Air cargo transport in Mexico maintains a positive trend during 2026, registering five consecutive months of growth , driven by the international market, mainly from Asia.

According to figures from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) , between January and May of this year 507,792.5 tons of cargo were moved, representing an increase of 5.5% compared to the 481,322.3 tons reported in the same period of 2025.

Of the country’s top 10 airports, the largest growth was recorded by the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) , as it ended the period with 167,262.9 tons, that is, 14,738.5 tons more.

Meanwhile, the Toluca International Airport (AIT) experienced a 27.2% year-on-year decline, going from 13,151.5 tons in the January-May 2025 cycle to 9,580.4 tons in the same period of 2026.

AFAC specified that at the domestic level there was a year-on-year drop of 0.5% , as it ended with 151,170 tons during the comparison period, that is, 759.6 tons less.

The airports of Guadalajara, Tijuana, San Luis Potosí, Hermosillo and Cancún showed a decrease during that period, with 2.1%, 4.7%, 10.6%, 23.1% and 3.9%, respectively.

Meanwhile, the international market increased by 8.3% year-on-year , rising from 329,392.7 tons to 356,622.5 tons. AIFA remains the leading airport in cargo traffic, with an 11.3% increase from January to May of this year compared to the same period in 2015.

The agency indicated that the fastest growing routes were Shanghai-AIFA with a 42.3% increase , Mexico-Madrid with 19.5% more, Saint Lucia-Frankfurt with a 1.5% increase, and Memphis-Guadalajara with 15.3 percent.

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El cargo Air cargo in Mexico marks its fifth consecutive month of growth: AFAC apareció primero en T21.

During April 2026, international air cargo traffic reached 345,900 tons to, from and within Latin America and the Caribbean, representing a year-on-year growth of 3.7 percent .

According to the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) , Colombia, Brazil and Mexico were the three largest markets in the region, as they showed year-on-year growth for the second consecutive month.

Colombia moved 82,547 tons, an increase of 3.2% compared to April 2025. Brazil moved 77,678 tons, which meant an increase of 4% annually; while Mexico transported 54,842 tons, 8.4% more than in the same month last year.

“Mexico was the third largest international air cargo market in April and the main contributor to regional growth. The result was driven by the Mexico-United States corridor, which grew 9.1% and accumulated two consecutive months of expansion after the 32.1% drop recorded in February,” the organization emphasized.

ALTA explained that this behavior coincided with a 16.3% increase in air imports from the United States to that country.

Among the main international corridors, Mexico-China registered the highest growth with 28.2%, derived from a 38.8% increase in imports from that Asian country.

Meanwhile, the United States continued to be the main source and destination market for international air cargo in the region, accounting for more than half of the tons transported.

“Traffic between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean grew 2.2% year-on-year in April and marked two consecutive months of growth,” ALTA said.

The market between Spain and Latin America and the Caribbean also maintained a positive trend during April. Air cargo grew 6.2% year-on-year, supported by increased flows between Spain and Mexico, as well as between Brazil and Spain. In the first four months of the year, traffic between the region and Spain accumulated growth of 7%.

ALTA also reported that regional growth was concentrated mainly in Mexico, Panama and Brazil , which showed most of the net increase observed in April.

In the January-April period, the market registered an expansion of 0.3% , driven mainly by growth between the United States and Argentina.

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El cargo Air cargo grows in Latin America and the Caribbean during April apareció primero en T21.

Influenced by competitive rates compared to maritime transport and e-commerce , air cargo traffic in Mexico continues to rise. From January to April 2026 alone, it registered a 6.4% increase compared to the same period last year.

According to statistics from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) , the country handled 403,069.2 tons during the first four months of the year, that is, 24,317.1 tons more year-on-year.

Humberto López, head of Air Product at  Eternity Group Mexico , explained that due to the conflict in the Middle East, as well as an increase in demand and certain complications in maritime routes, there was an increase in fares.

“The difference between air and sea freight is decreasing, and therefore, many customers, in order to meet their commitments and deliver on time, are switching from ships to planes; in other words, the volume has increased precisely because of the variations in sea freight,” he said in an interview with T21.

