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.

Viva (formerly Viva Aerobus) launched two new routes connecting Mexico, through the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) , with Medellín and Cartagena, Colombia, which will serve to strengthen the international connectivity of this Mexican airport.

According to the airline, the Medellín route has four weekly flights: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays outbound; and Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays inbound, as it is an overnight flight. Meanwhile, the Cartagena route has three weekly flights: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays outbound; and Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays inbound.

Viva first arrived in Colombia in 2021, when it began operating routes from Mexico City and Cancún to Bogotá. Subsequently, two additional routes to the capital were added from Guadalajara in 2022 and Monterrey in 2023, further strengthening connectivity between Mexico and Colombia.

To date, the Mexican airline has already transported more than one million passengers across its four active routes in the South American country.

“These connections will also help boost domestic tourism, since upon landing at AIFA, Colombian passengers have the opportunity to conveniently connect with Viva’s network of more than 35 domestic and international routes at this airport,” the company stated.

These include destinations such as Acapulco, Cancun, Guadalajara, Merida, Monterrey, Puerto Vallarta, Tijuana, and others.

Upon landing at AIFA, travelers have several ground transportation options . One of these is Vivabus, a ground transportation service offered by the airline that connects passengers to key points in Mexico City such as the Angel of Independence, the Central de Autobuses del Norte (North Bus Terminal), and the Central de Autobuses del Sur (South Bus Terminal) Tasqueña. They can also board the Suburban Train from the airport, which will connect them directly to the Buenavista station in the city center.

“These new routes come just in time to facilitate the arrival of Colombian tourists who wish to attend the matches of the most important sporting event in the world, where the Colombian National Team will be playing in various Mexican venues,” he explained.

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El cargo These are Viva’s new routes from AIFA to Colombia apareció primero en T21.

The agreement between Volaris and Viva (Viva Aerobus) that will create the Más Vuelos Group, although surprising, was necessary in Mexico; moreover, it will result in a giant of Latin American aviation, however, it could create a duopoly where Grupo Aeroméxico will have to implement strategies to remain competitive , agreed specialists in the aviation sector.

Ricardo Dadoo, president of  Logistics Dadoo , considered that this announcement creates an oligopolistic situation that, although it was indicated that they will remain separate, once they have the required approvals in both Mexico and the United States, the operations will be integrated, which would be happening in three years.

“They will coordinate schedules, set fares, offer discounts, and achieve significant commercial and cost synergies. This will generate a return on investment for Volaris’ owners within three to five years, something they wouldn’t have achieved with any other available option. Volaris secured a great deal because the Viva brand, its profitability, productivity per aircraft, and the commercial synergies it has through passenger buses make it more valuable. However, a 50/50 merger is very difficult to believe and conceive,” he told T21.

He mentioned that due to the lack of interest from airline investors, as well as from other companies to buy Volaris, among other circumstances, the shareholders of this company opted for a merger with another Mexican airline .

Fabricio Cojuc, aviation consultant and co-founder of the Altitude Aviation Leaders podcast , commented that the union of both airlines will result in a giant of Latin American aviation , with more than 250 A320 family aircraft and more than 60 million passengers annually.

Furthermore, the efficiencies that will be achieved will translate into an improvement of the low-fare model, which is the backbone of Viva and Volaris’ success.

“Together, the two airlines will be able to develop some secondary airports in Mexico as regional hubs and grow others into major key cities, thus expanding air service coverage beyond their individual capacities,” he stressed.

Ricardo Dadoo added that this new alliance will prompt Grupo Aeroméxico to explore options to remain competitive. “Aeroméxico’s product is the best of the three, but Viva has found its niche and has been very well received, maintaining excellent relationships with its suppliers and employees. For passengers, the addition of Volaris is excellent news.”

According to Grupo Financiero Monex , the new group aims to generate economies of scale that reduce fleet ownership costs , improve access to capital, and strengthen the financial profile—critical factors in an environment marked by supply chain pressures and rising maintenance and engine costs.

 “Both airlines emphasized that they will share an operating model based on point-to-point flights and low fares, which will facilitate commercial and technical integration. Compatibility in fleet, infrastructure, and reservation systems anticipates substantial synergies in costs and distribution. From our perspective, this move positions the group to compete more aggressively against regional and global rivals in a market where the recovery of air traffic and the expansion of tourism remain key catalysts,” he stated.

