So far, no cargo airline has requested to resume operations at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) ,  despite the federal government’s assertion that conditions exist to receive this type of operation again during off-peak hours.

Juan José Padilla Olmos, general director of the AICM, explained that the infrastructure that previously served cargo planes still exists, although some adjustments would be necessary to meet the current needs of companies.

“It must be remembered that the infrastructure was in place to receive those aircraft. We will probably have to make some adjustments to adapt to the new needs,” he said after participating in the ceremony for the 70th anniversary of the creation of the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics, currently the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) .

The executive noted that cargo operations could be carried out during off-peak hours , primarily during the early morning, when there is a lower concentration of commercial flights.

“The slot window in the early morning runs approximately from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. there are not as many flights,” he explained.

Padilla Olmos argued that the capital’s airport no longer faces the saturation levels that prompted the departure of cargo planes to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) , due to the modernization works carried out at the terminal.

Jesús Esteva, head of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) , reiterated that there are currently operational spaces available and therefore the availability of slots was extended during the early morning.

However, he acknowledged that cargo companies based at AIFA have not shown interest in returning to the capital’s airport. As an example, he mentioned Atlas Air , whose representatives highlighted the operational advantages they currently find at Santa Lucía.

“They have no intention of returning; on the contrary, they thank us for strengthening AIFA, the efficiency in customs, and the growth they are seeing in the transport of electronics,” he commented.

Esteva emphasized that, although the government raised the possibility of resuming operations at the AICM, no company has requested spaces so far .

Regarding the potential addition of new routes and frequencies following the lifting of restrictions by the United States, Padilla Olmos indicated that the AFAC will be responsible for reporting on any applications submitted, while the airport will remain prepared to handle any increase in demand.

In that regard, the AICM will continue with its infrastructure remodeling and expansion program, which includes improvements to waiting rooms, warehouses and new taxiways to expedite the movement of aircraft on the apron and runways.

It is worth remembering that on October 16, the SICT reported that the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) decided to revoke the restrictions that prevented Mexican airlines from opening new flights from AIFA and AICM to the United States, thus reopening the possibility of developing routes and frequencies to and from the US market.

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El cargo Cargo airlines have shown no interest in returning to Mexico City International Airport (AICM), authorities say. apareció primero en T21.

The U.S. government confirmed that any airline from that country will resume or begin cargo flights to Mexico City International Airport (AICM) , as part of the commitments that the Mexican federal administration acquired to comply with the bilateral air agreement.

According to a document from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) , since May 1, this agency and the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) concluded a Memorandum of Consultation (MOC) that detailed the actions necessary to restore the full implementation of the agreement.

“He confirmed that any US airline that wishes to resume or begin operating full cargo services at AICM is eligible to receive slots (takeoff and landing times),” he explained.

Similarly, the document, dated October 16, indicated that the SICT committed to returning all slots at said airport that were confiscated from the combined US airlines and to aligning its slot allocation practices , capacity declarations, and consultation with users of said infrastructure with international best practices.

Since May of this year, the DOT has been closely monitoring efforts to meet its MOC commitments. Currently, the Mexican government has returned many of the slots that had been confiscated from the combined U.S. airlines. Furthermore, the SICT has committed to returning the remaining slots when the U.S. airlines are ready to resume the flights they had to suspend.

These actions are being taken because the Mexican government conducted a consultation with all users of the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) regarding the capacity declaration, based on a capacity analysis for the airport. According to the SICT (Secretariat of Communications and Transportation), all users had the opportunity to provide their input.

“Given these developments, we have determined that the actions taken by Mexico to date sufficiently address the Department’s concerns,” he said.

On October 16, the SICT reported that the DOT decided to revoke the restrictions that prevented Mexican airlines from opening new flights from the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) and the AICM to the United States, thus reopening the possibility of developing routes and frequencies to and from the US market.

The measure revokes Order 213-2, through which the DOT had restricted existing, proposed and future operations of Mexican carriers.

The National Chamber of Air Transport (Canaero) celebrated the measure, which it considered ” a relevant step to provide greater certainty to the industry and advance with actions that favor the development of passenger and cargo services, for the benefit of users, tourism, trade and the economic integration of both nations.”

For its part, Volaris highlighted that this will allow it to advance in the connectivity of routes between the Mexico City Metropolitan Area and destinations in the United States.

Viva stated that it will begin evaluating possible routes “considering the operational conditions” .

It is worth remembering that in February 2023, the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador ordered, by presidential decree, the transfer of cargo airlines to AIFA, with the argument of decongesting air traffic at AICM and improving passenger safety.

