AIFA Hires Consultant to Plan Passenger Route Expansion

The Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) has launched its first procurement process to hire a consultancy firm to develop a strategic plan for passenger route expansion. The goal is to “maximize revenue sources and enhance connectivity,” according to the airport administration.

As of the first half of 2025, the airport, located at the Santa Lucía military base, reported earnings of MX$414.9 million (US$22.1 million), largely driven by cargo operations. The administration aims to further expand commercial activity.

Currently, AIFA operates 40 domestic and eight international routes. For comparison, Mexico City International Airport (AICM) maintains 44 domestic and 61 international destinations. Airlines serving AIFA include Aeroméxico, Viva, Volaris, Aerus, Mexicana de Aviación, and Magnicharters, among others.

“The development of new routes is a vital component of the strategic marketing process and the airport’s ongoing business development initiatives. An active and updated air route development strategy significantly increases the likelihood of maintaining the airport as a first-choice option when airlines consider network changes,” the airport stated, according to El Economista.

Since its inauguration in March 2022, only five flights have been relocated from AICM to AIFA; the remainder are new services. According to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC),the three routes with the highest passenger traffic in the first half of the year connect AIFA with Cancun, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. At AICM, the most traveled route is also Cancun, followed by Monterrey and Guadalajara.

The airport’s Strategic Planning Directorate highlighted that it lacks the technical capacity to develop a passenger route plan internally and has not contracted such services since operations began. The consultancy contract is expected to be awarded on Sep. 8.

The selected firm will evaluate routes operated over the past three years, identifying demand patterns and success factors. It will also analyze airlines that have flown at AIFA, their traffic volumes, and market behavior. A notable case is Copa Airlines, which has temporarily suspended its route to Panama.

The consultancy must consider the economic activity in the surrounding area—including tourism, commerce, and business sectors—to support airline expansion plans in Santa Lucía. AIFA currently serves 39 domestic cities and international destinations including Bogota, Caracas, Havana, Houston, McAllen, Punta Cana, and Santo Domingo.