He specified that the merchandise being transported by plane is from e-commerce, which continues to grow despite trade restrictions and tariffs ; the Mexico-China route alone continues to increase.

“We see that, in the case of China, the fastest-growing route was from Shanghai to AIFA and from Hong Kong to Guadalajara. This has a lot to do with e-commerce, but also with electronics, spare parts in general, textiles, and consumer products; this is what has been driving the increase in volume,” he commented.

The AFAC reported that domestic cargo increased from 119,121.6 tons between January and April 2025 to 119,740.2 tons during the same period in 2026, representing a 0.5 percent rise. The airports of Querétaro, Mexico City International Airport (AICM) , Guadalajara, and Monterrey stood out in this regard, showing growth.

Internationally, cargo volume increased by 9.1% , reaching 283,329 tons by the end of the period. The Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) and Guadalajara contributed to this increase.

“The conflict affected maritime cargo and caused many customers to withdraw; on the other hand, the constant growth of e-commerce and other products on routes from Asia to Mexico, and there are also companies that have been changing their way of working, making inventory adjustments,” Humberto López emphasized.

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El cargo Air cargo in Mexico “soars” in the first four months; e-commerce plays a role apareció primero en T21.

American Airlines has appointed Paola Torri as Chief Operating Officer for Mexico and Canada, a move that seeks to support the continued growth and strength of the airline’s operations in two of its most important international markets.

“It is an honor to assume this new role and continue building upon the strong foundation our teams have created in Mexico and Canada. Throughout my career at American, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and talent of our people, and I am excited to work alongside them to further strengthen our operations, improve reliability, and deliver the exceptional service our customers expect,” said Torri.

The airline stated that this appointment is part of a broader reorganization of the management team across the region, building on the strong foundation established by the late Tony Gutiérrez, followed by José María Giraldo, who recently moved into a key leadership position in the United States.

Paola has over 25 years of experience at American Airlines . Most recently, she served as People Business Partner for the international division, based in Mexico City, supporting teams in Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. She will continue to be based in Mexico City and will report to José A. Freig, Vice President of International Operations and In-Flight Catering Services.

American Airlines will offer more than 600 weekly flights this summer and up to 760 weekly flights during the peak winter season, including its recently expanded service to Puerto Escondido. In Canada, it will operate more than 390 weekly flights and continues its expansion with new service between Calgary and New York, complementing its existing service at LaGuardia.

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El cargo American Airlines appoints Paola Torri as Director of Operations for Mexico and Canada apareció primero en T21.

Robinson Fresh, CH Robinson ‘s fresh supply chain solutions division , opened its new logistics center in South Texas, significantly expanding its cross-border capabilities between Mexico and the United States.

José Rossignoli, president of Robinson Fresh, mentioned that cross-border supply chains currently demand speed, accuracy and a strict focus on the needs of each customer.

“This South Texas facility brings those capabilities together in one location, helping customers reduce lead times, control costs, and get products to market faster. It’s another example of how we’re offering carriers an integrated package of scale, technology, expertise, and customized solutions,” he said.

He indicated that 98% of all fresh produce imported from Mexico enters the United States through Texas , New Mexico, Arizona, or California. Of that total, 55% passes through Texas, making this logistics infrastructure increasingly critical for retailers and hospitality businesses focused on speed, freshness, and reliability.

The new logistics center is located in the town of Pharr, in the Rio Grande Valley, situated near the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, the most important border crossing between these countries for perishable products, as well as the Anzalduas International Bridge and others, it has easy access to Federal Highway 281, McAllen International Airport, the railroad and the ports of Brownsville and Matamoros (Mexico).

The newly constructed building features 69 loading docks, multiple temperature zones, and value-added services, and is certified to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards and USDA organic requirements. Directly integrated into CH Robinson’s comprehensive logistics platform and the nation’s largest temperature-controlled network, it is specifically designed to support fresh produce supply chains.

Furthermore, it allows for faster customs clearance and reduced stay times at the border, has immediate refrigeration, maturation, quality control and repackaging capabilities, as well as optimized consolidation and cross-dock operations .