Meanwhile, on July 19, 2025, the U.S. government announced it would take various measures against Mexico for canceling flight schedules for U.S. airlines and forcing cargo carriers to relocate their operations away from Mexico City International Airport (AICM). On October 28, 2025, the United States canceled 13 routes scheduled by Mexican airlines for passenger and cargo transport to the U.S. from AICM and AIFA, due to Mexico’s failure to comply with the Air Transport Agreement signed in 2015.

Almost a year after that measure, the Department of Transportation of the northern neighbor lifted, on October 16, the restrictions that prevented Mexican airlines from making new flights to that country from both Mexican airports.

According to data from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) , US airlines in regular service transported 81,837.84 tons in the period January-August 2026 , reflecting the relevance of this measure.

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El cargo Cargo returns to Mexico City International Airport (AICM); Mexico gives green light to US airlines apareció primero en T21.

Airports Council International (ACI) called on governments to incorporate airport capacity growth into their long-term national infrastructure and economic development plans, as well as to modernize slot allocation policies (takeoff and landing times).

“We are asking governments to plan ahead for aviation growth, enable capacity before reaching a tipping point, and modernize regulatory frameworks and slot policies . And we cannot ask airports to expand their capacity while limiting their ability to finance it. It simply doesn’t work,” said Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World.

At WAGA 2026 – ACI-LAC / ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition , jointly organized by ACI World and ACI-LAC and hosted by Lima Airport Partners, it was emphasized that the global airport sector will require approximately US$4.6 trillion in investments by 2055 to meet projected demand growth. However, it was stressed that the challenge lies not only in building new infrastructure, but also in optimizing existing capacity, strengthening coordination among airports, airlines, and air navigation service providers, and establishing stable regulatory frameworks to attract the necessary investments.

In this context, he said that the modernization of airport slot policies and market access acquires strategic importance ; therefore, he specified that the allocation goes beyond the operational coordination of schedules, that is, the policies that regulate access to airports with limited capacity can have direct implications on connectivity, competition and socio-economic development.

Rafael Echevarne, Director General of Airports Council International-Latin America and Caribbean (ACI-LAC) , considered that the modernization of slot policies is particularly relevant for Latin America and the Caribbean , where a more efficient use of airport capacity can contribute to strengthening connectivity, expanding competition and supporting economic growth.

“Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, governments are working to expand tourism and attract investment. Modern slot policies can help support these priorities by making the best use of available airport capacity. Slots are more than an operational process. They are a strategic tool that determines access to markets,” he noted.

During the event, the growth prospects for global and regional air traffic were also presented.

According to estimates, global passenger traffic will double by 2047 compared to 2025 levels , with an average annual growth rate of 3.5 percent. After reaching a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, global growth slowed during the first half of 2026, when 4.7 billion passengers were recorded, an increase of 0.6 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, traffic is expected to reach 809 million passengers in 2026 and practically double by 2045, reaching about 1.5 billion passengers.

To respond to this growth and maintain adequate service levels, ACI-LAC estimated that approximately $178 billion in investments will be needed over the next 30 years to modernize and expand the region’s airport infrastructure.

Echevarne mentioned that compared to 2019, 133 airports are registering passenger traffic levels lower than pre-pandemic levels, while the region has lost about 20% of its connections between city pairs.

To further boost the development of air transport, he recalled that ACI-LAC promotes greater liberalization of the sector, going beyond traditional bilateral agreements and reducing barriers that hinder market access , with the aim of fostering competition and expanding regional connectivity.

“ACI-LAC is very clear on this: international experience shows that liberalization can boost the development of air transport. What we need now is for governments to move from signing agreements to implementing them,” Echevarne stated.

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El cargo ACI calls for long-term plans for airports and slot policies apareció primero en T21.

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.

Lufthansa , the German airline, announced that its plans for the Mexican market include increasing flights from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to Munich by the end of 2026, thus once again ruling out a possible landing at Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) .

Frank Naeve, senior vice president of Global Sales and Distribution for Lufthansa Group Passenger Airlines, said they expect the AICM authorities to grant them the slots (takeoff and landing times) to begin the new flights.

“This decision to increase flights is recent. We will be approaching the authorities to explore the possibility of implementing this increase. We want to bring more tourism to Mexico. We will continue investing in Mexico, working with our partners in the country, and seeking opportunities in this market, which is very important to us,” he emphasized.

At a press conference commemorating the airline’s 60th anniversary of operations in Mexico , Lufthansa acknowledged the limitations on flight slots at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) , but stated that this does not diminish their interest in investing in the country. “We will discuss this with the authorities to determine the extent to which we will be able to operate additional flights,” they explained.

“We don’t have a plan B. We’ve been fighting for years to have more operations in the country, and we’re happy that our parent company is investing in and believing in Mexico. The limit of 44 operations per hour doesn’t allow us to grow in Mexico City, even though passenger demand will continue to grow in the coming years; hopefully, we can have more operations in the future,” Naeve said.

