ASA Network Reports Recovery in 2021

The Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT) reported that the ASA Network registered a vital recovery on 15 of its 19 terminals during 2021, as the Mexican aviation industry continues to struggle to return to its pre-pandemic numbers.

“During 2021, the number of passengers served in the Network of Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA Network) increased 54.1 percent compared to the 1.89 million users registered in 2020, achieving a total of 2.91 million users from Jan. to Dec. 2021. The growth in passenger service occurs in 15 of the 19 terminals that make up the ASA airport network,” reads a press release by SCT.

The terminals registered growth during the year are Nogales by 120.8 percent, Puerto Escondido by 96.6 percent Nuevo Laredo by 86.6 percent, Chetumal by 83.1 percent, Campeche by 79.3 percent, Matamoros by 77.9 percent, Ciudad Obregon by 65.1 percent, Loretto by 53.8 percent, Puebla by 47.2 percent, Colima by 36.1 percent, Tepic by 29.7 percent, Uruapan by 29.5 percent, Tehuacan by 24.4 percent, Ciudad del Carmen by 24 percent and Ciudad Victoria by 0.5 percent.

“The best performing market in Latin America is Mexico, its numbers are between 15 percent and 25 percent higher when compared to 2019,” said Michael Linenberg, Analyst, Deutsche Bank, during the Airline Leaders Forum held in Bogota, Colombia, in Oct. 2021. The Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) also stated that the region is on a good path after its 65 percent recovery of 2019’s numbers, as reported by MBN.

Last year, the ASA Network recorded 123,486 air operations that boosted a 22.5 percent growth in comparison to 2020. Mobilized air cargo registered an 83 percent growth, from 2.13 million kilograms in 2020 to 3.89 million kilograms in 2021. Puebla, Ciudad del Carmen and Campeche led the way in overall growth.

Almost two years into the COVID-19 crisis, the aviation industry continues struggling with the repercussions of the sanitary crisis, while forecasts point toward another three to four years for a full recovery, as reported by MBN.