“The more we can inspect, cool, repackage, and label products immediately at the border, the more we expand our ability to protect product quality from the moment it enters the United States, while also giving carriers more flexibility over how and when inventory arrives at its destination,” said Todd Bernitt, the firm’s vice president of Managed Solutions.

From South Texas, customers can efficiently reach major consumer markets across the country:

• Midwest and South: in one to three days.
• East Coast: in three or four days.
• West Coast: When the market demands it.

He indicated that by shortening transit times and improving network optionality, the facility helps customers improve fill rates, on-time performance, and inventory freshness.

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El cargo CH Robinson opens logistics center for fresh produce between the US and Mexico apareció primero en T21.

CALPULALPAN, TLAXCALA – The automotive transport sector in Mexico is experiencing a period of reduced activity. The economic slowdown, increased operating costs, and reduced exports are beginning to impact fleets, with car carriers idled and more cautious investment decisions by transport companies, acknowledged Xavier Augonnet, General Director for Mexico at Lohr .

“The economy is very slow, we know that. The decisions of the American president, the wars, the increased price of diesel, the significant drop in exports from Mexico… there is a market contraction,” the executive stated.

The impact is already being felt in the sector’s daily operations. According to Augonnet, some fleets dedicated to automotive transport have reduced activity, particularly those linked to exports to the United States .

“All our clients come through here, but they are all experiencing significant slowdowns in activity, with their businesses at a standstill,” he commented.

Despite this, the French company maintains its growth plans in the country and seeks to strengthen its participation in the national market, where it currently concentrates around 10% of the segment .

The company’s strategy aims to develop more robust local operations, both in manufacturing and in after-sales services and maintenance , with the goal of directly serving Mexican carriers from its plant in Calpulalpan, Tlaxcala.

“It doesn’t make sense for customers to buy a unit in the United States and then have to import it themselves. We’re here, we have operations, we have a repair center, and we’re going to develop more services,” Augonnet emphasized.

The executive explained that a year ago the company only worked with two clients in Mexico and now operates with eight, while the goal is to continue expanding its presence in the national market.

“I was hired to develop the Mexican market. I hope that tomorrow we will have 12 or 15 clients. The point is to capture the market,” he said.

Lohr ‘s investment in Mexico is also part of a broader regional strategy. François Lhomme, president of the Lohr Group, stated that the operation in Tlaxcala serves as the company’s industrial base for North America.

“Mexico is strategic for Lohr because it represents our industrial base for all of North America,” he stated.

From this facility, the company seeks to serve not only the Mexican market, but also the United States, Canada, and later other South American countries .

“We want to use this industrial base to serve all other countries up to Brazil,” Lhomme added.

Currently, the plant maintains around 200 employees, although the company expects to continue expanding capabilities and personnel in the coming years as the regional market develops.

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El cargo Lohr maintains its commitment to Mexico despite the contraction in automotive transport apareció primero en T21.

The Labor Day holiday in China, celebrated from May 1st to 5th, presents a logistical challenge for international trade due to the temporary closure of its main economic engines. This period results in a three- to five-day pause in factories and ports, disrupting the flow of goods to key markets such as Mexico . The holiday is not an isolated event, but rather a phenomenon that overwhelms the operational infrastructure in cities like Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenzhen.

In an interview with T21, Arturo Gómez Marín, senior manager of Customs and Foreign Trade at  CGA Customs Consulting , explained the magnitude of the problem in the global supply chain .

“ Both the available space in China and the use and availability of containers are beginning to experience significant saturation, because if we look at it as a chain, there is already a demand for ships and containers. So, with this overdemand and the resulting shortage, you start to see an effect with the increase in maritime freight costs; then you begin to see a bottleneck generated by this saturation in Chinese ports,” he noted.

In Mexico, the five-day shutdown of these three Chinese ports directly impacts the customs offices in Manzanillo, Colima, and Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán , which could face bottlenecks, as delays could extend up to 15 days within the country. As a result, storage and demurrage costs increase.

“For an importer, an operator in Mexico could have an impact of up to 30 percent. Because remember that you’re dealing with the increased freight costs in China, and you’re also paying for additional handling at Mexican ports. So, you’re already seeing a significant increase,” he indicated.

