Mexico City International Airport Explained

Mexico City International Airport
Iata:MEX
Icao:MMMX
Lid:ME1
Type:Public
Owner-Oper:Grupo Aeroportuario de la Ciudad de México
City-Served:Greater Mexico City
Location:Mexico City, Mexico
Hub:Passenger Cargo
Focus City:Magnicharters
Pushpin Map:Mexico Mexico City#Mexico Federal District #Mexico
Pushpin Label:MEX
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within Mexico City
Metric-Rwy:y
R1-Number:05R/23L
R1-Length-M:3,900
R1-Surface:Asphalt
R2-Number:05L/23R
R2-Length-M:3,952
R2-Surface:Asphalt
Stat-Year:2023
Stat1-Header:Total passengers
Stat1-Data:48,415,693
Stat2-Header:Ranking in Mexico
Stat2-Data:1st
Stat3-Header:Cargo tonnage
Stat3-Data:447,887.2
Footnotes:Source: DAFIF[1]
Statistics: Airport website[2]
Elevation-M:2230
Metric-Elev:y
Timezone:CST

Mexico City International Airport (Spanish; Castilian: link=yes|Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México, AICM); officially Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez (Benito Juárez International Airport) is the primary international airport serving Greater Mexico City. It is the busiest airport in Mexico and Latin America,[3] ranking as the 17th-busiest in the world and eighth in North America as of 2022, based on passenger traffic and aircraft movements.[4]

The airport is served by more than 25 airlines, handling flights to over 100 destinations across Mexico, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. With an average of 132,000 daily passengers, the airport handled 46,200,529 passengers in 2022 and 48,415,693 in 2023.

As the primary hub for Mexico's flag carrier, Aeroméxico, Mexico City Airport functions as a SkyTeam hub. Additionally, it serves as a hub for Volaris and Viva Aerobus, and a focus city for Magnicharters. The facility comprises two passenger terminals and two runways. It supports cargo activities and accommodates entities such as Mexican Airspace Navigation Services, the Mexican Federal Civil Aviation Agency, and an Air Force Base. It is owned by the Mexican Navy and operated by Grupo Aeroportuario de la Ciudad de Mexico. It was named after the 19th-century president Benito Juárez.[5]

Part of Mexico City's airport system, which also includes Toluca International Airport and Felipe Ángeles International Airport, the Mexico City International Airport was operating at full capacity, as of mid-2020.[6] With an average of 1,056 daily aircraft movements, it ranks as the busiest two-runway airport in the world.[7]

History

Origins

The original site, known as Llanos de Balbuena, had been utilized for aeronautical activities since 1910, marking a significant milestone when Alberto Braniff became the first person to fly an airplane in Mexico and Latin America.[8] [9] This historic flight took place on board a Voisin biplane. On November 30, 1911, President Francisco I. Madero achieved another aviation first by being the world's inaugural head of state to fly on an airplane, piloted by Geo M. Dyott of Moisant International.[10]

In 1915, the site opened as Balbuena Military Airport, equipped with five runways.[11] The construction of a small civilian airport commenced in 1928. The first landing occurred on November 5, 1928, regular services began in 1929, and the official inauguration took place on May 15, 1931. On July 8, 1943, it gained international status, launching its initial international route to Los Angeles International Airport operated by Mexicana de Aviación.

From 1949 to 1951, the airport underwent an expansion that involved the construction of a new runway, designated as 05R-23L, an apron, a control tower, and administration offices. President Miguel Alemán inaugurated a renovated passenger terminal on November 19, 1952.[12] By 1956, the airport operated with four runways: 05L-23R, 05R-23L, featuring electric lights for night-time service; 13-31, constructed to relieve the runway 14-32, which was too close to adjacent residential areas; and Runway 5 Auxiliary .[13]

On December 2, 1963, the airport's name changed from "Aeropuerto Central" (Central Airport) to "Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México" (Mexico City International Airport).[14] In the 1970s, the two shortest runways (13/31 and 5 Auxiliary) were closed to facilitate the construction of a social housing complex in that area, named Unidad Fiviport.[15] [16] [17] This initiative resulted in the airport's current configuration with two parallel runways. On November 24, 1978, the Mexico City Area Control Center (ACC) commenced its operations and has been in continuous service since then.[18]

