing aviation sector, and recognizes civil aviation as a strategic sector for connectivity and economic development in Mexico,” the agency emphasized.

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El cargo The airline industry is on alert for possible budget cuts to AFAC. apareció primero en T21.

With a defined growth strategy and a vision focused on innovation, GVD Logistics , a Mexican freight forwarder specializing in exports, is advancing its expansion plan towards 2030, which includes obtaining certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to strengthen its operations and customer services . 

The company, which has 11 years of experience in the logistics sector, seeks to consolidate its position as one of the main integrators of services for Mexican foreign trade , especially in the export segment, which currently represents around 70% of its operations. 

Ariel Gutiérrez, director of GVD Logistics, mentions that the company has already clearly defined the path it will follow during the next few years and is currently working on building the necessary capabilities to achieve its growth objectives. 

“We are assembling the team and putting everything we need on the board so we can use it at the right time. We have a talented person in Artificial Intelligence and we are going to make a quantum leap. Our system will be launched in September; these are tools that will strengthen the internal side so we can then bring those benefits to our clients,” he says in an interview with T21. 

The commitment to digital transformation is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving operational efficiency, optimizing processes and offering a more agile experience to users in an increasingly competitive logistics environment. 

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El cargo GVD Logistics accelerates its expansion towards 2030 apareció primero en T21.

Global demand for air cargo grew 3.9% year-on-year in July 2026 , the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported .

“All regions saw growth, although airlines in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America accounted for more than 90% of that growth. Cargo aircraft gained market share as cargo flows in passenger aircraft holds decreased, possibly due to demand for larger or more specialized shipments, as well as the operational flexibility offered by cargo aircraft,” noted Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist.

The agency also stated that capacity —measured in available cargo tonnes per kilometer (ACTK)— increased 1.7% year-on-year, and rose 1.8% over the period for international operations.

North American airlines saw a 4.8% year-over-year increase in CTKs (cargo tonnes transported) during the month. Capacity contracted 1.5% year-over-year.

Meanwhile, African airlines reported a 1.1% year-on-year increase in CTKs for July 2026, the weakest performance compared to other regions. Capacity increased by 4.1% year-on-year .

The Asia-North America corridor recorded the best performance with year-on-year growth of 9.2% , followed by the Europe-Asia and Europe-North America routes, with 3.1% and 2.1% growth, respectively. In contrast, Gulf-related corridors continued to face restrictions due to the conflict in the Middle East.

“The outlook remains generally positive, supported by manufacturing activity, export orders, and global trade . However, rising fuel prices, geopolitical tensions, and tariff uncertainty will need to be closely monitored,” said Owens Thomsen.

According to IATA, global jet fuel prices increased by 121% year-on-year between April 2025 and April 2026, but the impact on each company’s costs varied markedly depending on its currency and regional market.

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El cargo Global air cargo remains strong during July: IATA apareció primero en T21.

The land connectivity of the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) faces an additional security challenge , since goods leaving the air terminal must travel along highway corridors identified as having the highest incidence of cargo theft in the State of Mexico.

The Mexico 85-D highway, the Mexico 85 road and the Mexiquense Outer Circuit concentrate a high level of risk for the transport of goods, warned Luis Villatoro, president of the National Association of Vehicle Tracking and Protection Companies (ANERPV) .

“The goods leaving the airport are routed along three of the most dangerous roads in the State of Mexico. If we measure this in terms of the level of risk they represent in the state, these are the roads where the highest number of cargo theft incidents occur. Any goods traveling along these routes, not necessarily from AIFA, present a very significant level of risk,” he emphasized.

He noted that in these areas there is a criminal group involved in the theft of valuable goods —watches, sporting goods, and pharmaceuticals—that operates during the morning hours, a time when there is greater availability of cargo since logistics companies are ceasing to operate on these roads at night.

“What’s happening is that there are more vehicles in the mornings, and that’s attractive to organized crime groups that operate where goods are transported from the AIFA (Felipe Ángeles International Airport), but they are also moving from the Jorobas area, through the Circuito Exterior Mexiquense (Mexico State Outer Loop), from the Arco Norte (Northern Arch), connecting of course with Mexico 85, with Mexico 85D; it’s a major hotspot,” he said in an interview with the media.

It is worth remembering that on August 19, Grupo HB , operator of DJI Store Mexico, reported the theft of merchandise such as cameras, accessories and drones upon leaving AIFA.

However, Villatoro stated that around the airport perimeter there is a security detail provided by the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) and the National Guard , which allows for the necessary security conditions.

Furthermore, he specified that different agencies share intelligence on the incidents that are occurring, although, he said, a comprehensive strategy is needed with state and federal authorities, so that at certain times, from 08:00 hours to 19:00 hours, the distribution of forces and coordinated operations can be established to allow the free transit of goods while guaranteeing the security of the logistics chains .

He reiterated that the AIFA is surrounded by a very high level of criminal activity related to cargo and vehicle theft , and therefore insisted that a specific strategy must be developed to combat the crimes that may be occurring in federal, state, and municipal areas.

Security measures are crucial given the increase in air cargo at the airport. During the first half of 2026, AIFA handled 202,469.4 tons, a 6.4% increase compared to the 190,232.6 tons handled during the same period in 2025.

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El cargo AIFA, among high-risk land routes: ANERPV apareció primero en T21.

In June 2026, international air cargo to, from and within Latin America and the Caribbean reached 336,269 tons, an increase of 4.7% compared to the same month in 2025 , thus adding the sixth month of growth, reported the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) .

The organization specified that Brazil, Colombia and Mexico remained the three largest markets in the region and accounted for 60.4% of the volume.

“All three countries grew simultaneously for the third time during 2026, after doing so in March and April. Colombia and Brazil together registered 11,212 tons more than in June 2025, equivalent to 74.3% of the regional increase,” he indicated.

ALTA highlighted that Mexico returned to growth in June , after the 4.4% drop recorded in May. The country moved 58,128 tons of international cargo, 1,033 tons more than last year.

The overall monthly increase was primarily driven by the corridor with the United States , which grew by 12.6% and transported an additional 2,057 tons. This contribution exceeded Mexico’s total growth because volumes with China (-8.0%), Hong Kong (-4.7%), Luxembourg (-7.9%), and Spain (-3.3%) collectively decreased by 1,118 tons.

Meanwhile, Germany and France saw increases of 6.8% and 5.9%, respectively, partially offsetting these declines. “Mexico alternated between four months of growth and two contractions during the first half of the year,” the organization noted.

Meanwhile, Panama grew 7.2% and Peru 6.7%, maintaining positive results. Argentina’s growth slowed to 0.3%, after reaching 25.1% in March, 14% in April, and 4.7% last May. Ecuador and Costa Rica both fell 0.4%, while Chile remained stable and El Salvador grew 5.1%.

Among bilateral corridors, markets with the United States grew jointly by 8.4% and accounted for 53.5% of the year-on-year increase recorded by the region.

Colombia-United States, with a 16.6% increase, showed the largest rise in the reference period; followed by Mexico-United States with 12.6%; Brazil-United States with 3.6%, which returned to growth after 10 consecutive months of decline; and Argentina-United States, which increased by 4.1%. In contrast, Chile-United States fell by 6.4%.

ALTA reported that in June 2026, the capacity offered in cargo aircraft to and from Latin America and the Caribbean registered a year-on-year increase of 7.2% after the drop of 4.2% last May, reaching 945 million ton-kilometers.

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El cargo This is how air cargo in Latin America and the Caribbean closed in June apareció primero en T21.

LATAM Airlines Group closed a loan for approximately $505 million to finance the addition of 11 aircraft to its fleet with deliveries in the second half of 2026.

“This transaction combines three elements relevant to LATAM’s financial strategy: it diversifies our sources of financing, supports the renewal and growth of our fleet, and links some of its terms to our sustainability performance. Furthermore, it allows us to finance the acquisition of Embraer aircraft for the first time through this structure, while maintaining our access to long-term competitive terms in international markets,” explained Andrés del Valle, the company’s Director of Corporate Finance.

He specified that of the total transaction, $400 million corresponds to sustainability-related financing . The deal includes one Airbus A320neo, four A321neos, and six Embraer E195-E2s, and involves a long-term loan structure led by BNP Paribas .

The agreement represents the first transaction of its kind for LATAM’s Embraer fleet and allows the group to access competitive long-term financing in a context of market volatility and high fuel costs.

The loan includes interest rate incentives tied to the company’s emissions performance. This means that as the group makes progress in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted per unit transported, its emissions intensity will qualify for more favorable financing terms. Furthermore, these incentives align with the LATAM group’s sustainability goals, which aim to reduce its emissions intensity by 6% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels and move toward its objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

He noted that this is the second operation of this type carried out by the company , since in December 2024 it closed its first Sustainability-Linked Loan, a revolving credit line guaranteed by engines for 300 million dollars.

This agreement is in addition to the fleet renewal plan that the LATAM group is developing during 2026 .

In the first half of the year, it added 13 state-of-the-art aircraft and projects receiving another 28 before the end of the year, exceeding 40 annual additions. With this, the group expects to end 2026 with more than 410 aircraft.

In the coming months , the Embraer E195-E2 will be incorporated for the first time into Brazil’s domestic network, while in 2027 the company’s first Airbus A321XLR will debut.

By 2030, LATAM plans to add up to 130 more aircraft, meaning that more than 50% of its fleet will be state-of-the-art. According to their manufacturers, these models reduce CO₂ emissions by 20% to 25% compared to previous generations, contributing to the progress toward the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

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El cargo LATAM Airlines secures financing to add 11 aircraft to its fleet apareció primero en T21.

Air cargo traffic in Mexico closed the first half of 2026 (1H26) with an increase of 4.7% compared to the same period in 2025, according to figures from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) .

During the period, 616,193.8 tons were transported , that is, 27,732.5 tons more than from January to June 2025, the agency reported.

During that period, the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) handled 202,469.4 tons compared to 190,232.6 tons in 2025, which represented an increase of 6.4 percent.

Meanwhile, the Toluca International Airport (AIT) registered a 23.8% year-on-year decrease, ending the period with 11,813 tons, 3,696.2 tons less than in the first six months of 2025.

In that cycle, the national cargo volume went from 183,579.7 tons to 182,413.1 tons , which meant a slight decrease of 0.6% year-on-year.

The airports that contributed to this reduction were Guadalajara with a decrease of 4.6%, Tijuana with 4.7%, San Luis Potosí with 12.6%, Hermosillo with 20.7% and Cancún with 4.1% less.

Meanwhile, international cargo registered an annual increase of 7.1% , as it moved 433,780.6 tons during the period.

AFAC specified that during June 2026 the total cargo grew 1.2% , ending with 108,401.2 tons, which meant 1,262.3 tons more than in the same period last year.

AIFA moved 35,206.5 tons in the sixth month of 2026 compared to 37,708.1 tons in June 2025, representing a decrease of 6.6 percent.

Meanwhile, the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) went from 20,433.4 tons in June of last year to 21,217.7 tons in the same month of 2026, an increase of 3.8 percent.

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El cargo Air cargo in Mexico grows in the first half of 2026: AFAC apareció primero en T21.