Looking ahead to 2026, he considered that the focus should be on how consolidation will allow the new company to reduce some vulnerability to operational shocks , the expansion of the Ultra Low Cost Carrier model, savings from joint purchases, optimization of modern fleets, among others.

Furthermore, this merger should generate greater domestic and international connectivity , with new operational bases and potential agreements that contribute to greater exposure in the region.

Also, an equitable shareholding structure and the expectation of operational synergies in the medium term , although the challenge will be that the transaction is still subject to conditions and regulatory approvals, expectations on market perception and rating agencies.

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El cargo Viva and Volaris, the coming duopoly? apareció primero en T21.

Volaris and Viva (Viva Aerobus) announced an agreement to merge and form the Mexican Airline Group under a holding company structure, with the goal of increasing low-cost air travel and connectivity in Mexico and abroad.

The chairman of the board of this new group would be Roberto Alcántara , current chairman of the board of Viva. In addition, the existing management teams in both companies will remain, including the CEOs, and the board will be composed of 12 directors, six from each company.

Under the terms of the agreement, the shareholders will combine their holding companies through a merger of equals . Viva shareholders will receive newly issued shares from Volaris’s holding company, and Volaris shareholders will retain their existing shares. Each shareholder group will own 50% of Grupo Mexicano de Aerolíneas on a fully diluted basis.

In a statement, they detailed that the new group expects to achieve optimized unit costs with low leverage and better access to lower-cost capital. This also applies to fleet costs, where both companies will continue to pursue sustainable, demand-driven growth.

“Volaris and Viva operate with a high degree of compatibility in fleet, airport infrastructure, technology, reservation systems, suppliers and technical capabilities, generating a substantial potential for synergies,” they said.

The two airlines will maintain their current operations under their separate operating certificates and distinct brands, preserving existing route options for passengers, while further expanding point-to-point travel options.

“We believe that the formation of the new group will allow us to boost the growth of aviation in Mexico, in line with the low-price, point-to-point flight model that has revolutionized our industry over the last two decades,” said Enrique Beltranena, president and CEO of Volaris.

This transaction is expected to generate significant benefits for employees, passengers, society in general, suppliers and shareholders, as well as boost investment, employment, air connectivity, tourism, and economic development in the country.

“The intention is that this transaction will allow both Viva and Volaris to offer lower fares and more point-to-point flights to more cities throughout Mexico and abroad, benefiting not only passengers, but also local economies and communities,” said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of Viva.

In this context, they reiterated that the transaction will result in lower fleet ownership costs, better access to capital, and a stronger financial position . This will allow both airlines to expand their low-cost service offerings, making air travel more accessible to a wider range of passengers, with the aim of broadening their market reach and stimulating demand.

The boards of directors of both airlines unanimously approved the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals. It is expected to be completed in 2026. The shares of the holding company will continue to be publicly traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

According to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) , Volaris had 143 registered aircraft as of September 30th and Viva had 96 , while Grupo Aeroméxico had 167. However, on their social media, the former celebrated the arrival of its 150th aircraft and the latter its 100th a few weeks ago.

The latest AFAC report detailed that from January to October of this year, Volaris and Viva grew by 5.7% and 7.6%, respectively, in passenger traffic nationwide compared to the same period in 2024, while Grupo Aeroméxico fell by 6.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Viva positioned itself in first place in domestic market share, with 39.5 percent.

Meanwhile, the international market was led by Grupo Aeroméxico, with a year-on-year increase of 2.7%.

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El cargo Volaris and Viva “fly” towards a merger apareció primero en T21.

Following the announcement of the agreement with Viva (Viva Aerobus) and Grupo Mexicano de Aerolíneas, Volaris ‘ stock is currently positioned with a gain of 16.7% on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) , with a price per share of 17.35 pesos.

In a conference with analysts, Enrique Beltranena, president of Volaris, stated that through the new holding company, they seek to accelerate the growth of air travel in Mexico and internationally, taking advantage of economies of scale, as well as their connectivity.

“We see an opportunity for the aviation sector in Mexico to continue driving the democratization of air travel. We will remain separate operators and brands while benefiting from a stronger financial foundation at the group level. This structure supports employees, passengers, shareholders, and local communities, while also strengthening the broader aviation ecosystem,” he said.

