AFAC Warned SEDENA About Issues at Tulum, Chetumal Airports

Leaked documents revealed that the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) warned the Ministry of Defense (SEDENA) about potential planning errors at the to-be-constructed Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (AIFCP) in Tulum, as well as regarding other airport and infrastructure projects. 

The information revealed by the hacktivist group Guacamaya exposed conversations between SEDENA and Maricruz Hernández, Director of Airports, AFAC, during which she warned the ministry about anomalies caused by the Mayan Train’s Section 6, developed by SEDENA’s engineers, which goes from Tulum to Chetumal. According to AFAC, the railway project is at risk due to its proximity to Chetumal International Airport (AIC). “The railway is located within the airport’s approach and safety areas. Its chosen location will therefore not be feasible,” reads AFAC’s message. 

According to leaked documents, SEDENA is planning to construct new facilities and refurbish AIC. Nonetheless, AFAC encountered problems that might limit SEDENA’s plans. According to the airspace authority, the administrative building, garage and workshops that SEDENA wants to build are placed in the airport’s runway transition area. Therefore, building height would be limited. 

Another leaked document revealed messages exchanged between Hernández and Gustavo Vallejo, a SEDENA Brigadier General responsible for the construction of Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), whom Hernández questioned regarding the total surface of AIFCP. Hernández argued that the information presented to AFAC was incomplete and asked for the verification of AIFCP’s approach area and runway to ensure no obstacles would be found in the area.

SEDENA is currently participating in the construction of complementary infrastructure for the Mayan Train in the southeast as part of the federal government’s efforts to save costs and time for key infrastructure projects. The Mayan Train’s Section 6 is one of the most complicated sections of the project because it crosses the jungle, needs to be built on complex geography and might come across archeological findings.

SEDENA has actively invested in developing both AIC and AIFCP. In early 2022, it announced that together with Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA), it invested US$2.5 million in the refurbishment of AIC. In addition, according to another leaked document, SEDENA paid over US$39,600 to expropriate land for the construction of AIFCP on Aug. 19, 2022.

AIC and AIFCP are among the airports and infrastructure projects that SEDENA intends to manage via the holding company Grupo Aeroportuario Ferroviario y de Servicios Auxiliares Olmeca-Maya-Mexica (GAFSAOMM). Among other projects, it will run hotels and an airline.