Authorities at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) believe that the renovations being carried out on this infrastructure could allow for a further increase in takeoff and landing slots .

“I believe so, we are working towards that. We are building three taxiways; Delta One is already finished, which allows the aircraft to occupy the runway for the shortest possible time; the second taxiway is already under construction and will be completed in July of this year, and a third one between December and January of next year,” Admiral Juan José Padilla Olmos, general director of AICM, told T21.

However, he specified that the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)  will determine, through an evaluation of the AICM’s capabilities, whether it is feasible to increase the slots .

Padilla Olmos also confirmed that the slots that were taken away from Mexican and international airlines in 2022 have already been returned to them. Furthermore, he confirmed that there are no dedicated cargo planes involved in this arrangement, although if one requests it, the AFAC (Federal Civil Aviation Agency) will evaluate its potential landing at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) .

“We haven’t received any requests from any cargo companies. They would have to submit their request, and AFAC has the directives, and as soon as we receive a request, we will forward it to the agency,” he explained.

It is worth remembering that the federal government, when it was headed by Andrés Manuel López Obrador, decreed saturation at the AICM in 2022, so the operations went from 61 to 52 and later from 52 to 43, until May 2025, when they increased to 44 and recently the increase to 46 was ordered, a measure that came into effect on June 1 .

Padilla Olmos indicated that granting a slot means 1.2 million additional passengers per year , so it is expected that with the increase to 46 operations, 2026 will close with close to 49 million travelers.

“Those 46 are now permanent, and the results will start to be reflected from December onwards because the airlines have to offer them and adjust their flights,” he explained.

In that regard, Héctor Fabián Cortés Álvarez, Deputy Director of Operations at AICM, told this media outlet that the slots that were taken away from them in 2022 have already been reinstated for US airlines Delta , American Airlines and United , as well as for Aeroméxico , Viva and Volaris , and also Avianca , while Lufthansa continues to analyze the offer.

He recalled that on May 15, takeoff and landing slots were assigned for the upcoming winter season , “some were confiscated for misuse, that is done by the AFAC, and they are told what the assignment list is, what they cancel and what they are going to use and an operational reserve is generated that we take to the Slot Convention (held in Bangkok, Thailand, from June 9 to 11).”

He explained that a reservation of 2,300 slots was achieved , plus the increase, so there were 5,600 new operations.

“That’s something we’ll see reflected through October, November, and December. International companies received refunds for about 700 transactions, and domestic companies also received refunds for previous reductions, for which 2,400 transactions were processed,” he emphasized.

In that regard, he emphasized that American Airlines requested more operations because it anticipates a greater increase in winter; additionally, Aeromexico, Volaris and Viva are requesting to increase flights, as they will start new routes to Latin America.

“Of those, 1,100 will be new operations; most already fly here, but they will increase routes,” he explained.

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El cargo They estimate that the remodeling of the AICM would allow for an increase in slots apareció primero en T21.

Grupo Aeroméxico has formed a strategic alliance with Grupo Bimbo through which it will promote the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in its corporate and business travel in Latin America.

With this alliance, the first of its kind in the region, both companies combine capabilities, vision and commitment to accelerate the reduction of emissions through the use of SAF , joining efforts to move towards more sustainable aviation.

The reduction of emissions will be certified through internationally recognized mechanisms for the allocation and traceability of the SAF.

“This alliance reflects how collaboration can accelerate the transition to more sustainable aviation in Mexico and Latin America, driving concrete actions to reduce emissions in key activities such as business travel. The transition will only be possible through a network of partners committed to significantly reducing the environmental impact of their entire value chain and moving toward long-term goals for 2050. This agreement sets a precedent in the region and demonstrates that it is possible to move toward concrete, measurable solutions aligned with global climate challenges,” said Karen Farías, Director of Sustainability & ESG at Aeroméxico.

In this way, both companies will contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse gases; in the case of the airline, by reducing Scope 1 emissions generated by fuel use; while Grupo Bimbo will reduce its Scope 3 emissions, generated by business travel. This joint effort reinforces the long-term decarbonization goals of both organizations and consolidates their leadership in corporate sustainability.

“We have a clear goal for 2050: for Grupo Bimbo to be a net-zero carbon emissions company. To achieve this, initiatives like the one we have today with Aeroméxico contribute to this goal, which requires the joint work of all stakeholders throughout our value chain,” said Alejandra Vázquez, Global Director of Sustainability at Grupo Bimbo.