Expansion and decentralization

The airport, constrained by its location in a densely populated area, faced limitations in infrastructure expansion due to urban constraints, limited runway space, and congestion during peak hours. The proximity of the two parallel runways restricts fully simultaneous operations, contributing significantly to the constraint. The terminal underwent expansion on multiple occasions: in 1980, doubling its capacity with a single large terminal layout, and in 1990, separating domestic and international facilities for increased functionality. Renovations continued, and on April 11, 1994, a new International section became operational through a joint venture between Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) and Hakim Grupo Industrial, led by Alfredo Hakim Aburto at the time. [19] [20]

Mexicana, a key player in the country's aviation industry, initiated a decentralization effort to alleviate congestion at the airport. This effort involved relocating numerous flights to airports in Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mérida. In 1994, all general aviation operations were moved to Toluca International Airport.[21] Since then, only government, military, commercial, and specially authorized aircraft are allowed at the airport. In 2001, the passenger terminal expanded with the construction of a satellite building east of the terminal featuring eight gates.[22]

Congestion challenges

The congestion challenges at Mexico City Airport became a prominent issue in Mexican politics in the early 2000s. Large infrastructure projects, particularly in transportation, have historically played a crucial role in presidential legacies due to centralized decision-making, their symbolic significance for progress, and leaders' aspirations to leave a lasting impact.

In 2002, President Vicente Fox's administration introduced an ambitious plan for a new expansive airport covering in the municipalities of Atenco and Texcoco. However, the Atenco project faced substantial opposition and controversy, especially from the Community Front in Defense of Land (Spanish; Castilian: link=n|Frente del Pueblo en Defensa de La Tierra, FPDT), representing locals facing displacement. Protests escalated into violent clashes, resulting in the cancellation of the new airport.[23] In response, the federal government in 2003 announced an extension to the existing terminal, expanding its service capacity from 20 million to 32 million passengers annually. The expansion covered, with as new construction and as renovated areas. Renovations included new check-in areas, commercial spaces, a new departures concourse, and the construction of a long-distance bus terminal. The bus station provided access to a food court, the international arrivals and departures area, and a pedestrian bridge connecting to "The Peñón de los Baños" neighborhood.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, political initiatives aimed at establishing nearby airports such as Puebla, Toluca, Cuernavaca, and Querétaro as supplementary options for serving the Mexico City Area were introduced. This initiative, known as the Metropolitan Airport System, was promoted by the Federal Administration.

On November 15, 2007, Terminal 2 was inaugurated, significantly increasing the airport's capacity. All SkyTeam members, except Air France and KLM, relocated their operations to the new terminal. Officially opened in March 2008, Terminal 2 expanded the gates number by 40% and operational capacity by 15%. The inauguration ceremony was led by President Felipe Calderón.[24]

Replacement controversy

See main article: Mexico City Texcoco Airport. In 2014, Mexican authorities declared the airspace around Mexico City Airport saturated, setting a maximum capacity of 61 operations per hour from 7:00 to 23:59.[25] President Peña Nieto's administration reignited major airport infrastructure plans in the same year, introducing the Texcoco Airport project.[26] [27] [28] Positioned as Mexico's most significant public infrastructure project in a century, it aimed to replace the ageing Mexico City International Airport by 2023, featuring a state-of-the-art terminal of and six runways.[29] [30] [31] However, President López Obrador, then a candidate, campaigned against Texcoco Airport, leading to a divisive political discourse.[32] Upon assuming the presidency, López Obrador´s administration initiated a controversial referendum to gauge public opinion on completing Texcoco Airport or proceeding with the Santa Lucía expansion.[33] Despite facing criticism for lacking official validity and result interpretation challenges, López Obrador's administration pursued the Santa Lucía expansion, resulting in Felipe Ángeles International Airport, officially opened in 2022. Positioned as the secondary airport of Mexico City, it has been slow to gain prominence.

