Military Presence in Airports Increases

After seeing an unprecedented growth in 2021 for Latin American and Caribbean travel, American Airlines hopes to continue this trend by increasing its flights to the region in the coming years. Meanwhile, Mexican armed forces’ presence in national and international airports continues to increase as their construction of the General Felipe Ángeles International Airport comes to a close. Armed forces are also beginning to take over security protocols at airports across the country. Finally, AMBE Engineering President Carlos Robles shares five megatrends for the future of the aerospace industry.

This week in aerospace:

American Airlines Reports Major Growth in Latin America

Throughout 2021, American Airlines saw an unprecedented demand for flights towards Latin American and Caribbean destinations such as Mexico and Colombia, where the company also grew its capacity by 20 percent and 100 percent respectively.  American Airlines is now creating strategies to formulate future growth in the region and maintain the efficiencies it identified over the past two years as it became the leading US carrier in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Five New Megatrends for the Future of Aerospace

Carlos Robles, President, AMBE Engineering, told MBN the five trends disrupting the aerospace industry. Although it is an industry where R&D cycles take much time and investment, Robles has seen numerous resources being allocated to: spaceflight aircraft development with a focus on lowering costs and building reusable rockets; smaller supersonic commercial aircraft with space for fewer passengers per flight; unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their regulatory framework; electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft; and finally, sustainable bio-fuel alternatives to commercial aviation fuel.

Mexico’s New International Airport Gets Ready for Takeoff

After two years and 10 months and a US$129 billion investment, the first large-scale project of the Mexican government, the General Felipe Angeles International Airport, will begin to operate on March 21. Between civil and military use, the airport will be able to handle 61 operations per hour. The airport must still await a response from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before offering international routes.

Mexican Military to Handle Security at Cancun, Cozumel Airports

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced that the Ministry of National Defense and SEMAR will be taking over security proceedings at multiple airports in the country. Airports will also restructure their security protocols as naval officials will now manage customs and immigration operations. The president explained that the shift aims to improve the security of tourists and limit corruption and extortions through immigration proceedings. The shift will include seven major airports across the country.