Starting in 2026, Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) will have increased apron capacity and additional positions , which will allow for increased cargo handling and make it the primary freight terminal.

According to the 2025-2030 Institutional Program , published by the Ministry of National Defense (Defensa) in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) , cargo growth projects were anticipated; the initial infrastructure installed alone consisted of 16 facilities and warehouses to process 570,000 tons per year.

However, to date, six additional facilities have been built , increasing capacity by 240,000 tons, so that the cargo terminal currently has a total capacity of 810,000 tons per year with 22 facilities and warehouses.

Apron capacity is also being expanded to accommodate more aircraft simultaneously. Currently, five larger aircraft can be accommodated on the apron, and with the expansion, which will be completed in January 2026, there will be four additional positions for aircraft of the same type, such as the  Boeing 747-8F, for a total of nine positions.

“The projects described above are financed with our own resources; furthermore, the growth momentum is expected to continue and consolidate over the next five years, which will require beginning work on planning for the second phase of the AIFA Master Development Program,” the document stated.

The Ministry of Defense asserted that air cargo transportation is a strength that will be consolidated in less time than projected , so it will be necessary to accelerate the required investment “to expand the infrastructure at the cargo terminal as quickly as possible and meet the demand that will arise.”

He emphasized that the development of the northern part of the Valley of Mexico to create a development hub through an industrial logistics corridor, from the city of Pachuca to the northern part of Mexico City, will make AIFA a “center of gravity.”

“The scenario described above is an opportunity that AIFA will seize to establish another commercial strategy for the development of the Airport City, which will allow for orderly growth, in accordance with the land uses designated in the Master Development Plan for that space, which includes health services, shopping centers, parking lots, corporate buildings, aviation-related schools, and a ground transportation terminal,” he said.

Currently, 43 airlines operate freight transport through the AIFA : 17 scheduled cargo airlines, 26 charter airlines, and three mixed airlines (passenger and cargo), transporting a total of more than 633,000 tons.

By 2050, the Ministry of Defense has projected the maximum development of the AIFA , with the following characteristics:

• Three runways . For this stage of the project, the airport’s new north runway will be built, which will be used primarily for cargo handling.
• Two interconnected terminal buildings with a capacity of 85 million passengers . A second passenger terminal building will be built, and the connection building between the two passenger terminals will be completed, along with the expansion of Terminals 1 and 2 to increase the number of connecting positions.
• A cargo terminal with a capacity for three million tons per year . With the construction of the third runway, the airport’s cargo vocation is consolidated, with the construction of new facilities for this purpose, achieving the capacity to handle up to three million tons per year.
• A fuel terminal with a capacity of 80 million liters of jet fuel . The fuel terminal will also be expanded to meet fuel needs resulting from increased operations, with a capacity of up to 85 million liters.
• Control tower . The control tower was built from the ground up with the necessary and sufficient capacity to continue providing its services efficiently until the airport’s maximum development.

Additionally, he specified that a major challenge lies in developing a commercial and marketing strategy that will allow international airlines from Europe, Asia, and North America to be brought in , thereby boosting demand for flights to the airport.

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El cargo AIFA seeks to have greater cargo handling capacity by 2026. apareció primero en T21.

According to the airline’s 2025-2030 Institutional Program , published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) , Mexicana also seeks to increase cargo transportation , going from 114.63 tons last year to 1,960.46 tons by 2030.

“In terms of cargo transportation, significant growth is expected, which will support Mexican companies in their export and import operations through the operation of a fleet of 20 aircraft,” he said.

Likewise, it will aim to transport 2,630,483 passengers by 2030 , a 594% increase compared to 2024, when it carried 379,123 passengers. It also aims to have a 71% occupancy rate by 2030, which represents an increase of approximately 45% compared to 2024.

“The airline’s commercial agreements are expected to generate 112,009 passengers by 2030,” the DOF stated.

The airline announced that by the end of the aforementioned period , it should have a 3.5% domestic stake , which represents an increase of approximately 468% compared to 2024.

This  will be achieved through the establishment of 11 strategies and 58 lines of action that will contribute to “turning the company into a driving force for development in Mexico’s air transport sector, facilitating the efficient transportation of people and goods. Its vision focuses on operational excellence, the geographic expansion of air routes, innovation, and sustainability, all with a focus on customer satisfaction.”

Projecting beyond the 2030 horizon requires a long-term vision that transcends administrative cycles and lays the foundation for sustained and sustainable development.

“The vision for the future is clear: by 2050, the airline will be one of the leaders in Mexico and one of the best in Latin America. It will be recognized for its service excellence, operational efficiency, and its drive toward air connectivity and mobility for the benefit of Mexicans,” he projected.

By 2050, Mexicana estimates it will be actively involved in key domestic and international destinations , enabling it to capitalize on growth and collaboration opportunities in the airline market by consolidating a fleet of 50 modern aircraft and a broad network of commercial routes connecting various strategic regions of the country.

(Main photo taken from https://www.mexicana.gob.mx/ ) .

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El cargo Mexicana sets goals for 2030; plans to increase its fleet apareció primero en T21.