On July 23, 2020, an extension of Terminal 2, named Pier L, was inaugurated, adding 7 gates to reduce the use of buses. However, in 2022, a declaration of airport saturation was issued from 5:00 to 23:59 for Terminal 1 and from 6:00 to 23:00 for Terminal 2, maintaining the 61 operations/hour limit.[34] In 2023, the Mexican government attempted to decongest the airport by announcing the relocation of all cargo aircraft landing at Mexico City to Felipe Ángeles Airport to "protect the safety of the operations." This forced relocation led to logistical challenges, increased inefficiencies, safety concerns, and a lack of storage facilities at Felipe Ángeles Airport.[35]

Facilities

The airport is located in the neighborhood of Peñón de los Baños within Venustiano Carranza, one of the sixteen boroughs of Mexico City, situated east of Downtown Mexico City. Surrounded by the built-up areas of Gustavo A. Madero borough to the north and Venustiano Carranza borough to the west, south, and east, the airport's runways, running southwest–northeast, contribute to overflying problems and noise pollution over Mexico City during landings with a northeast wind.[36] [37]

Being a hot and high airport at an elevation above sea level, any aircraft departing or arriving suffers from degraded performance due to the thinner air at such a high elevation. The field itself spans, featuring two parallel runways, less than apart, hindering simultaneous operations. Runway 05L/23R is long, and runway 05R/23L is long. North of the airfield houses Terminal 1, cargo facilities, maintenance hangars, and administration buildings. On its northern edge, Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA), a government-owned corporation, has its headquarters.[38] [39] South of the airfield, there is Terminal 2, maintenance hangars, police and Mexican Airspace Navigation Services facilities, and a military complex.

Air Force Base No. 19 (Spanish; Castilian: Base Aérea Militar No. 19 Ciudad de México) (B.A.M. 19) is located on the airport grounds, adjacent to Terminal 2. It serves as the home for the High Command Special Air Transport Unit (UETAAM) managing a diverse fleet of aircraft that includes the Boeing 737, IAI 201, JetStar, King Air, SA 330J, and UH-60 Black Hawk. It also hosts the General Coordination of the Presidential Air Transport Unit. B.A.M. 19 features an apron and several hangars, one of which is called the Presidential Hangar, used for receiving state visits and presidential travels.[40] In addition to these, it includes administrative buildings and various other facilities for accommodating Air Force personnel.[41] Mexico City Area Control Center (ACC) is one of four Area Control Centres in Mexico, with the others being the Mazatlán ACC, Monterrey ACC, and Mérida ACC. It operates under the Mexican Airspace Navigation Services, (Spanish; Castilian: link=yes|Servicios a la Navegación en el Espacio Aéreo Mexicano). Mexico ACC provides air traffic control services to aircraft within the Mexico Flight Data Region (FDRG). This region includes the central portion of Mexico. It shares its boundaries with six other Area Control Centers. To the north, it is adjacent to the Monterrey ACC, while to the east, it borders the Merida ACC. To the west, it borders the Mazatlán ACC, and to the south, it borders the Mazatlán Oceanic (MMFO).

The airport features 95 hardstands for aircraft, with 63 connected via Jet bridges to the terminals (33 in Terminal 1 and 30 in Terminal 2) and 32 remote stands. With an average of 1,056 daily operations, it holds the highest number for any two-runway airport globally.

Terminals

Terminal 1

Terminal 1, operational since 1958, has undergone several expansions, with significant upgrades in 1970, 1989, 1998, 2000, and 2004, resulting in a total surface area of . The structure is an long, two-story building, with international services located in the eastern section and domestic services in the west. The ground floor accommodates all arrival facilities, featuring 22 baggage claim carousels, domestic check-in areas for Volaris, Viva Aerobus, and Magnicharters (A1, A2, B, C, D, D1), as well as a commercial corridor along the street hosting snack kiosks, banks, souvenir shops and car rental services. The top floor comprises international check-in areas (F1, F2, F3), food courts, restaurants, multiple security checkpoints, and a long departures concourse (gates 1 to 28) connected via a walkway to a satellite building (gates 29-36).

Gates 1 to 18 serve domestic flights, while gates 19 to 36 cater to international flights. Thirty-three gates are equipped with jetbridges, and additional 17 remote positions can be reached by bus. The terminal also houses a 110-room Hilton hotel, administrative offices, two long-distance bus terminals, and parking facilities available for 5,500 vehicles.

Terminal 1 features various VIP lounges, including the Admirals Club by American Airlines, Elite Lounge by MasterCard, Salón Centurión by American Express, Salón Beyond by Citibanamex, Televisa Vip Lounge, Terraza Elite, The Grand Lounge Elite, The Grand Lounge Elite 19, The Lounge by Global Network, United Club by United Airlines, and VIPort Lounge.