Regarding AIFA, he reiterated that it is a very good airport, but what is needed is better access for passengers to reach this infrastructure . “At the moment, we have no plans or vision for operating at Felipe Ángeles Airport in the future, but if ground transportation can be improved, it will be feasible.”

He noted that they currently operate daily flights to Frankfurt and Munich with three frequencies, so if approved by the AICM, the latter would increase to five weekly frequencies.

For the 2026 World Cup, Naeve commented that they have operations in each of the cities where games will be held , “we are seeing a lot of demand and making sure that football fans get to their matches.”

“There is a lot of additional demand, especially from Europe, to see the games, and we will be there to transport soccer fans to the 13 matches that will be played in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara,” he noted.

At a general level, Frank Naeve recalled that they will receive 220 aircraft, one every week starting this year , whose investment will be three billion euros annually until 2032, in addition to the actions they carry out in cabin service, where they allocate resources of 70 million euros, “we want the experience of traveling with us to be more comfortable going forward.”

Regarding a possible impact from the rise in jet fuel prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East, he ruled out any problems arising from this situation, as they have a dedicated unit for the supply of this fuel, which includes advance purchases to ensure stability.

“We are reviewing flights across our network to reduce them due to the high cost of fuel. Last week, we made the decision to cut 1% of Lufthansa Group flights on short routes within Europe and also to cancel operations for a German airline that operated for us. We are talking about 20,000 flights affecting our hubs in Frankfurt and Munich; there is no impact on Mexico. We are closely monitoring this geopolitical situation to make the right decisions,” he emphasized.

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El cargo Lufthansa seeks to expand operations at Mexico City International Airport (AICM); rules out landing at Federal Airport (AIFA) apareció primero en T21.

LIMA, PE.- Mexico needs to work on a master plan for the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) that will allow it to meet the growth expected in the coming years, as it requires a “dramatic change” and not just an aesthetic one, like the one being carried out in the framework of the 2026 World Cup.

“It has to be a national agenda. We know that the airports we have today are the ones we’ll have in the coming years. First, we need to develop a master plan for the next 25 years and start planning the budgets, choosing who will do the construction, and how it will be designed,” emphasized Peter Cerdá, regional vice president of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the Americas.

In an interview with T21, within the framework of the 19th IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS) , which is being held in Lima, Peru, he reiterated the need for the master plan, since a growth of between 4% and 8% year-on-year is expected at the AICM in passenger traffic over the next 14 or 15 years.

“We need a master plan to be developed so we know what the airport designs are and can work together. We want to implement the best practices that have been used at other airports. IATA has collaborated with the Mexican government on the construction of Tulum Airport and the verification of Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) . We have experience and want to contribute, but the airport does require a dramatic change to adapt to the growth of Mexico City,” he stated.

He mentioned that the analysis will have to determine whether a third terminal needs to be built or what changes are required in Terminal 1. He recalled that in the case of LaGuardia Airport in New York, a new terminal was built on top of the existing infrastructure, although it had no impact on passengers; “the impact was minimal.”

Cerdá considered that although the AICM remains the main entry point to Mexico, various airlines such as Air France or Iberia have expanded their connectivity to other airports such as Guadalajara, Cancun or Monterrey , “that gives the airport some breathing room, but it still remains the most important point of entry, especially in economic terms.”

Regarding the allocation of airport slots (takeoff and landing times) in the country under international standards, Cerdá expressed confidence that implementation will take place this year, given that progress is between 85% and 90% complete, although work remains on issues such as the regulatory framework. In this regard, he indicated that the goal is for implementation before the third quarter of the year.

“What we’re trying to do is accelerate that implementation. There’s no reason to wait until the end of the year, when we can already start working on certain mechanisms. There’s a regulatory framework that has the approval of the Congress of the Union to amend laws, but in a government where Congress is from the same political party, it should be relatively quick and easy. We want to move it forward because we see great opportunities for improvement, and there’s really no need to delay it any longer,” he stated.

Peter Cerdá announced that they will be meeting with the head of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) , Jesús Esteva, in the coming months to maintain a close and open relationship, with the purpose of working in an aligned manner so that the aeronautical industry can contribute to the development of the country.

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El cargo Mexico City International Airport (AICM) needs a master plan to address growth in the coming years: IATA apareció primero en T21.

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) confirmed that Mexican airlines ceded six slots (takeoff and landing times) as part of their response to requests from the United States, regarding the alleged breach of the air agreement between the two countries.

“The airlines ceded slots; those have already been handed over. In some cases, they’ve already been taken up, and in others, on a different date. There are no cargo flights; they have more space and slots at AIFA and stated that they are satisfied and that there are some things to improve, but there will be monthly meetings,” said Jesús Esteva, head of SICT.