The situation is further complicated by geopolitical factors, Gómez explained, such as conflicts in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz , which limit the supply of raw materials. This scarcity forces buyers to seek inputs in other regions at higher prices to avoid complete production shutdowns. The combination of holidays and geopolitical crises creates a highly uncertain scenario for importers and affects certain sectors more than others, such as the automotive industry.

“There are materials that are needed for production, and it’s more expensive not to have them than to pay those extra costs (…)  the automotive industry, of course, a plant shutdown is very costly. I think the chemical industry, because shutting down a reactor is also very complex. I believe they would be absorbing the extra costs,” he warned.

For sectors involving finished goods, such as textiles, footwear, or toys, the recommendation is usually to wait for logistics to stabilize after the holidays . However, any decision must be accompanied by sound planning to avoid compromising operations. “I believe that right now the supply chain needs to be strategic,” Gómez emphasized.

Recommendations for importers

Both Gómez and Jocelyn Martínez, senior import contracts analyst at Eternity Group Mexico , shared a series of recommendations with T21 to mitigate the impact of the holiday and ensure the continuity of business operations:

• Anticipation: Plan shipments, make bookings and shipping arrangements at least four weeks in advance of the start of the holiday and confirm itineraries.
• Document management: Request documents such as certificates of origin or invoice corrections well in advance of the closure of administrative offices in China. Also, ensure that commercial invoices, packing lists , and certificates are ready before closing time.
• Safety stock: Maintain a reserve stock that covers an additional two to four weeks of regular demand to avoid shortages.
• Direct routes: Avoid services with transshipments, as the risk of cargo being stranded in intermediate ports increases during the reorganization of shipping lines’ schedules.
• Plan B: Explore alternative ports and shipping companies to diversify entry options.
• Direct communication: Confirm with suppliers the actual dates of closure and restart of operations at 100%, as many factories extend their breaks beyond the official days.

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El cargo From Labor Day in China to logistics costs in Mexico apareció primero en T21.

Coca-Cola FEMSA obtained revenues of 70 billion 925 million pesos (mdp) in the first quarter of 2026 (1Q26), a growth of 1.1% compared to the same period in 2025.

“Our first-quarter results reflected the resilience of our business and the advantages offered by geographic diversification. Consolidated volume growth was driven by most of our operations, including strong performance in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala, which helped offset a volume decline in Mexico,” said Ian Craig, CEO of Coca-Cola FEMSA.

According to the report, gross profit was MXN 33.255 billion in Q1 2026 , representing a 4.5% increase compared to Q1 2025, and the gross margin expanded 150 basis points to 46.9% , driven by lower sweetener and PET costs, as well as the appreciation of operating currencies. However, the result was limited by higher fixed labor costs and other expenses.

Consolidated operating profit decreased by 2.3% to 9,032 million pesos during Q1 2026. Meanwhile, net profit attributable to majority shareholders closed at 4,342 million pesos, representing a year-on-year reduction of 15.5 percent.

In the Mexico and Central America region (Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua), Coca-Cola FEMSA reported a 1.4% drop in revenue, totaling 39,117 million pesos during Q1 2026 compared to 39,669 million pesos in Q1 2025. Gross profit was 19,020 million pesos, a year-on-year increase of 0.7 percent.

Conversely, operating profit fell 17.4% to 4,461 million pesos in the cycle, mainly affected by weak consumption and the Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS).

In the South America division (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay) the company recorded 31,809 million pesos in revenue in Q1 2026, an increase of 4.3% compared to the same period in 2025. Gross profit grew 10% and operating profit rose 18.8% year-on-year.

For the remainder of the year, Coca-Cola FEMSA seeks to strengthen its position through revenue management initiatives and sustainable volume growth.

The strategy includes leveraging the 2026 FIFA World Cup platform in its operating markets to boost sales. The operational focus will be on capturing efficiencies and savings to protect long-term profitability.

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The Mexican economy could grow by 1.5% in 2026 , the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) estimated , due to tensions in the global environment and the application of current restrictive financial conditions.

This projection represents an increase if one considers that the country’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025 was 0.8% compared to 2024, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) .