Furthermore, David Hernández, Global Purchasing Director at Grupo Bimbo, stated that “this alliance with Aeroméxico demonstrates how collaboration with strategic partners can help us reduce emissions beyond our direct operations and tangibly advance towards our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”

This collaboration represents a milestone for the airline industry in Mexico and Latin America , reflecting the commitment and vision of both organizations in integrating sustainability into their business models and corporate strategies; as well as in adopting tangible solutions to move towards a low-carbon economy.

Regarding Aeromexico, this initiative will allow it to continue moving towards its goal of net zero emissions by 2050, strengthening its leadership as one of the main drivers of the viability of sustainable aviation fuels in the region.

Currently, SAF is considered the leading solution available for reducing air transport emissions , as it allows for up to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional fossil fuels. It is produced from renewable raw materials such as organic waste and has the necessary certifications for its use, making it compatible with the current airline fleet.

Therefore, the initiative seeks to strengthen a culture of sustainability both within organizations and in society, promoting greater awareness of the importance of decarbonization. It is also part of Grupo Bimbo’s comprehensive decarbonization strategy, which addresses various aspects of the value chain, from agriculture to logistics and energy.

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El cargo Aeromexico and Bimbo will fly with SAF on operations in Latin America apareció primero en T21.

Grupo Aeroméxico announced that starting November 6, it will “land” again in the financial markets of Mexico and the United States , with which it hopes to obtain approximately 178.8 million dollars (USD).

The firm mentioned that the offering in Mexico will be 27,463,590 shares at a price of 35.34 pesos per share, while in the United States it will be 11,727,325 shares at a price of 19 dollars per share.

“The selling shareholders have granted the placement intermediaries of the International Offering an over-allotment option to acquire up to 2,171,050 additional ADSs, which will be valid for a period of 30 days from the date of said offer,” the company said in a statement.

In addition to the Global Offering, Aeromexico announced a private placement of shares for an amount of around 25 million dollars at a price of 1,805 dollars per share.

Delta , the airline’s current shareholder and long-term strategic business partner, did not participate in the Global Offer and signed a four-year lock-up agreement .

“Aeromexico intends to use a portion of the net proceeds from the primary component of the Global Offering and the Simultaneous Private Placement for general corporate purposes, including payments related to fleet expansion, investments in customer experience infrastructure, and fleet maintenance obligations,” the company stated.

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El cargo Aeromexico “lands” again on the stock market apareció primero en T21.

After the United States government announced yesterday the cancellation of 13 routes by Mexican airlines to that country from the  Mexico City International Airport (AICM)  and  Felipe Ángeles Airport (AIFA) , the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, rejected the decision of the northern neighbor and described the measure as “unfounded” .

In her morning press conference this Wednesday, Sheinbaum said that she instructed Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente to request an urgent meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the head of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) , Sean Duffy, to review the decision and demand formal explanations .

Sheinbaum defended the transfer of cargo operations from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) as a sovereign decision, based on security and civil protection criteria due to AICM’s saturation. She asserted that cargo companies, including those from the United States, are satisfied operating from AIFA .

He also requested that the National Antitrust Commission (CNA) conduct a technical analysis to determine whether the DOT provisions are intended to benefit other airlines .

Reactions from the airline industry

The DOT order has generated concern among Mexican airlines and industry unions. Viva Aerobus reported that it is evaluating the impact of the measure on its operations from AIFA (Felipe Ángeles International Airport), whose routes beginning in November will be affected , including Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando, Austin, and Dallas, among others. However, the airline clarified that flights from other airports and AICM (Mexico City International Airport) to the United States will not be affected. The airline is confident that dialogue between authorities will lead to a solution .

Volaris, for its part, considered that the cargo regulations would have a “marginal effect” on its operations. However, it confirmed that the order prevents the approval of its new route between Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and Newark, New Jersey, scheduled to begin on November 2. The airline is in contact with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) to explore alternatives.  Aeroméxico has not yet issued a statement on the matter.

For its part, the Mexican Air Pilots Association (ASPA) expressed its “deep concern” about the implications of the order , which includes a proposal to prohibit cargo transport on combined flights from Mexico City International Airport (AICM). The organization warned that these provisions could affect air connectivity, the competitiveness of the national aviation sector, and thousands of jobs .

