AIFA Growth, Cargo Boom, and Tariff Risks: The Week in Aerospace

This week in aerospace, AIFA put fresh momentum behind Mexico’s airport decentralization push, topping 17 million passengers since opening while sketching out a 2026 runway shaped by World Cup traffic, route recoveries, and cargo strength. Up north, Airbus raised a red flag that US tariffs on Mexican and Canadian aviation parts could ripple into higher costs and weaker competitiveness for US assembly lines. Back at AIFA, Mexicana marked year two with a bigger domestic map, an Embraer-led fleet shift, and new growth targets for 2026.

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AIFA Surpasses 17 million Passengers, Outlines 2026 Growth Update

AIFA has handled over 17 million passengers since launching in March 2022, including more than 7 million in 2025, up over 12% year over year. The airport projects 9 million passengers in 2026, supported by FIFA World Cup travel, while the federal government seeks to recover 11 lost international routes.

Airbus Warns that Tariffs on Mexico, Canada Threaten US Output

Airbus Americas says US tariffs on aviation parts from Mexico and Canada could raise US aircraft costs and weaken US assembly competitiveness, urging exclusions to protect North American supply chains.

Mexicana Marks Two Years: Targets 17 Routes, 450,000 Passengers

Mexicana de Aviación is marking two years of operations from AIFA with 14 domestic routes, over 800,000 passengers, and a fleet shift to Embraer E195-E2 jets, while targeting further growth with three new routes in 2Q26 and a five-year plan through 2030.

FlexCoah Receives Mexico’s First Cessna SkyCourier Aircraft

FlexCoah has received the first Cessna SkyCourier delivered in Mexico, adding a dedicated freighter operated by its subsidiary Altair to complement its ground network and expand nationwide air cargo options for faster, time-sensitive deliveries.

Aeromexico Cargo Leverages E-commerce to Grow

Aeromexico Cargo grew 20% in 2025, fueled by booming e-commerce and its belly-cargo model across 165 aircraft and roughly 450 daily flights, and expects e-commerce shipments to rise another 10% in 2026 as fast air deliveries drive demand.