Mexico Moves to Certify Five International Airports by 2026

Five of Mexico’s 55 international airports remain pending certification by the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), according to Maricruz Hernández, Airport Director, AFAC. Speaking during the Operational Safety Week 2025, organized by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), Hernández said the airports in Mexico City, Acapulco, Puerto Escondido, Nogales, and Palenque are still undergoing the certification process required by international aviation standards.

These certifications are granted under the Procedure for Conformity Assessment of Annex 14 (PECA-14), which ensures compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) safety and operational requirements. The process confirms that airports have adequate facilities, signage, and services necessary to operate international flights, including customs and immigration controls.

Hernández says that AFAC expects all five airports to obtain certification in 2026. “We are in the final process for Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to comply,” she adds. “Investments have been made in infrastructure to achieve certification in 2025.”

The AICM is undergoing a major renovation expected to conclude by late 2026. The project includes upgrades to both terminals aimed at improving operations and safety standards. Hernández acknowledges that the airport faces significant structural limitations. “It does not have space to expand infrastructure, but it can be certified,” she says.

Acapulco’s certification has been delayed due to natural disasters that have impacted the region in recent years. Meanwhile, the other airports — Puerto Escondido, Nogales, and Palenque — are in the final stages of assessment.

The certification process began with international airports and will later extend to national ones. Hernández says that certification is not merely an administrative formality but an ongoing commitment to safety. “The certification of an aerodrome should not be seen as a requirement to fulfill, but as a strategic tool focused on national safety,” she adds.

The airport certification process comes as Mexico prepares for a surge in international travel ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The country expects to welcome more than 5.5 million additional visitors and generate an estimated US$3.17 billion in revenue, according to Mexico’s Minister of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez.