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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El cargo Air cargo in Mexico also needs a development plan: ACI-LAC apareció primero en T21.

Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) ranked fourth in the top 10 airports in Latin America and the Caribbean for cargo handling through 2024, behind only El Dorado, Guarulhos, and Arturo Merino Benítez in Colombia, Brazil, and Chile.

This was announced by Airports Council International – Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC) when it presented the 2024 ranking of the region’s best-performing airports, based on passenger traffic, aircraft movements, and air cargo.

“Felipe Ángeles International Airport, serving Mexico City, appears for the first time in the rankings of the continent’s main airports, doubling its cargo volume in the last year, and is positioning itself as a new logistics hub in the region. Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport experienced significant growth in air cargo and holds a solid second place on the continent,” he emphasized.

It is worth mentioning that despite the presidential decree that ended dedicated cargo at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) , this infrastructure continues to appear in this ranking , and even with a drop in merchandise handling, it was placed in eighth place.

In 2023 alone , the AICM was in second place despite the already decreasing load, while the AIFA held ninth place.

“It appears for the first time because cargo operations were transferred by official decree, but in reality, AICM has always been among the top 10 in Latin America in the ranking. By transferring all cargo flights to this location, AIFA now assumes the title. However, the interesting thing is that it managed to climb, improve its position, either on its own or due to the cargo movement required by the country. Ultimately, if it’s an imposition, an obligation to move there, that’s the effect,” said Fernando Gómez, an aviation analyst.

In an interview with T21, he commented that given its infrastructure, Felipe Ángeles Airport should have experienced greater growth and dynamism, something AICM would have achieved on its own internationally.

In this regard, he indicated that the Santa Lucía Airport (AIFA) requires greater intermodal connectivity, with road connections between different neighboring municipalities, allowing air cargo to reach its destinations quickly and efficiently.

In 2024, for the first time, El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia, has been crowned number one in Latin America and the Caribbean in all three key categories: passengers, aircraft movements, and air cargo.

“In 2024, El Dorado experienced spectacular growth in both passenger traffic and air operations (16% and 13%, respectively), while maintaining its leadership as the continent’s most important cargo hub,” ACI-LAC stated.

According to ACI-LAC, the 2024 rankings reflect the diversity and dynamism of a region where air transport is key to its socioeconomic progress and airports play an increasingly important role as drivers of development.

“The data reflects more than just numbers: it tells a story of dynamism, recovery, effort, and strategic vision. The airports of Latin America and the Caribbean are committed to sustainable growth and a strong commitment to regional and global connectivity,” said Rafael Echevarne, Director General of ACI-LAC.

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El cargo AIFA “flies” to fourth place in the top 10 for cargo movement in Latin America and the Caribbean apareció primero en T21.