Mexico Air Cargo Falls 3.2% in 2025 Despite Passenger Growth

Air cargo activity in Mexico declined across most major airports in 2025, signaling pressure on trade-related logistics even as passenger traffic continued to expand. Data from Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) show that air cargo volumes fell 3.2% year over year between January and November, while passenger traffic rose 2.5% over the same period. 

According to AFAC’s Airport Operational Statistics for November 2025, total air cargo handled nationwide during the first 11 months of the year reached 1.12 million metric tons, down from 1.16 million metric tons in the same period of 2024. Of the 10 airports with the highest cargo volumes, eight recorded declines.

The Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), positioned by federal authorities as Mexico’s main cargo hub, reported a 10.8% drop in volumes. Cargo handling fell to 368,404 metric tons from 413,224 metric tons a year earlier. By contrast, Mexico City International Airport (AICM) posted a 5.7% increase, with cargo volumes rising to 230,270 metric tons from 217,951 metric tons in the January–November comparison.

Guadalajara International Airport also recorded growth, with cargo traffic increasing 4.6% to 167,327 metric tons from 159,922 metric tons in the same period of 2024. These gains, however, were insufficient to offset declines at other key logistics hubs closely tied to manufacturing supply chains.

Monterrey International Airport saw cargo volumes fall 5.1% to 69,579 metric tons, while Queretaro International Airport reported a 1.4% decline to 69,765 metric tons. Toluca International Airport registered the steepest drop among the top cargo airports, with volumes plunging 21.6% to 28,375 metric tons from 36,192 metric tons a year earlier.

Other airports experienced more moderate contractions. Cargo traffic at Cancun International Airport slipped 0.6% to 32,263 metric tons, while Tijuana International Airport reported a 2.2% decline to 34,508 metric tons. Merida International Airport recorded a 2.6% decrease, and San Luis Potosi International Airport saw volumes fall 2.0% over the same period.

AFAC data show that cargo handled at the rest of the country’s airports increased 3.0%, reaching nearly 74,000 metric tons. While this partially offset declines at major hubs, the overall trend pointed to softer air cargo demand nationwide in 2025, particularly at airports most exposed to international trade and export-oriented manufacturing.

AFAC attributed the contraction to a more uncertain trade environment, especially amid shifting tariff policies affecting industrial production and cross-border supply chains. The agency said the figures reflect the sensitivity of air cargo activity to changes in trade conditions and industrial output, which tend to directly influence demand for time-sensitive freight.

For logistics providers and manufacturers, the data underscore diverging dynamics within Mexico’s aviation sector: passenger demand continues to grow, while cargo volumes face mounting pressure. Industry participants say air cargo performance in 2026 will depend largely on greater clarity around trade rules, tariff frameworks and industrial investment decisions.

AICM Regains Cargo Leadership as AIFA Faces Challenges 

Trade policy developments intensified concerns late in the year. In October, the US government revoked approval for 13 air routes operated by Mexican airlines and canceled all combined passenger and cargo flights departing from AIFA, citing what it described as anticompetitive practices by Mexico. The decision came as AIFA recorded a 13.1% decline in cargo operations through September 2025, while AICM posted a 5% increase, according to figures from Mexico’s Infrastructure, Communications and Transport Ministry (SICT). 

The move reignited debate over a February 2023 decree signed by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador ordering the transfer of dedicated cargo operations from AICM to AIFA. While the decree aimed to ease congestion at Mexico City’s main airport, it exempted mixed passenger and cargo services, allowing some freight operations to remain at AICM.

The College of Airline Pilots of Mexico urged the federal government to reconsider the decree, arguing that recent actions by the US Department of Transportation have already affected air connectivity. The organization said it warned authorities in 2023 about the risks of relocating cargo operations and that those concerns were not adequately addressed. “The cancellation of routes and the imminent threat of suspending cargo operations are unprecedented in the history of bilateral aviation,” the group said, adding that the measures could affect flight crews, exporters, importers and workers across the sector.

AIFA is approaching its fourth year of operations under the management of Mexico’s Defense Ministry, which is now seeking to strengthen the airport’s position in the passenger segment. According to a public tender issued in 2025, the ministry is looking to hire a consulting firm to design promotional strategies to stimulate demand for new routes and to develop agreements with airlines aimed at improving route profitability and long-term sustainability.

Passenger traffic at AIFA has grown steadily. In November, the airport recorded its highest monthly passenger total of the year, with 633,949 travelers, according to AFAC data. Despite this growth, industry specialists say the terminal still lacks a clearly defined commercial strategy.

Eliseo Llamazares, aviation and tourism leader, KPMG Mexico, said large metropolitan areas benefit from having multiple airports, but infrastructure must be aligned with a clear business focus. He said AIFA could position itself as a long-haul, low-cost airport, particularly for European routes operated by both traditional and low-cost carriers.

Several airlines, including Lufthansa, have acknowledged interest in operating from AIFA but cited the lack of direct ground transportation as a limiting factor. Pilot groups share that assessment, noting that the absence of a rail connection from Mexico City continues to constrain demand. Authorities have reiterated plans for a suburban train link, though the project has yet to begin operations.

Economists also warn that broader macroeconomic conditions could continue to weigh on cargo volumes. César Salazar, researcher, Institute of Economic Research, said air freight demand remains vulnerable. “As the economic slowdown in Mexico continues and global uncertainty does not ease, but instead intensifies, a downward trend in cargo volumes could already be taking hold,” Salazar said.

Despite the overall decline, some logistics companies report positive results at AIFA. DHL Express Mexico said it has consolidated its air cargo operations at the airport, positioning it as a central node for its domestic and international network. The company relocated operations ahead of regulatory requirements and capacity limits at AICM, allowing it to expand facilities and flight frequency. Other international carriers, including Lufthansa and Air France-KLM, have selected Tecamac as a strategic location for operations.