While the Mexican College of Airline Pilots (CPAM) expressed its concern regarding the measures, noting that they severely affect connectivity between the two countries, and that the revocation of routes from AIFA and AICM impacts major Mexican airlines, putting thousands of jobs at risk . The organization urged the Mexican government to reconsider the decree that expelled air cargo from AICM and proposed establishing a technical working group with all stakeholders in the sector to “restore the confidence of our trading partners.”

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that next Friday she will meet with representatives from Aeromexico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus to learn their positions and move towards a solution through dialogue and understanding.

It’s worth recalling that on October 28, the DOT announced the cancellation of 13 scheduled routes from Mexico to the United States operated by Mexican airlines from AIFA and AICM. According to the DOT, the measure was taken due to Mexico’s failure to comply with the Air Transport Agreement signed in 2015 .

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El cargo Sheinbaum rejects cancellation of air routes from Mexico to the US apareció primero en T21.

Since he was a child, Cuitláhuac Gutiérrez grew up watching airplanes take off as if they were promises. On each flight, he saw the echoes of his father’s work at Aeroméxico and the beginning of a story that, although fraught with turbulence, would lead him to pilot one of the most important organizations in the Mexican aviation industry: the National Chamber of Air Transport (Canaero) . “I grew up with Aeroméxico and the industry,” he recalls with a mix of nostalgia and determination. “I studied Aviation Electronics and Communications as my first professional degree, and at that time, Aerovías de México was the breeding ground for training technicians and professionals.”

His destiny seemed clear, but the path became complicated. He failed to secure a position as a technician, and, between disappointment and curiosity, he changed course to International Relations. “In my disappointment with the airline industry, I said: now I’ll become a diplomat,” he confesses. But fate insisted on keeping him in the air: upon completing his studies, Mexicana de Aviación opened its doors to him in the Market Research department in 1998. It was the beginning of a journey that would transform his life.

For 12 years, Mexicana was his school and platform. There he learned the complexity of a sector that combines engineering, economics, diplomacy, and strategy. In 2010, he returned to the place where it all began: Aeroméxico. “ I left Mexicana without knowing what was going to happen and came to Aeroméxico because it’s where my father had worked . I had to redefine the alliance strategy, which at the time was Delta limited to a codeshare,” he says. His work helped lay the foundation for a relationship that years later would give rise to a historic cross-border alliance.

Aviation, like life, doesn’t fly in a straight line. A downgrade in air safety by the United States put the country in jeopardy, but also opened a new opportunity for him: the vice presidency of Operations at SkyTeam , a global airline alliance comprising Aeroméxico, Delta, Air France , and Korean Air . ” We accepted the challenge and my family and I left . I was in charge of network development, generating greater connectivity, more codeshares, and seeking out new products,” he recalls. His time at SkyTeam consolidated his global vision and his skill at negotiating in the skies of air diplomacy.

In 2016, his career took him to a different, but equally strategic, arena: representing the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Mexico . “It was a challenging job, a school where you learn everything: commercial, operational, safety, environmental, and infrastructure issues,” he says. From that position, he experienced the cancellation of the Texcoco airport, the change of government, and the political storm that engulfed aviation. “We were there at the moment when aviation was at the center of the storm,” he says with a mixture of caution and pride.

And just when it seemed the skies couldn’t get any more uncertain, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. At IATA, and in close coordination with Canaero, Gutiérrez was one of the voices pushing to keep the country’s air borders open, a decision that allowed the country to regain connectivity faster than other nations. “At IATA, we sat down to figure out how to help. In the end, I took over the operation of the chamber without employees, and the position of general director of Canaero and IATA Country Manager. In the face of all the airlines,” he recalls.

Those months marked a turning point. He oversaw the redesign of the airspace, the industry’s adaptation to the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), and collaborated with the Ministry of National Defense (Defensa) on the operational planning of the airport system. “We adapted the industry to its new reality,” he says .

In 2022, he returned once again to Aeroméxico, this time as Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs. “If I’m coming back, it means I’ve done something right,” he says calmly. His third stint at the airline confirmed his place in an industry where permanence depends as much on technique as on poise.

