AICM to Close Runway During Set Timeframes
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AICM to Close Runway During Set Timeframes

Photo by:   Brent Cox
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Fernando Mares By Fernando Mares | Journalist & Industry Analyst - Thu, 07/28/2022 - 17:04

After Mexico City International Airport (AICM) operated with just one runway this weekend due to the a pothole that caused delays and cancelations for flights, authorities announced that one of the two runways will be closed for programmed maintenance for the remainder of the week. 

AICM’s leadership reported that revision and maintenance works will continue. Runway 05L/23R was already closed on July 26, 2022, between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for revision. In addition, the runway will be closed between 23:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. for programmed maintenance to July 31, 2022. In addition, runway 05R/23L, which during this weekend did not operate because of a pothole, was closed on July 27, 2022, due to weekly reviews. 

The authorities did not grant further details about the coordination between AICM and its airlines, which will be affected by the works. “For safety reasons, we check runways once a week to understand their condition. We scheduled works aiming to not severely disrupt operations,” stated AICM on Twitter. 

AICM carries out daily visual checks. If any object or anomaly is reported, the airport personnel closes the runway and repairs it. 

President López Obrador commented on Sunday’s disruption, saying that during his own delayed flight the pilot mentioned that the delay was caused by a “crater” in the runway. The president considered this to be somewhat of an exaggeration and rejected accusations of opposition leaders, who claim that his administration is forcing airlines to move their operations to the Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA).

AICM is the country’s most important airport. In 2021, the International Airports Council (IAC) reported that AICM is ranks 17th in terms of passengers, receiving more than 36 million a year. Nevertheless, its infrastructure has deteriorated to a degree due to lacking maintenance and mismanaged resources, a problem that experts say has been growing for years.

The president concurred with these views and added that grounding works for Terminal 2, constructed during Vicente Fox’s presidential term were installed wrong. López Obrador said he would ask for a technical and administrative audit toward the airport’s expansion. 

López Obrador also proposed bracing works or even the reconstruction of the terminal. He said he would call for a technical study to evaluate the options for a future president. 
 

Photo by:   Brent Cox

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