In a meeting with the media, he also mentioned that during the meetings held with authorities of that country, the procedure for distributing the schedules was clarified, which are under international standards; however, this action will be implemented through a system in charge of the agency or the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) , and not of the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) .

“ The Navy is in the process of finalizing the software acquisition , and we presented them with dates for when it would enter service. They also suggested that it be an external entity, not the airport itself; so it would be SICT or AFAC with a board,” he noted.

However, meetings with the DOT will continue in the following days and roundtables will be held to resolve this issue.

Remodeling in progress

Regarding the remodeling of the AICM, he stated that it is progressing despite the complexity due to the operations.

Furthermore, he confirmed that they are still in talks with the taxi drivers , although it is expected that an agreement will be reached with all the transport operators in the coming weeks.

Similarly, Jesús Esteva said, regarding the expansion of the suburban train to AIFA , that the civil works are already completed, although some pedestrian crossings still need to be enclosed; however, it would begin operations at the beginning of next year.

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El cargo US airlines receive airport slots again; cargo planes remain at AIFA. apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican government confirmed that Mexican airlines ceded takeoff and landing slots at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to their US counterparts , while at AIFA they will seek improvements in cargo handling.

This was announced by Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, in response to the request made by her counterpart Donald Trump through the  Department of Transportation (DOT), stemming from the alleged breach of the Air Transport Agreement signed between both countries in 2015, and the impact on US airlines due to the reduction of slots at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and the relocation of cargo aircraft to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) .

“For some weeks now, prior to that meeting, a distribution of slots was made, a new distribution, in which Mexican airlines cede their spaces to US airlines within a framework of competitiveness,” he said in his conference.

He specified that the above is being done after meetings with DOT authorities, however, he insisted that they will continue to promote both airports.

“It’s not a question of whether it’s AIFA versus Benito Juárez, or the cargo on one or the other, although there is a decree that must be respected, but rather the fact that it’s very important for them to recognize the importance of promoting both airports, also with their US airlines. So, that was the first thing we proposed, that they understand that it is the obligation of the Mexican government to promote both airports: Benito Juárez and Felipe Ángeles International Airport. And they were very receptive to that,” he said.

In this regard, he indicated that the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) and the AICM authorities will announce how the schedules will be distributed.

He also commented that next year a more advanced digital system will come into operation, which will allow for sufficient competition and distribution among all airlines at this airport.

Regarding cargo airlines, he mentioned that he met with the companies to learn what’s needed for their operations at AIFA. “There are some customs procedures that need improvement , and they raised some other issues, and we’re going to support them in this process. But overall, the atmosphere is good, let’s say. And the talks will continue for several weeks with the understanding that we can reach an agreement.”

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El cargo Mexico relinquishes slots and will seek improved cargo operations at AIFA apareció primero en T21.

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) announced the general bases for the assignment of landing and takeoff times ( slots ) at aerodromes in saturation conditions , such as Mexico City International Airport (AICM) .

“The goal is to achieve optimal efficiency in the use of airport infrastructure, with the aim of maximizing benefits for the largest possible number of airport users, and ensuring operational safety and the continuity of air operations,” the agency explained.

The measure, which was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) , came into effect this Wednesday, October 15 .

The SICT reported that the airport administrator will assign landing and takeoff times only to those air carriers who request them each season.

This will have to be carried out taking into account the non-binding recommendations of the Operations and Schedules Committee, and in accordance with the reports issued by the schedule coordinator and the determinations issued by the delay subcommittee.

It also establishes that the airport administrator must assign landing and takeoff times per hour , in accordance with the declared operating capacity of both the runways and the airport terminal buildings.

“The number of landing and takeoff times assigned must not exceed the airport’s hourly operating capacity or the passenger capacity that can be served by the terminal building,” he added.

He maintained that they can only retain landing and takeoff schedules that they intend to operate, transfer, exchange, or use in a joint operation.

Otherwise, they must return to the airport administrator all time slots they do not plan to use during the season , within the deadline for returning landing and takeoff time slots.

In addition, airport administrators of airports experiencing saturation conditions in the airfield or terminal buildings must modify their operating rules within 15 business days of publication in the DOF, and must submit them for authorization to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) .

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El cargo SICT publishes bases for slot allocation at saturated airports apareció primero en T21.

The reduction in operations at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) , the relocation of cargo to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) , among other actions, were carried out as a result of a technical and not a subjective decision, therefore there is no justification for any possible sanction by the United States government in air matters, assured Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico.

El cargo Changes at AICM and move to AIFA were a technical decision, not a subjective one: Sheinbaum apareció primero en T21.