FAMEX 2021 Announces Location Change

Queretaro’s government suspended the latest edition of the Mexico Aerospace Fair (FAMEX) due to the extension of the health contingency generated by SARS-CoV-2, leading organizers to move the event back to Santa Lucia military base.

The construction of Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) at the Santa Lucia military base had led organizers to look for a new host city. While several states were considered, Queretaro was chosen by FAMEX organizers as the state holds the main aerocluster in Mexico. The state is also close to Mexico City and it has the necessary infrastructure to support the event, as stated by Colonel Antonio Bravo, Executive Director of FAMEX in an MBN interview. “Queretaro is the world’s fourth-largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) for the aerospace industry.”

On September 1, an official statement from the Queretaro government announced that the fair would be suspended given the raise in COVID-19 cases. “The Government of the State of Queretaro recognizes all the work and the will to coordinate by the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) and the Committee of the 2021 Mexico Aerospace Fair in the preparations for its fourth edition, and reiterates its willingness to put the welfare of citizens first and collaborate, permanently, for the good of Mexico,” mentioned the official report.

Two days later, the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) announced that “the fourth edition of FAMEX 2021 will be held at Military Base No.1 Santa Lucia, from September 22 to 25, 2021.” In the same announcement, SEDENA reaffirmed its commitment to health protocols as it perseveres in maintaining the event. On the same day, the Federation of the Aerospace Industry (FEMIA) released a statement supporting the decision to change the headquarters of FAMEX 2021, commenting that they would continue supporting the event. 

The pandemic had previously delayed the event, which was originally planned for April 2021. However, organizers continued their efforts to carry out the event due to their desire “to strengthen the state’s position in the national and international aerospace sectors,” said Colonel Bravo. He also highlighted a commitment to develop Mexico as a hub for the aerospace industry. “The pandemic caused a medical and economic crisis, but FEMIA and SEDENA are working to support the industry’s recovery. This international fair will bring to the state numerous high-level actors and companies that will generate new business opportunities for local companies,” said Bravo in July.

FAMEX aims to support the Mexican aerospace sector as it deals with the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several aerospace industry leaders had told MBN that they are in “survival mode.”