AICM Airlines to See Continued Strict Winter Schedule Limits

As the winter season approaches, airlines operating at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) will continue to face stringent restrictions on landing and takeoff schedules, with a cap of 43 operations per hour. This limitation, effective from Jan. 8, 2024, will extend through the upcoming winter season until spring 2025. 

Viva Aerobus and Volaris, two of the major national carriers affected by this decision, have confirmed their compliance with the reduced slot allocations. Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO, Viva Aerobus, and Enrique Beltranena, CEO, Volaris, spoke separately to El Financiero on the issue, highlighting their adherence to the operational limits imposed by the AICM administration. Despite their compliance, both CEOs expressed doubts about the efficacy of the slot reductions in alleviating airport congestion.

"The reduction from 52 to 43 operations per hour was intended to reduce congestion at the terminals, but the reality is that the airport is still handling over 800 flights per day. There is a significant ordering in this area, which has allowed us to gain a few more slots than in previous seasons, but the substantial reduction remains in place," said Beltranena 

"We are operating within the latest slot reduction implemented on January 8, and we will continue to work under these constraints," Zuazua stated.

International flights, however, remain unaffected by these restrictions. The reduction applies only to domestic operations, which account for a significant portion of the AICM's traffic. This selective application of the slot cap has raised questions about the long-term sustainability of the airport's operations and the potential need for further infrastructural improvements or policy adjustments to address ongoing congestion.