AICM Major Overhaul Set to Begin Post-2026

Plans for a major overhaul of the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) are slated to begin after 2026, according to Rear Admiral José Ramón Rivera Parga, Director of AICM, in an interview with El Economista. He stressed the importance of thorough technical planning to ensure the project is executed on time and within budget.

Proposals under review include the construction of a third passenger terminal adjacent to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, utilizing Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) land for parking and auxiliary infrastructure, developing new access roads, and potentially building a new terminal in Texcoco connected by rail. These initiatives will be part of the strategic framework of the Metropolitan Airport System (SAM), which includes AIFA, Toluca, and Cuernavaca airports.

As the current administration enters its final months, discussions have intensified, focusing on improving passenger travel experiences and adhering to operational safety standards. Rivera Parga reiterated that the primary objective is to enhance airport conditions to ensure a safer and more pleasant experience for passengers, emphasizing that investments in maintenance will continue regardless of future projects.

Rivera Parga highlighted the need for federal authorities, particularly under the upcoming administration led by Claudia Sheinbaum, to grant necessary approvals to avoid any disruptions. He emphasized that the main goal is to improve airport conditions to provide a safer and more enjoyable passenger experience, stressing the importance of ongoing maintenance investments.

Rivera Parga did not provide specific financial details or funding sources for the upcoming overhaul, noting that these would be determined by the incoming federal government.

In recent years, AICM has faced significant challenges, including saturation declarations that limited operations to 61 flights per hour in 2014 and, more recently, to 43 operations per hour in August 2023.