ASF Finds MX$8.3 Million Discrepancies in AICM Runway Projects

The Mexican Federal Audit Office (ASF) has identified financial discrepancies amounting to MX$8.3 million (US$451,700) in the rehabilitation projects of runways 05R-23L and 05L-23R at Mexico City's International Airport (AICM). These findings, detailed in the 2023 Public Account Audit Report, point to excessive payments for materials and services, delays in project completion, and lack of proper oversight by supervisory entities.

The ASF's audit revealed that Concretos Asfálticos Tecámac, the contractor responsible for the rehabilitation works, received overpayments totaling MX$3.4 million. These excess payments included MX$3.23 million for the supply of asphalt cement and MX$225,800 for the construction of the subgrade layer and base asphalt layer. 

The rehabilitation project, originally contracted in November 2021 for MX$4 billion, was plagued by delays and inadequate supervision. The contract stipulated a completion date of December 2022, but the works continued until May 2023. The ASF's findings indicate that AICM failed to apply penalties amounting to MX$4.92 million for the contractor's failure to meet the agreed deadlines. Additionally, as of April 2024, the necessary delivery and settlement documents had not been formalized, further complicating the situation.

In response to these irregularities, the ASF has issued administrative sanction promotions against public officials who failed to ensure compliance with the contract terms and supervise the rehabilitation works effectively. The audit points to a probable root cause of these issues: the inadequate supervision provided by the firms RAM, Engineering and Services, and JYPA Group, which were contracted for oversight.

These irregularities occurred during the tenure of Jesús Rossano, the AICM director at the time. Rossano, who had previously held a commercial director position at the regional airline TAR, succeeded Miguel Peláez Lira in October 2019. Under Rossano's administration, the rehabilitation projects aimed at addressing the deterioration of the runways due to climatic conditions and heavy aircraft traffic to ensure operational safety.