In the vicinity of the terminal, a variety of hotels are available. Hilton Aeropuerto México, Camino Real Aeropuerto México, Courtyard Mexico City Airport, and izZzleep Hotel have direct access from the terminal. Nearby airports include Fiesta Inn Aeropuerto México, Holiday Inn México Dalí Aeropuerto, City Express Aeropuerto Ciudad de México, Hotel Grand Prix, Hotel Riazor, NH Aeropuerto T2 México, and We Hotel Aeropuerto.

The primary tenants at the terminal are Volaris and Viva Aerobus, which operate their hub at this location. Other airlines serving Terminal 1 include Air Canada, Air France, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Avianca, Avianca Costa Rica, Avianca El Salvador, British Airways, Emirates, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Magnicharters, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Volaris Costa Rica, and Volaris El Salvador.

Terminal 2

Operations at Terminal 2 commenced on November 15, 2007, with inaugural flights by Delta Air Lines, followed by Aeroméxico, Copa, LAN, and Continental Airlines. Former President Felipe Calderón formally inaugurated Terminal 2 on March 26, 2008. Despite the initial plan for all SkyTeam member airlines to use the terminal, Air France and KLM opted to remain at Terminal 1. Currently, Terminal 2 serves as the main hub for Aeromexico. Due to capacity constraints at Terminal 2, some of Aeromexico's domestic services temporarily operated from Terminal 1 between 2021 and 2023.

The terminal spans a total surface area of . Arrivals are handled on the lower level, featuring 15 baggage claim carousels, customs and immigration facilities, and an arrivals hall with a long-distance bus terminal. The upper level includes three check-in areas (L1-L3), two security checkpoints, and a main concourse connected to three piers. A mezzanine houses VIP lounges and administrative offices.

Three piers contain food courts, duty-free shops, and 30 gates (numbered 52 to 81), all equipped with jetbridges. The northern Pier hosts gates 52-62, and the southern pier has gates 63-75. In 2020, the terminal underwent its only expansion with the inauguration of Pier L, a new infrastructure located at the southern end, adjacent to the airport's boundary with Boulevard Fuerza Aérea Mexicana.[42] Gates 75 to 81, dedicated to serving Aeromexico Connect services with narrow-body aircraft, are situated here. Due to the building's narrowness, it lacks commercial amenities. Additionally, there are 10 remote positions accessible via bus.

Terminal 2 provides passengers access to various VIP lounges, including HSBC Salón Premier by HSBC, Salón Beyond by Citibanamex, Salón Centurión by American Express, Salón Premier Nacional by Aeroméxico, Salón Premier Internacional by Aeroméxico, Terraza Premier by Heineken and Aeroméxico, and VIPort Lounge. Furthermore, hotel services are available, including a 287-room NH hotel, and izZzleep Hotel Terminal 2. The parking facilities accommodate 3,000 vehicles.

Airlines serving Terminal 2 include Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, LATAM Brasil, LATAM Chile, and LATAM Perú.

Inter-terminal transportation

The distance between the two terminals is . A bus shuttle service named "inter-terminal transportation" facilitates seamless transit between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Bus stops are conveniently positioned at entrance 6 of Terminal 1 and entrance 4 of Terminal 2.[43]

Passengers holding a boarding pass, as well as technical and cabin crew, have the option to utilize the Aerotrén people mover system. Operating at a speed of, the Aerotrén has a daily passenger capacity of 7,800.

Terminal 3 (proposed)

The intended construction of Terminal 3 faced cancellation amid the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The recovery of flight numbers to 2019 levels is anticipated to take several years. Furthermore, the opening of the Felipe Ángeles Airport in Mexico State in 2022 may pose challenges for the Mexico City Airport in achieving pre-pandemic levels.

Airlines and destinations

The airport connects 50 domestic and 64 international destinations in Latin America, North America, Europe and Asia. Aeromexico serves the largest number of cities from any Latin American hub (80), 46 domestic and 34 international.[44] It also operates the most departures and most destinations from the airport followed by Volaris. The most prominent foreign airlines are United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Avianca Holdings.

Passenger

Notes:

China Southern’s flights to Shenzhen make a refueling stop in Tijuana. However, the airline does not have traffic rights to transport passengers solely between Mexico City and Tijuana.[45]

Hainan Airlines’s flights to Beijing–Capital make a stop in Tijuana. However, the airline does not have traffic rights to transport passengers solely between Mexico City and Tijuana.

