ALTA Urges 15-20 Year AICM Plan Amid Rising Air Travel Demand

The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) has urged Mexican authorities to develop a long-term infrastructure roadmap for Mexico City International Airport (AICM) amid operational challenges and growing air travel demand in the region.

“The key is for the government and industry to collaborate on a 15- to 20-year plan to improve the airport,” said ALTA CEO Peter Cerdá. He stressed that coordinated efforts are critical to addressing AICM's infrastructure limitations and ensuring its operational sustainability.

Cerdá highlighted the urgent need for investment in AICM’s core infrastructure, including runways, taxiways, boarding gates, and terminals. He emphasized that any operational expansion must follow a structured and strategic approach to avoid worsening current congestion issues.

While acknowledging the pressures on AICM, Cerdá noted the advantage of nearby alternatives like Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) and Toluca International Airport (AIT). “Unlike other saturated airports such as Amsterdam or Frankfurt, Mexico has the benefit of additional nearby terminals,” he said.

ALTA projects that Latin America could see an additional 450 to 700 million airline passengers within the next 15 years, with a significant share of this growth impacting Mexico. “Even if we enhance AICM’s infrastructure, it will not suffice. Medium- and long-term planning is essential because air traffic will continue to grow, and Mexico will remain a key destination for business and tourism,” said Cerdá.

He also called for broader improvements across Mexico’s aviation sector, including infrastructure upgrades, anticipating passenger increases, and modernizing regulatory frameworks to maintain competitiveness.

On the current cap of 44 operations per hour at AICM, Cerdá dismissed concerns that it would harm the airport’s competitive standing. However, he expressed caution over a recent government proposal to regulate airline overbooking. “Any measure to restrict overbooking would likely result in higher costs for consumers,” he warned.