The efficiency of customs processes will be a key factor in maintaining Mexico’s logistical competitiveness in an environment marked by the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). For FedEx Mexico , it is essential that regulatory reviews and compliance controls do not become obstacles to the smooth flow of goods.

Jorge Torres, the company’s Vice President of Operations, stated in an interview with T21 that, as a logistics and courier operator with defined delivery commitments and transit times, the speed of customs processes must evolve at the same pace as supply chains .

“We emphasize that compliance with the relevant regulations should not negatively impact the speed of package movement. When there is over-regulation, even if we arrive by plane, if the package is going to be held up in customs for two or three days for some kind of compliance process, that is detrimental not only to FedEx but also to the industry, the user, and the country’s competitiveness,” he stated.

The executive explained that this proposal was one of the topics the company raised during the roundtables convened by the Ministry of Economy to gather opinions from various productive sectors in anticipation of the USMCA review. However, he assured that the company is preparing to adapt to any changes that may arise from the process.

“We are analyzing with our clients the behavior of goods flows, production, and the types of products that will be purchased, transported, and delivered. It is an event we are anticipating, and we are closely monitoring the progress of the USMCA. Regardless of the plans, we will have a modernized agreement with new rules, and we are ready to understand which components are being updated to continue supporting the flow of goods between the three countries,” he stated.

Torres highlighted that productive integration between Mexico, the United States, and Canada has reached levels that make it difficult to identify the single origin of many manufactured goods, particularly in industries such as the automotive industry.

“It’s not that a car is made in the United States or Mexico, it’s made in the North American region,” he said.

Therefore, he considered that, regardless of the adjustments made to the trade agreement, the dynamics of exchange between the three economies will continue to be driven by the deep integration of their value chains.

Regarding operations, the Vice President of Operations indicated that FedEx is not currently considering opening new air routes between Mexico and the United States. However, he emphasized that the flexibility of its global network, supported by a fleet of approximately 700 cargo aircraft , allows it to increase frequencies as needed in markets such as Monterrey, Toluca, Querétaro, and Guadalajara when demand requires it.

“There is no specific plan for air routes or new airports,” he stated.

Regarding the behavior of air cargo in Toluca, he explained that the observed variations are due to economic and political factors that impact trade flows on a global scale.

“It’s part of the regular dynamics of foreign trade at any airport,” he stressed.

According to data from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) , during the first quarter of this year, the Toluca International Airport moved 5,339.2 tons of cargo, a decrease of 33.7% compared to the 8,054 tons registered in the same period of 2025.

Despite this, Torres stressed that the company maintains a constant evaluation of opportunities to expand frequencies or develop new routes, both in Mexico and in other markets where it operates.

“The idea is that we continue serving the Mexico City metropolitan area and 12 surrounding states in the south-central part of the country through Toluca for the next few years. With the value proposition of establishing a presence in Toluca, we even cover Hidalgo, which is near the Felipe Ángeles Airport; even with our current coverage, we meet their needs,” he stated.

35 years in Mexico

Thirty-five years after arriving in the Mexican market, FedEx has consolidated an infrastructure that allows it to connect the country to its global transportation and logistics network . It currently has coverage in 32,000 postal codes, 82 service stations, and nearly 500 shipping centers distributed throughout the country.

Its air operations are supported by six strategic airports: Guadalajara, Monterrey, Toluca, Querétaro, Tijuana, and Mérida. From these terminals, it operates six daily flights to the United States, four of them using Boeing 767 aircraft bound for Memphis, and two more operated with ATR 72 aircraft from Tijuana to San Diego and from Mérida to Miami. It also has a national ground distribution center and another specializing in logistics services.

“It’s 35 years of history, legacy, growth, learning, and contribution to the country’s economic growth and competitiveness through support for all businesses, from small and medium-sized enterprises to entrepreneurs and large industries,” Jorge Torres emphasized.

The executive emphasized that the company’s growth has been closely linked to the development of strategic sectors in different regions of the country . In Guadalajara, for example, the technology, automotive, and aerospace industries have driven increased logistics demand, while in Tijuana, the pharmaceutical and electronics sectors have been the main drivers.

“The growth of the six ramps has been very significant, taking into account each of the markets. In the case of Guadalajara, we implemented a flight that now goes not only to Memphis but also to Oklahoma, to the eastern part of the United States, to more efficiently connect the products coming from Asia, which are raw materials and precursors for incorporation into the production processes of the western market of the country,” he commented.

He also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point for the logistics industry by significantly accelerating the digitalization of consumption. The boom in e-commerce, which saw growth of nearly 80% in 2020 , according to data from the Mexican Online Sales Association (AMVO) , forced companies to strengthen their technological and operational capabilities.

In the case of FedEx, this context drove the development of digital tools aimed at optimizing the planning and execution of its operations.

“We have developed tools that help us be more efficient, predictive consumption models so that the planning of the operation is more effective,” he highlighted.

As part of this modernization strategy, the company is also moving forward with the incorporation of a fleet of 188 electric vehicles, with the aim of strengthening the sustainability of its operations in the country.

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The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) revealed that it will decide next year whether to increase operations at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) , as well as new routes to Toluca.

Jesús Esteva, head of the federal agency, explained that the request from AICM is currently being analyzed by the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC)  and the  Services for Navigation in Mexican Airspace (Seneam). 

“The evaluation will take place in the first third of next year. It can be assessed whether certain works or actions are carried out to allow the runway to be optimized in terms of distances or baggage handling. It is not just about increasing operations, but everything in the surroundings to maintain times for users,” he said in a meeting with the media.

It is worth remembering that it was in January of this year that, by decree and due to saturation problems, the previous federal administration imposed a reduction from 52 to 43 takeoff and landing operations per hour at AICM, ruling out international flights.

This decision was not the first by the administration, as in August 2022 it authorized a reduction during the winter season, from 61 to 52 operations per hour during the busy hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:59 p.m.

Although Jesús Esteva said that this decrease in operations has allowed AICM to position itself as one of the most punctual airports worldwide.

Regarding the expansion of routes at the Toluca International Airport (AIT), he stated that these are under review and only the request from the authorities of this terminal was accepted.

He explained that the federal government will announce the plan related to the country’s aviation, although it will be related to the modernization and expansion of airports such as Tamuín or AICM, “we are integrating all the actions in the different airports, although some are concessioned.”

The head of SICT assured that this strategy will be included in the National Infrastructure Plan of the current administration, which will be presented next January.

“It will be in the middle or end of next month, we have to finish visiting all the states because the plan, although we have what the president has already promised, is adding some issues that the governors are raising and that is why it has not been announced yet,” he said.

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The Mexico City Airport Group (GACM) , sectorized in the Secretariat de Marina , joined as a shareholder of the Toluca International Airport (AIT) after Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) gave it 25% of the shares.

“This transfer was made following instructions from the President of the Republic and once all the legal requirements for the transfer of shares were met, which makes GACM a shareholder of this airport company,” they indicated in a statement.

He specified that joining as a partner represents an important step in the integration into the airport system in the center of the country, since the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) is also sectorized in the Navy and this will allow establishing a coordination relationship. and collaboration to serve the region.

It should be noted that the AIT mobilized more than 1,500,000 passengers last year and will seek to exceed this figure in 2024.

With these actions, the GACM is now in charge of six assigned airports.

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