Mexican Airlines, Airports Profit Rise in 2024: Aerospace Week

This week in aerospace news: the United States reinforced border security with 3,000 more troops, bringing the total to 9,000. Mexican airline and airport groups reported a 25% profit surge in 2024. The United States opposed an ICAO fuel plan, while air travel remained historically safe despite seven fatal accidents. Additionally, Firefly’s Blue Ghost achieved a successful Moon landing.

Get ready for takeoff—this is The Week in Aerospace!

Mexican Airlines, Airports Report 25% Profit Increase in 2024

Mexican airline and airport groups collectively reported a significant boost in profits for 2024, despite challenges such as fluctuating passenger traffic, operational costs, and macroeconomic pressures. According to an analysis by El Financiero, which examined the financial reports of publicly traded airline companies, the five major airlines and airport groups listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange earned a combined total of MX$34.4 billion (US$1.86 billion) by the end of 2024. This represented a 25% increase in net profits year-over-year.

US Rejects ICAO Fuel Plan, Cites Unfair Advantage for Brazil

The United States has expressed strong opposition to a recommendation on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) presented during the 13th triennial meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP). 

Air Travel in 2024 Hits 40.6 Million Flights, 7 Fatal Accidents

Despite an uptick in fatal accidents and fatalities, 2024 remains one of the safest years for air travel in recent history, according to the Annual Safety Report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 

Machining Tips for Aluminium Tooling and Molds

Aluminum has become an increasingly popular choice for tooling and mold applications due to its light weight, thermal conductivity, and superior machinability. It possesses favorable properties and characteristics that make it easier to machine compared to other materials, such as being more readily cut, shaped, and processed with minimal tool wear and reduced machining time. However, to fully leverage the benefits of aluminum tooling and molds, it’s important to optimize the machining process.

US Deploys 3,000 Troops to Mexico Border, Totals 9,000

The US Department of Defense has announced the deployment of approximately 3,000 additional military personnel to the US-Mexico border, following President Donald Trump’s directive to reinforce security operations. This deployment increases the total number of active-duty troops stationed at the border to about 9,000.

Firefly's Blue Ghost Lands, Delivering NASA Lunar Instruments

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1 successfully landed on the Moon at 3:34 a.m EST on Mar. 2. near Mons Latreille in Mare Crisium, a large lunar basin located in the northeastern region of the Moon’s near side. This milestone marks Firefly’s first successful lunar landing and the inaugural delivery under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS).