AIFA is Key to North American Integration: AMACARGA

The Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders (AMACARGA) says that the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) should not be viewed as an obstacle but as a strategic asset for strengthening economic and logistics integration in North America. The position was shared during a meeting at the National Palace convened by President Claudia Sheinbaum, following recent US government actions affecting the Mexican aviation sector.

“Representatives from the public sector, airlines, customs agents, logistics operators, and cargo companies agreed on the strategic relevance of AIFA within the national airport system and its potential as a key logistics hub for Mexico’s foreign trade,” AMACARGA says in a statement.

To improve AIFA’s competitiveness in air cargo operations, AMACARGA proposed expanding specialized infrastructure for oversized cargo and storage, and enhancing security along access routes to reduce incidents and increase user confidence. The organization also recommended harmonizing customs and operational procedures to prevent delays and additional costs. Other measures include reducing logistics expenses related to transportation, tolls, fuel, and handling, and investing in technology and specialized equipment to enable better traceability and faster digital processing of goods.

AIFA is operating at roughly one-third of its installed capacity. The terminal spans over 3,000 hectares and is designed to handle up to 20 million passengers per year. However, it served only 6.3 million travelers by the end of 2024, according to data from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC).

Operational indicators also show a contraction in the airport’s cargo activity. In September 2025, AIFA processed 31,076 t of freight, a 13.7% annual decrease, while total cargo volume for the first nine months of the year contracted 13.1%, according to AFAC. In contrast, Mexico City International Airport (AICM) recorded a 3.3% increase in the same period. 

AMACARGA emphasized that the airport’s consolidation as a logistics hub depends not only on infrastructure but also on coordination among authorities, airlines, freight forwarders, customs offices, and bonded warehouses. “Strengthening AIFA requires competitive conditions and incentives that promote its use,” AMACARGA says.

The association adds that stakeholders across the logistics and aviation sectors view AIFA as a viable option for national logistics development. The work meeting came after the US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the suspension of 13 current and planned routes between the United States and AIFA, citing Mexico’s continued noncompliance with the 2015 bilateral air transport agreement. The order, issued by Secretary Sean Duffy, cancels all combined passenger and cargo services between both countries through AIFA and freezes further route expansions from Mexico City International Airport (AICM).