Valley of Mexico’s Airport System Needs Substantial Maintenance

After a slew of incidents revealed the ramshackle conditions of some infrastructure at Mexico City International Airport (AICM), experts stated that major restoration works are required, particularly at its Terminal 2. Others are worried that AICM’s conditions are not an exclusive issue but apply to all airport infrastructure in the Valley of Mexico.

José Gual, General Secretary, Labor Union of Air Pilots (ASPA) said it is good news that AICM’s Terminal 2 is to be revamped, but it is not the only facility that needs major restoration works. In an interview with La Prensa, Gual stated that Terminal 1 needs to be urgently revamped since it is the oldest terminal in Mexico City and therefore key to the country’s image to the world, as the terminal receives many international travelers. “We need to provide that image of modernity… we are the 16th economy in the world and we deserve quality air terminals and a good service,” Gual added. 

Gual commented that Terminal 2, which was inaugured by former President Felipe Calderón in 2007, needs urgent maintenance since it was planned to merely be a temporary terminal. Nonetheless, with the cancellation of the New Mexico City International Airport (NAICM) that was intended to replace AICM, the airport is working beyond the expected timeframe. Currently, Terminal 2 receives 40 percent of the passengers that arrive in Mexico City. 

According to Gual, another challenge for the area’s airport system is to recover the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Airport Category 1. He urged authorities to create a state aerospace policy to provide Mexico with certainty and not just solve issues temporarily as the Calderon administration had done. He added that if Mexico does not recover Category 1, the Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) will not be able to operate properly. “We need to prevent a cyclical downgrade, with which every ten years we go back to Category 2. We also need more investment in the [aerospace] sector,” Gual stated.

Gual warned that if the federal authorities do not act, the aerospace industry will shrink, and other smaller countries like Panama would surpass Mexico. 

On Aug. 16, 2022, MBN reported to revert the deterioration of Terminal 2, federal authorities announced major maintenance for the terminal. Toward this purpose, the federal government will invest US$30.18 million. Works are expected to start this year to deliver the terminal by the end of 2023. “The work will be overseen by the Mexico City government. The entire foundation will be reinforced because the terminal has structural problems,” said López Obrador.