The 2026 FIFA World Cup has boosted passenger traffic at Monterrey International Airport, operated by Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA) , registering a 5.5% increase in passenger traffic from June 1 to 21, 2026, compared to the same period last year.

According to the concessionaire, 153,075 passengers from or destined for outside the country passed through that air terminal during that cycle .

“Monterrey Airport continues to play a key role in the region’s connectivity, facilitating the arrival of national and international visitors and contributing to the positioning of Nuevo León as a globally relevant destination, confirming the opportunity of the investment of more than eight billion pesos (mdp) that we continue to implement to expand, modernize and transform the Monterrey air terminal into the air hub of northern Mexico,” stated Ricardo Dueñas, CEO of OMA.

He recalled that during that period the game between Japan and Tunisia was held, where the airport served 59,898 international passengers, 12.9% higher than the same period of the previous year, growth driven by the arrival of visitors, fans, work teams, media and business travelers linked to the economic and tourist activity generated by this global event.

“The extensive network of international routes operating from Monterrey, along with the recent addition of new destinations and frequencies, has allowed us to efficiently meet the demand of travelers arriving in the city during this period of high activity,” Dueñas emphasized.

OMA estimated that with two more World Cup games to be played in the coming weeks, including South Africa vs. Korea on June 24 and the round of 32 match between the first place in Group F and the second place in Group C on June 29, the expectation is that the influx of international travelers will continue to grow .

Currently, the airport maintains operations to more than 66 destinations, 26 of which are international, and continues to implement an investment and modernization program in infrastructure, technology, and passenger experience to meet the sustained growth of air demand and strengthen its operational capacity for the coming years.

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German Lufthansa Cargo will land at Monterrey International Airport starting next June, with the arrival of more carriers such as Aerounion and Air Canada expected as well. This move will bolster Nuevo León as a logistics hub in a key region to capitalize on investments resulting from nearshoring.

“As we celebrate two decades of operating with our cargo unit this year, we reaffirm OMA Cargo’s goal to promote foreign trade by offering logistical solutions,” explained Ricardo Dueñas, director of Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA).

He noted that OMA Cargo is currently making key investments aimed at expanding warehouse capacity by 50%, digitizing cargo handling systems, and investing in electric forklifts to reduce fuel usage by 79%.

Due to the nearshoring phenomenon, experts estimate a growth of between 10% and 15% in imports and exports, prompting continued efforts to seek partnerships with other airlines to expand the route network for this service.

Meanwhile, Lufthansa Cargo will operate Frankfurt-AIFA-Monterrey-Frankfurt with an initial frequency of one flight per week using a long-range Boeing 777F freighter with a capacity of 85 tons. This will strengthen the air import and export sector in the northern region of the country and provide logistical solutions to and from Central Europe, as well as various countries in Asia and the Middle East.

“After years of planning and overcoming challenges, we are pleased to announce the start of our air cargo operations to Monterrey. Despite obstacles, including the pandemic, this is just the beginning of a strong relationship with our clients in a market we see with immense potential. We are confident in expanding our offerings soon and further strengthening our presence in the region,” stated Frank Nozinsky, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo Logistical Services in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Lufthansa Cargo will also offer daily ground services to efficiently connect with flights from Frankfurt International Airport to General Mariano Escobedo International Airport.

Furthermore, the opening of Lufthansa Cargo Logistical Services Mexico (LCSLM), a subsidiary of Lufthansa Cargo AG, will commence operations with cargo management supervision, airline representation, and serving as the point of contact in Monterrey for clients. Services are set to begin at the end of May.

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