Key Trends Shaping Air Cargo, Airport Infrastructure in Mexico

As Mexico consolidates its position as a strategic trade hub in the Americas, air cargo emerges as a critical link for high-value and time-sensitive goods. Although it remains a minor component of national freight, representing just 0.12% of Mexico’s total cargo movement in 2023, according to CANACAR, it plays an outsized role in connecting industries, accelerating exports, and ensuring supply chain continuity. Amid the nearshoring wave and regional integration, aviation is becoming indispensable to manufacturing, e-commerce, and cross-border logistics.

The State of Mexico’s Air Cargo Sector

According to the Mexican Institute of Transportation (IMT), 2024 marked the strongest year for air cargo and passenger movement since 2019. Aviation handled 240,420t of domestic and 822,710t of international freight, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 23.7% and reaffirming its role as a cornerstone of logistics and trade.

However, data from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT) and the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) shows that by August 2025, the sector faced a 4.8% year-on-year decline, totaling 103,576t. Between January and August, cumulative volumes dropped 4.4% to 800,134t, reflecting post-pandemic normalization and capacity shifts within the Metropolitan Airport System (SAM).

The Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) continues to dominate operations, managing 35,737.8t in August 2025, 34.5% of national air cargo, despite an 8.8% annual decline. The Mexico City International Airport (AICM) followed with 20,486.7t, consolidating its 19.8% share, while Guadalajara and Monterrey remained top contributors. Queretaro, Tijuana, Cancun, and Toluca also play key roles, although Toluca suffered a 25.3% drop.

“OMA operates airports across northern and central Mexico, where about 80% of nearshoring activity occurs. With major hubs like Monterrey, Juárez, and Chihuahua, we are making significant investments to support growing industrial demand,” says Ricardo Dueñas, Director General, Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA). 

Infrastructure Expansion and Modernization

The SICT has allocated MX$126.6 billion (US$6.61 billion) to rehabilitate and expand 62 airports. Yet expanding capacity alone cannot resolve the country’s logistics bottlenecks. To truly enhance competitiveness, last-mile and multimodal connections with ports and manufacturing hubs must be strengthened.

AIFA is spearheading this transformation. Its 2025–2030 development plan expands its cargo area from 16 to 22 warehouses, boosting capacity from 570,000t to 810,000t annually. The enlarged parking platform will allow nine freighters to operate simultaneously by 2026, including heavy models such as the Boeing 747-8F. Long-term projections envision three runways, one dedicated to cargo, and a terminal capable of handling up to 3 million t of freight per year.

Meanwhile, AICM is undergoing a MX$8.5 billion (US$460 million) renovation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The project, which is 15% complete, aims to reach 70–80% progress by mid-2026. Despite these efforts, AICM remains constrained. “We need to urgently improve infrastructure, terminals, taxiways, and overall facilities,” says Peter Cerdá, Regional Vice President, ALTA. 

E-Commerce, Nearshoring, and New Trade Dynamics

E-commerce has become a defining force in global air freight. According to The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), it accounted for about 20% of global air cargo volumes in 2024, a figure expected to double within a decade. Yet regulatory shifts have disrupted the sector. The end of Mexico’s de minimis import exemption in May 2025 made business models used by fast-fashion platforms like Shein and Temu unviable, leading to a 30% drop in cargo capacity. Similarly, the US suspension of de minimis privileges caused an 81% collapse in postal traffic, with Correos de México among the 88 postal operators suspending their services in the United States.

Despite these setbacks, e-commerce and social commerce continue to fuel long-term demand. In Latin America, over half of shoppers in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia now use social commerce platforms. New payment models, from digital wallets to convenience store coupons, support sustained demand for fast, cross-border delivery. This evolution has “created sustained demand for efficient air cargo logistics services” throughout the region, reports Mordor Intelligence.

“We use advanced systems not only to track shipments but also to assess their vulnerability to movement, temperature, and humidity, especially for sensitive goods like flowers and raw materials. AI now allows us to monitor these conditions in real time. E-commerce growth has accelerated demand for speed and data-driven logistics. Using predictive consumption models, we anticipate where inventory will be needed, enabling deliveries within hours. Sustainability is a key pillar of our strategy, from more efficient air fleets and electric vehicles to recyclable materials and social initiatives supporting health, education, and disaster relief,” states Jorge Torres, Vice President, FedEx Express México.

At the macro level, Mexico’s manufacturing-driven economy, responsible for 80% of national activity, positions it as a logistics powerhouse. Its 12 free trade agreements and nearshoring advantages have boosted air freight flows connecting North America with Central America and the Caribbean. Regional integration efforts underpin US$4.5 billion in annual trade between Central America and the United States, equivalent to 4% of the region’s GDP.

“Our five-year plan includes MX$16 billion in investments across 13 airports, focusing on cargo expansion and industrial park development. Monterrey Airport alone saw cargo traffic rise 14-15% this year, reflecting the region’s strong industrial growth. Nearshoring is a unique, time-sensitive opportunity, but it also brings infrastructure, energy, and regulatory challenges that we must address now to fully capitalize on it,” says Ricardo Dueñas, Director General, Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA).

Digitalization and the Future of Air Cargo

As demand evolves, digital transformation is redefining the logistics equation. IATA’s Vision for the Future of Air Cargo Facilities 2025 calls for a decisive shift toward smart, automated, and sustainable cargo hubs. The next generation of air facilities, IATA notes, will rely on AI, robotics, real-time data visibility, and sustainable design to optimize capacity and efficiency.

The association identifies six key technology pillars: intelligent analytics, robotics, wearables, sustainability, transparency, and digital process automation. AI-driven predictive maintenance and capacity planning will deliver immediate gains, while IoT sensors and zero-emission ground vehicles will transform ground operations.

“In sustainability and digitalization, especially in the air sector, Europe is already ahead, fully paperless since last year and preparing to implement digital negotiable documents expected to take effect next year. For Mexico, moving toward a paperless system will require deeper digital integration. This means strengthening data traceability, cybersecurity, and end-to-end digitalization across the entire supply chain to ensure transparency, efficiency, and compliance with international standards,” states Victor Cruz, Vice President, Asociación Mexicana de Agentes de Carga (AMACARGA).

Initiatives such as ONE Record and Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) are standardizing data exchange and visibility across the supply chain, improving interoperability among airports, airlines, and freight forwarders. “Technology is not just an enabler of efficiency, it is the foundation of resilience, transparency, and sustainability for the next era of global air logistics,” IATA says.

“Digitalization and data analysis are transforming air cargo operations by reducing paperwork, accelerating processes, minimizing errors, and enhancing customer satisfaction. AI and analytics help forecast demand, optimize routes, manage resources, and enable real-time monitoring for greater supply chain efficiency. At the airport, around 30 systems handle flight operations, access control, security, and logistics. AI-driven automation boosts productivity, improves slot use, and streamlines both passenger and cargo management,” adds General Isidoro Pastor, Director General, AIFA.