Mexico City–AIFA Rail to Launch Before Easter

Mexico City’s rail connection to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) is set to begin operations before Easter, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced, marking the first operational milestone of the government’s Northern Passenger Train program. Sheinbaum highlighted coordinated progress across multiple rail projects and acknowledged residents’ cooperation in clearing 24.89 million square meters of right-of-way for the Mexico City–Queretaro, Queretaro–Irapuato, Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo and AIFA–Pachuca lines.

“We are making good progress. The Mexico City–AIFA train will begin operations before Easter; the Mexico City–Queretaro and AIFA–Pachuca lines remain on track for 2027,” Sheinbaum said. She added that the Tren Maya freight line is 25% complete and advancing on schedule. “This has been a well-coordinated effort, and I want to thank the population for their understanding, collaboration and cooperation in resolving right-of-way issues and property agreements,” she noted.

Edna Elena Vega Rangel, Secretary of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development, reported that 24.89 million square meters across 1,905 properties in 54 municipalities across eight states have been secured for rail construction. Specifically, 2.26 million m² were cleared for AIFA–Pachuca, 7.43 million m² for Mexico City–Queretaro and 3.48 million m² for Queretaro–Irapuato. Vega Rangel detailed coordination with 123 ejidos and communities, involving 70 assemblies and more than 3,500 participants, resulting in the acquisition of 633 parcels — 69 communal and 564 private.

As part of right-of-way preparations, 44 families were relocated — 33 received new homes and 11 were financially compensated to purchase housing — representing an investment of MX$28 million (US$1.53 million). Historic property titles were issued for 1,010 parcels, including 153 for AIFA–Pachuca and 550 for Mexico City–Queretaro.

Néstor Núñez López, head of the Institutional Coordination and Heritage Unit at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), said ongoing citizen engagement included 49 meetings, six formal agreements across six states and 41 municipalities, as well as 12 permanent brigades overseeing construction zones.

Passenger and Air Traffic Performance at AIFA

In 2025, Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and AIFA jointly handled 51,684,840 passengers, a marginal decline of 0.04% compared with 2024, while national air travel increased 2.6% to 191,245,286 passengers, according to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC).

Despite nearly four years of operations, AIFA — managed by the Ministry of National Defense — has yet to become a primary driver of air traffic in the Valley of Mexico, even as carriers such as Viva seek to position the terminal as a strategic operational hub similar to their base in Monterrey.

AIFA recorded passenger growth of 11.5% in 2025, reaching 7,079,040 travelers, although this expansion was significantly lower than the 141.3% surge recorded in 2024. Meanwhile, AICM lost 753,685 passengers year over year, partially offset by an increase of 730,989 passengers at AIFA. These figures indicate that, while AIFA is intended to relieve congestion at Benito Juárez International Airport, passenger gains at the new terminal have not fully compensated for traffic declines at the main airport.

Eliseo Llamazares, partner and aviation and tourism leader, KPMG México, said AIFA has potential to consolidate its role in passenger transport but has not yet fully leveraged its advantages. “Large urban areas such as the Mexico City metropolitan zone benefit from multiple terminals,” Llamazares said, suggesting that AIFA could focus on expanding low-cost transatlantic routes and refining its business strategy. The suburban rail connection to Mexico City remained incomplete during 2025, limiting full accessibility for passengers.

Airlines such as Lufthansa have expressed interest in operating from AIFA but emphasize the need for direct transport links to ensure route viability. José Suárez, spokesperson for the Mexican Aviators Union (ASPA), said: “The airport still needs to demonstrate that, to serve Mexico City effectively, connectivity is essential. As work on the train and ground links advances, more passengers will consider this airport.”

AIFA as a Multimodal and Cargo Platform

Analyst Rosario Avilés noted that AIFA may hold greater potential as a cargo and multimodal logistics hub, particularly with the AIFA–Pachuca rail link under construction. “It makes more sense as a multimodal logistics platform. It does not substantially compete in the passenger segment, but a structured plan is needed to realize this potential,” she said.

SEDENA is reportedly seeking consultancy services to adjust operational strategies based on evolving passenger and cargo trends, signaling that AIFA’s freight capacity remains under development.

Andrés Lajous Loaeza, Director General of the Agency of Trains and Integrated Public Transport (ATTRAPI), announced that 47 passenger trains will be manufactured by Alstom México, with the first delivery expected by mid-2027.

Commander Gustavo Ricardo Vallejo Suárez of the Felipe Ángeles Engineers Group reported that basic engineering for 1,405 kilometers of track is 19.12% complete across the Irapuato–Guadalajara, Queretaro–San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi–Saltillo and Mazatlan–Los Mochis corridors.

Construction of the Mexico City–Pachuca line is 22% complete, with ten active work fronts generating 11,186 direct jobs. Completion is projected for the first half of 2027. Meanwhile, the Mexico City–Queretaro line has reached nearly 10% progress across 14 work fronts, generating 14,346 direct jobs, with completion targeted for September 30, 2027.