At the beginning of 2025, Cuitláhuac Gutiérrez took over as Canaero’s leader with a clear mission: to rebuild the sector’s representativeness and prepare the industry for its upcoming expansion. “It was time to push Canaero further,” he says. Under his leadership, Viva Aerobus , TAR , and Aerus returned , and only Volaris remains to complete the fleet. “We hope Volaris will be back soon and we can finally include all the national airlines,” he emphasized.

His vision goes beyond the short term. He speaks of a solid dialogue with the government, infrastructure that responds to future demand, and an efficient transportation system that connects AIFA, Mexico City International Airport (AICM), and regional airports. He also speaks of digitalization, sustainability, and competitiveness . “A competitive position combining adequate infrastructure for current and future demand, with competitive current costs and charges, will lay the foundation for the airline industry and address growth,” he concludes.

For him, flying isn’t just a metaphor for success: it’s a way of life. Because every career climb, every turbulence overcome, and every controlled landing confirm that his destiny was always in the skies.

According to data from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) , 82,370,855 passengers were transported between January and August 2025, representing a 2.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

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El cargo Cuitláhuac Gutiérrez: The pilot who keeps Mexican aviation flying apareció primero en T21.

Mexico City; Bogotá, Colombia; Lima, Peru; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Sao Paulo, Brazil , are among the top 10 routes from Latin America moving cargo to Madrid-Barajas International Airport, according to the Madrid Airport 2024 Annual Air Cargo Report, compiled by the Air Cargo Observatory of the MADCargo Forum .

According to the report, Sao Paulo showed 43% growth in 2024 compared to 2023; Buenos Aires followed with 41%. Meanwhile, Mexico City recorded a 5% decline during the period.

The top 10 routes are led by Doha Airport, the hub of Qatar Airways , with a 38 percent increase, followed by Istanbul IST with a 59 percent increase.

The airlines with the greatest growth in cargo handling during the period were Iberia , with a 16% increase, followed by Air Europa with 12%. Qatar Airways Cargo remained in third place with 33%, while Air China, with 40%, surpassed DHL , which registered a 2% increase.

“The fastest-growing airline is Silk Way West Airlines, with 69% of its shares entering the top 10, ranking eighth, which led to Aeroméxico ‘s exit ,” he said.

“Air cargo with Latin America and the Caribbean represents 43.6% of Madrid’s non-EU cargo. The six airports with the largest cargo volumes handle 68% of Madrid’s total cargo with the region, while the 13 main airports account for 84.6% of the total,” he emphasized.

Among the most frequently transported products were food, machinery and electronic equipment, fashion and textiles and leather, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals, among others.

The document detailed that the share of cargo transported by carriers with cargo aircraft in Madrid is 39%, compared to 61% in the hold of passenger aircraft during the same period . “This figure was only surpassed in the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 47%, due to the sharp drop in passenger traffic.”

At the end of 2024, air cargo at Madrid airport experienced significant growth , ending the period with 766,800 tonnes , exceeding 2023 by 19.2% and 2022 by 35.4%, and reaching a 67% share of air cargo traffic on international routes in the Aena airport network .

With this data, this infrastructure ranks 10th among European airports in terms of air cargo, and has continued to grow since 2021, surpassing its competing European airports.

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El cargo Mexico City, among the main air cargo routes with Madrid apareció primero en T21.

The Aeroméxico-Delta alliance announced that starting October 29 , Aeroméxico will begin operating direct flights from Mexico City to San Juan, Puerto Rico .

With four weekly flights, this route will offer more than 1,300 seats and will be operated by 737 MAX-8 aircraft, although during the peak winter season (December 18–January 4) it will offer one daily flight.

 “With this, the Aeroméxico-Delta alliance continues to strengthen, connecting more key destinations between Mexico and the United States,” said Giancarlo Mulinelli, senior vice president of Global Sales at Aeroméxico, in a statement.

This new service joins the series of openings the Mexican airline has made since 2024 and so far in 2025, through which it has managed to reach new destinations in the United States such as Atlanta, Boston, Washington, Tampa, Phoenix, Philadelphia, among others. San Juan, Puerto Rico, will become Aeroméxico’s 27th destination in the United States .

“Puerto Rico continues to position itself as the ideal destination in the Caribbean. The opening of a new direct connection expands the investment landscape and allows us to continue promoting the many tourism attractions and business opportunities we offer,” said Jennifer González Colón, Governor of Puerto Rico.

