Mexico’s Air Cargo Drops 4.5% Amid AICM to AIFA Shift

Mexico’s air cargo traffic fell 4.5% during the first nine months of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, according to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC). Nationally, airports handled 897,375 tons of goods between January and September, down from 939,446 tons last year.

The decline marks the second consecutive year since cargo operations were relocated from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA). AFAC’s Airport Operational Statistics, September 2025 report shows that seven of the country’s ten busiest cargo airports experienced declines, including AIFA, Monterrey, Queretaro, Tijuana, Toluca, San Luis Potosi, and Merida. Only AICM, Guadalajara, and Cancun registered growth.

AIFA recorded one of the sharpest drops, down 13.1%, from 336,789.8 tons in the first nine months of 2024 to 292,697 tons in 2025. Toluca International Airport posted the steepest decline at 21%, falling from 29,398.7 to 23,231.1 tons. Monterrey Airport handled 56,333.8 tons, a 4.4% reduction, while Queretaro reported a marginal 0.1% drop, handling 56,345.8 tons.

By contrast, AICM registered a 5% increase, rising from 175,483.3 tons to 184,256.5 tons. Guadalajara International Airport saw a 2.5% gain, handling 133,870.9 tons compared to 130,595 in 2024, while Cancún International Airport recorded a smaller increase of 0.7%, reaching 26,194.2 tons.

Other airports showed mixed results. Tijuana experienced a 1.2% decrease to 27,824.8 tons, San Luis Potosi fell 1.3% to 20,026.3 tons, and Merida declined 5.2% to 18,427.1 tons. Cargo volumes at all other regional airports increased slightly by 0.4%, reaching 58,167.6 tons.

According to AFAC, the overall national decline reflects adjustments following the 2023 cargo transfer from AICM to AIFA, as well as operational changes across regional hubs.