In its report, ECLAC adjusted its regional growth projection to 2.2% for 2026 , a decrease from the 2.3% estimated by the organization in December of last year. The report indicated that the contraction reflects current global tensions, such as the conflict in the Middle East and tariff policies.

“The deterioration of the external environment is one of the main factors behind the downward revision of regional growth projections,” he said.

According to the organization’s data, growth is projected to slow in 24 of the region’s 33 countries in 2026, while only seven are expected to show an increase. This would mark four consecutive years of projected growth close to 2.3% for the region, “demonstrating a pattern of weak growth potential.”

At the subregional level, South America would grow 2.4% in 2026 , below the 2.9% achieved in 2025, “reflecting a slowdown in most of the economies of the subregion,” according to the most recent projections of ECLAC.

Central America is projected to grow its economy by 2.2% this year , a slight contraction compared to the 2.3% growth forecast for 2025, influenced by anticipated contractions in Cuba and Haiti.  The English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean is projected to grow by 5.6% , a slight increase from the 5.5% forecast for 2025, driven by projected economic activity in Guyana.

The conflict in the Middle East and geopolitical tensions increased volatility in commodity and financial markets. The price of oil during the first three weeks of April exceeded the average price recorded in December 2015 by 74% , raising production and transportation costs globally, according to the technical report.

ECLAC noted that the World Trade Organization (WTO) projected a 2.7% increase in the volume of trade in goods and services in 2026. This figure contrasts with the 4.7% growth achieved in 2025, indicating a slowdown in the dynamism of global international trade. Meanwhile, central banks are maintaining cautious stances in the face of renewed pressure on consumer price indices.

Regional private consumption is showing less dynamism, while investment is showing signs of a recovery, albeit at moderate levels. Employment growth in the region’s economies is estimated at 1.1% in 2026, compared to 1.5% in 2025 .

Meanwhile, median inflation would be above 3%, due to the rise in imported inputs and logistics expenses, compared to 2.4% last year.

According to the United Nations regional economic commission, risks persist linked to the volatility of international markets and the weakness of domestic demand in countries; in addition to structural factors and constraints of space in public policies that affect the performance in various economies of the region analyzed.

Given this scenario, ECLAC emphasized the need to expand the mobilization of internal and external resources , and to strengthen governance to promote policies that boost investment, increase productivity and strengthen macroeconomic resilience, in a global environment where uncertainty prevails.

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DP World announced the appointment of Terry Donohoe as CEO for its operations in Mexico , with the goal of leading the logistics business in the national market . He will oversee the network comprised of five freight forwarding offices and four warehouses located in various industrial centers, supported by 800 employees.

“I am honored to assume this role and to build upon the strong foundation already established in Mexico. The market presents significant opportunities, and I look forward to working with our teams to strengthen our capabilities, support our customers’ growth, and help build more resilient and efficient supply chains across the region,” said Donohoe.

Donohoe has over 30 years of experience in global logistics and supply chain management at various companies in the sector . Since joining the company in 2023, he has served as Senior Vice President of Freight Forwarding for the Americas , where he led regional operations and oversaw the expansion of the business across the region, including markets such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Chile, and the United States.

Furthermore, under Donohoe’s leadership in the region, the company expanded its presence to 40 freight forwarding offices with a team of 400 people . Prior to joining DP World, Donohoe held positions such as Vice President of Operations in Toll Group ‘s Global Transportation division and leadership roles at Agility , Schenker , GeoLogistics , and BAX Global. 

Brian Enright, CEO of DP World Americas, highlighted that Terry has extensive experience in logistics and proven leadership in complex operations in the region , so “his track record in driving operational excellence, fostering innovation and managing high-performing teams positions him ideally to lead our operations in Mexico.”

Since its arrival in Mexico in 2021, DP World has consolidated an expanding logistics platform with a presence in the country’s main industrial and commercial hubs, including industrial centers such as Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Querétaro, and Ciudad Juárez.

The company offers comprehensive supply chain solutions encompassing transportation, warehousing, and value-added services for sectors such as automotive, technology, retail , and perishables . Furthermore, its operations focus on end-to-end international services and cross-border logistics that facilitate trade between Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

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