Similarly, he indicated that if approved, they will be supporting key markets, such as the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) , among others, “where we see potential, we will expand our connectivity to the north and south of our borders, additional international destinations, strengthening our offerings and routes.”

He highlighted that the Mexican Airlines Group will have 250 new generation Airbus aircraft, and growth will be based on demand, which would guarantee sustainable growth.

“The formation of a new group has clear and significant benefits for our passengers. We will seek to expand our offerings of options and routes. While opening up new connectivity opportunities in Mexico and international markets, this will be supported by enhanced loyalty programs and broader global partnerships. To our people, we thank our more than 12,000 employees for their daily dedication and commitment to our passengers and operations. We remain committed to being a top-tier employer in Mexico and creating greater opportunities for growth and development,” said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of Viva.

They reiterated that this transaction provides a stronger cost structure , will provide financial stability from a more robust balance sheet with better capitalization, strong liquidity and a solid leverage profile.

According to data from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), Volaris and Viva together surpassed Grupo Aeroméxico in passenger handling internationally during the period January – October 2025 compared to the same period last year.

While at the national level both airlines continue to lead this market, the former have transported 38.4 million passengers compared to the 13.2 million users of the firm led by Andrés Conesa.

In terms of cargo, the outlook is reversed, as Grupo Aeroméxico leads the international transport of goods.

In the domestic market, both Aeromexico and Aeromexico Connect continue to lead in this segment.

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El cargo Volaris shares “take off” after creation of new group with Viva apareció primero en T21.

After the United States government announced yesterday the cancellation of 13 routes by Mexican airlines to that country from the  Mexico City International Airport (AICM)  and  Felipe Ángeles Airport (AIFA) , the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, rejected the decision of the northern neighbor and described the measure as “unfounded” .

In her morning press conference this Wednesday, Sheinbaum said that she instructed Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente to request an urgent meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the head of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) , Sean Duffy, to review the decision and demand formal explanations .

Sheinbaum defended the transfer of cargo operations from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) as a sovereign decision, based on security and civil protection criteria due to AICM’s saturation. She asserted that cargo companies, including those from the United States, are satisfied operating from AIFA .

He also requested that the National Antitrust Commission (CNA) conduct a technical analysis to determine whether the DOT provisions are intended to benefit other airlines .

Reactions from the airline industry

The DOT order has generated concern among Mexican airlines and industry unions. Viva Aerobus reported that it is evaluating the impact of the measure on its operations from AIFA (Felipe Ángeles International Airport), whose routes beginning in November will be affected , including Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando, Austin, and Dallas, among others. However, the airline clarified that flights from other airports and AICM (Mexico City International Airport) to the United States will not be affected. The airline is confident that dialogue between authorities will lead to a solution .

Volaris, for its part, considered that the cargo regulations would have a “marginal effect” on its operations. However, it confirmed that the order prevents the approval of its new route between Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and Newark, New Jersey, scheduled to begin on November 2. The airline is in contact with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) to explore alternatives.  Aeroméxico has not yet issued a statement on the matter.

For its part, the Mexican Air Pilots Association (ASPA) expressed its “deep concern” about the implications of the order , which includes a proposal to prohibit cargo transport on combined flights from Mexico City International Airport (AICM). The organization warned that these provisions could affect air connectivity, the competitiveness of the national aviation sector, and thousands of jobs .

While the Mexican College of Airline Pilots (CPAM) expressed its concern regarding the measures, noting that they severely affect connectivity between the two countries, and that the revocation of routes from AIFA and AICM impacts major Mexican airlines, putting thousands of jobs at risk . The organization urged the Mexican government to reconsider the decree that expelled air cargo from AICM and proposed establishing a technical working group with all stakeholders in the sector to “restore the confidence of our trading partners.”

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that next Friday she will meet with representatives from Aeromexico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus to learn their positions and move towards a solution through dialogue and understanding.

It’s worth recalling that on October 28, the DOT announced the cancellation of 13 scheduled routes from Mexico to the United States operated by Mexican airlines from AIFA and AICM. According to the DOT, the measure was taken due to Mexico’s failure to comply with the Air Transport Agreement signed in 2015 .

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El cargo Sheinbaum rejects cancellation of air routes from Mexico to the US apareció primero en T21.