AIFA Train Extension Pushed to 2025: Aerospace Week

This week in aerospace: Mexico is set to launch a nanosatellite Command and Information System in 2025, developed by UNAM and the Mexican Space Agency (AEM).

At Toluca Airport, passenger traffic remains low, with 2024 projections at 1.1 million passengers. The Mexican College of Pilots plans to launch a new degree program by 2025 to meet the growing demand for aviation professionals.

In the United States, NASA allocated US$11.5 million for sustainable aircraft research and awarded SpaceX a US$256.6 million contract for the 2028 Dragonfly mission to Titan. Meanwhile, the FAA is investigating Southwest Airlines' 737 Max jets after 2023 engine failures.

On the commercial front, airfare prices dropped 2.8% in November, and Boeing secured a US$2.3 billion deal for 15 KC-46A Pegasus tankers.

This is The Week in Aerospace. Ready for takeoff?

AIFA Train Extension to Begin in 2025, Two Years Late

The Mexican government confirmed the AIFA train extension will begin operations in 2025, two years later than planned.

Mexico to Launch Advanced Satellite Command System in 2025

Mexico will launch a nanosatellite Command and Information System in October 2025, developed by UNAM and the Mexican Space Agency (AEM)

Toluca Airport Faces Low Traffic, Modest Growth for 2024

Toluca Airport struggles as a secondary hub, with just 1.3 million passengers in 2023 and a modest 1.1 million projected for 2024

Mexican Pilots College to Introduce New Degree in 2025

The Mexican College of Pilots plans to launch a pilot degree program by 2025 to meet the growing demand for skilled aviation professionals

SEMAR Reveals Winners for Mexico City Airport Renovation

SEMAR has revealed the winners of the competition to renovate Mexico City International Airport (AICM) for the 2026 World Cup

NASA Funds US$11.5 Million for Research on Sustainable Aircraft

NASA has awarded $11.5 million to fund five studies focused on developing sustainable aircraft technologies for commercial aviation by 2050

NASA Chooses SpaceX Falcon Heavy for Saturn’s Moon Mission

NASA awarded SpaceX a US$256.6 million contract to launch the Dragonfly mission, exploring Titan's surface on Saturn’s moon, set for 2028

FAA Probes Failures on Southwest Airlines 737 Max JetsEngine

In 2023, two Southwest flights faced bird strikes causing engine failures on Boeing 737 Max jets. The FAA is investigating as part of safety reviews

Airfare Prices Drop 2.8% in November, First Decline Since 2022

In early November 2024, regular air travel prices fell 2.83% year-on-year, the first drop since June 2022, due to lower demand and no peak season

Airlines Outpace Governments in SAF Targets for Aviation

The push to decarbonize aviation grows, but a gap remains between government SAF mandates and airlines' more ambitious targets

Boeing Secures US$2.3 Billion Deal for 15 KC-46A Pegasus Tankers

The USAF finalized a US$2.3 billion contract with Boeing for 15 KC-46A Pegasus tankers, bringing the fleet total to 168 aircraft