AICM Completes First Phase of MX$10 Billion Modernization Plan

Mexico City International Airport (AICM) has completed the first phase of a major modernization program, delivering infrastructure upgrades worth MX$6.5 billion (US$375 million) as part of a broader MX$10 billion (US$576 million) investment strategy aimed at improving operational efficiency, passenger experience and long-term capacity. The project represents one of the largest recent investments in Mexico’s aviation infrastructure and comes as authorities prepare for rising passenger demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The completion of the first phase was announced during a ceremony attended by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and Adm. Juan José Padilla Olmos, CEO, Grupo Aeroportuario Marina and AICM. According to airport authorities, the completed works account for 65% of the total budget allocated to the renovation program and encompass 106 projects designed to modernize the country’s busiest airport while maintaining uninterrupted operations.

Airport officials said all construction activities were carried out across Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 without affecting daily flight schedules. AICM currently handles approximately 45 million passengers annually and serves nearly 200,000 travelers per day, making operational continuity a critical requirement throughout the modernization process.

Padilla Olmos explained that the initiative forms part of Presidential Commitment No. 87, which established a package of 106 construction and modernization projects to be executed in multiple phases. He noted that MX$6.5 billion has already been invested and confirmed that total spending is expected to reach MX$10 billion once the program is completed.

The first phase focused on upgrading critical infrastructure, including boarding lounges, waiting areas, immigration facilities, customs checkpoints, baggage claim systems, restrooms, pedestrian corridors, terminal façades, drainage networks and airport access roads. 

“These works were completed without reducing daily operations,” Padilla Olmos said, emphasizing the logistical complexity of carrying out construction while serving roughly 200,000 passengers per day, a volume that places AICM among the busiest airports in Latin America.

Sheinbaum highlighted that a significant portion of the investment addressed long-standing structural challenges caused by land subsidence in Mexico City. According to the president, the project included the reconstruction of electrical systems, drainage infrastructure, potable water networks and related pipelines that had deteriorated over time due to ground settlement beneath the airport.

She also underscored the financing model used for the modernization effort, noting that the project was funded entirely through airport-generated revenue rather than federal budget allocations. The approach allowed AICM to reinvest its own resources into infrastructure improvements while reducing pressure on public finances.

Although the first phase has been completed, authorities confirmed that additional work remains. Sheinbaum said future phases will continue expanding airport capabilities, though she described the recently completed upgrades as the most significant component of the overall modernization strategy.

The investment program is closely linked to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host. Airport authorities said the modernization projects are intended to accommodate growing passenger demand while enhancing service quality, operational reliability and security standards.

A key operational milestone accompanying the upgrades is the increase in AICM’s hourly capacity from 44 to 46 aircraft movements beginning June 1. Authorities described the adjustment as part of a broader strategy to improve traffic distribution across the Mexico City metropolitan airport system while responding to sustained demand. 

The modernization program also includes the implementation of a new Airport Management System (SIGA), automated in accordance with standards established by the International Air Transport Association. Additional improvements include the construction of rapid-exit taxiways D1 and D2, deployment of an advanced anti-drone protection system and installation of an upgraded free Wi-Fi network.

Sheinbaum reiterated the federal government’s commitment to maintaining AICM as a strategic component of the metropolitan aviation network. She noted that previous plans to replace the airport with a new facility in Texcoco were ultimately abandoned, leading authorities to adopt a complementary airport model.

Under that strategy, Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) was developed to support regional aviation demand and help reduce congestion at AICM. However, passenger traffic remains heavily concentrated at the capital’s primary airport, reinforcing the importance of continued investment in infrastructure and operational efficiency.

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada Molina described AICM as the country’s most important airport and one of the three busiest in Latin America. According to Brugada, the facility handles approximately 300,000 flights annually and serves up to 200,000 passengers each day, making it a critical gateway for international tourism and business travel.

In parallel with the infrastructure and operational improvements, AICM increased its Airport Usage Fee (TUA) on April 1. The domestic fee rose 2.9% year over year to MX$542.42, while the international fee increased 3.01% to US$58.09 from US$56.39. Because the charge is incorporated into ticket prices and linked to peso-dollar exchange rates, future currency fluctuations could continue to influence travel costs.

Officials from the Ministry of the Navy (SEMAR), the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), the National Migration Institute (INM), the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) and construction company ICA participated in the inauguration ceremony.