He explained that this route, whose direct economic impact is estimated at $13.5 million per year , will further strengthen trade ties between Mexico and Puerto Rico, which currently exceed $1.5 billion annually.

Currently, the Aeroméxico-Delta alliance operates more than 60 routes between the two countries, with more than 90 daily operations, and has transported more than 50 million passengers since 2017.

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El cargo Aeroméxico announces Mexico City-Puerto Rico flight apareció primero en T21.

The Aviation Flight Attendants’ Union (ASSA) announced that the strike scheduled for the first minute of June 1 has been extended for 10 days.

Through social media, the union announced that the strike was postponed following a hearing held on June 1 at the Federal Labor Court for Collective Affairs, based in Mexico City, with the participation of the Federal Center for Conciliation and Labor Registration.

Aeroméxico , for its part, confirmed in a statement that ASSA—the legal representative of Aerovías de México flight attendants— has requested an extension to continue the salary review process .

In light of this decision, the airline stated that its operations continue unaffected and that flights remain as scheduled.

“Grupo Aeroméxico reiterates its commitment to maintaining an open and transparent dialogue to reach agreements that benefit flight attendants, allowing the company to continue being the most competitive employment option in the sector,” the company stated.

On Saturday night, Aeroméxico presented a new proposal for a 4.5% salary increase , which was rejected by the union assembly.

According to ASSA, its members are seeking to recover the purchasing power lost between 2020 and 2024 , estimated at 12.12%, amid cumulative inflation of 29.89%. The union maintained that its fight goes beyond a one-time increase, as the goal is to reduce the wage gap in the face of rising costs of living and the increase in the minimum wage.

Last week, at a meeting, members unanimously rejected a previous proposal from the airline, which included a 2.9% increase for Contract A and a 3.35% increase for Contract B, considering these percentages below current inflation.

If no agreement is reached in the coming days, the new date planned for the possible outbreak of the strike is June 10 .

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El cargo Aeroméxico flight attendants postpone strike until June 10 apareció primero en T21.

Aeroméxico announced that starting next summer it will connect Mexico City with Cali in Colombia, Panama and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic , with daily flights to each destination.

With this expansion, the airline reported that it will be operating 16 routes in 13 countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Cali will be the fourth city in Colombia that Aeroméxico connects from Mexico City, in addition to Bogotá, Medellín and soon Cartagena.

The routes will be operated with Boeing 737 aircraft that offer, among others, Wi-Fi connectivity, personal screens and a Sky Interior lighting system.

He also said that the three routes will mean a combined monthly offer of around 30,000 seats.

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El cargo Aeromexico announces opening of new destinations for the summer apareció primero en T21.

To meet the growing demand of its customers across the country and reduce the delivery time of thousands of packages by two days every day, Amazon Mexico and Aeromexico are expanding their transportation network with the airline’s air cargo division.

Both companies expect that by the end of 2024, the millions of packages transported by air will have tripled compared to 2021, with volume growth of more than 200% each year .

“Investing in infrastructure and technology significantly improves efficiency and, therefore, customer satisfaction. For this reason, we are constantly looking for key partners such as Aeroméxico, who, with their experience, contribute to our goal of improving the quality of service and continuing to innovate for the benefit of our customers,” said Jesús Elizondo, Director of Operations for Transportation at Amazon Mexico.

After three years of operation and a program that began with a single arc operating from Monterrey to Merida , today there are more than 10 routes; from Mexico City to destinations such as Tijuana, Chihuahua, Monterrey, Merida, Cancun and Tuxtla Gutierrez, among others. Also from Monterrey to Merida, Villahermosa, Cancun and more.

In a statement, they said that this network allows e-commerce to and from strategic cities to be amplified through more efficient shipments.

“Aeroméxico Cargo has an extremely robust air cargo infrastructure, which perfectly complements that of our customers. We will continue to do our best to honor the high standards that characterize both companies,” said Alejandro Méndez, Senior Vice President of Aeroméxico Cargo.

They mentioned that the collaboration and commitment of both companies allows them to optimize logistics and improve for the benefit of their clients in Mexico, continuing to develop connectivity opportunities to deliver millions of packages per year.

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El cargo Amazon Mexico Expands Its Network with Aeroméxico Cargo apareció primero en T21.