Turkish Airlines’ flights to Istanbul make a stop in Cancun. However, the airline does not have traffic rights to transport passengers solely between Mexico City and Cancun.

Other services

Apart from the scheduled airlines mentioned earlier, Mexico City Airport is utilized by several other carriers for chartered flights, such as Sunwing Airlines.

Cargo

As of January 2022, Mexico City airport was served by 20 cargo airlines flying directly to Europe, Central, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa and East Asia.

By July 2023, cargo operations at Mexico City International Airport were shifted to Felipe Ángeles International Airport, following a government decree.[46] [47]

Destination maps

Statistics

In 2023, Mexico City International Airport handled 48,415,693 passengers, establishing itself as the busiest airport in Latin America. The recorded year-to-year increase was 4.7%. In the realm of international passengers, it ranks as the third busiest airport in Latin America, serving 16,332,734 passengers, following Cancún and Panama City-Tocumen airports.

In 2022, it was the eighth in North America, and the 20th globally in terms of total passengers.

With 387,450 aircraft movements in 2022, the airport ranked as the busiest in Latin America, 14th in North America, and 19th in the world, experiencing an 18.2% increase from the previous year. Averaging 1,061 daily aircraft movements, it stands out as the busiest two-runway airport globally.[48]

Regarding cargo operations, in 2022 the airport held its position as the busiest in Mexico and the second busiest in Latin America, following El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, and the 54th globally, having moved 548,743.1 tons.

On a typical day, over 130,000 passengers travel through the airport, connecting to more than 100 destinations across three continents. Additionally, the airport significantly contributes to the economy of Mexico City, directly supporting 35,000 jobs and indirectly influencing another 15,000 in the immediate area.[49]

Passenger statistics[50]
YearDomestic% changeInternational% changeTotal% change
2023 32,082,959 1.216,332,734 12.148,415,693 4.7
2022 31,694,588 22.414,563,933 43.246,258,521 28.3
2021 25,883,725 59.910,172,889 75.536,056,614 64.0
2020 16,186,836 50.45,794,875 67.221,981,711 56.3
2019 32,660,267 7.117,647,782 2.650,308,049 5.5
2018 30,495,723 5.217,204,824 9.247,700,547 6.6
2017 28,979,063 4.815,753,355 12.144,732,418 7.2
2016 27,654,171 7.714,056,083 10.241,710,254 8.5
201525,674,622 12.812,758,456 10.938,433,078 12.2
201422,753,467 8.911,502,272 8.234,255,739 8.6
201320,900,194 6.210,634,444 8.431,534,638 6.9
201219,678,117 12.79,813,436 10.229,491,553 11.84
201117,461,438 12.038,907,423 4.2626,368,861 9.28
201015,587,068 3.448,543,467 5.4724,130,535 0.46
200916,142,330 3.88,100,726 14.124,243,056 7.5
200816,777,773 1.19,432,444 1.526,210,217 1.3
200716,592,422 4.79,289,240 4.625,881,662 4.7
200615,848,060 2.18,879,236 3.324,727,296 2.5
200515,523,755align="center"-8,591,797align="center"-24,115,552align="center"-
Aircraft movements
YearDomestic% changeInternational% changeTotal% change
2023251,434 7.7111,837 2.7363,271 6.2
2022272,505 14.7114,945 27.3387,450 18.2
2021237,570 33.290,319 47.7327,889 36.9
2020178,247 45.061,120 55.1239,367 48.0
2019323,858 1.9136,129 3.4459,987 0.3
2018317,722 0.7140,866 4.9458,588 2.0
2017315,409 3.6134,255 11.1449,664 0.3
2016327,273 4.2120,874 7.3448,150 5.0
2015314,098 3.5112,663 9.5426,761 5.0
2014307,017 4.3102,937 4.7409,954 4.4
2013294,279 3.398,287 5.9392,566 3.9
2012284,971 7.192,772 10.4377,743 7.9
2011265,986 2.5184,046 4.50350,032 2.98
2010259,470 3.380,428 0.5339,898 2.4
2009268,252 3.380,054 10.3348,306 5.0
2008277,294 3.389,267 2.3366,561 3.1
2007286,821 6.391,340 6.4378,161 6.3
2006269,719 6.885,874 7.1355,593 6.9
2005252,472align="center"-80,151align="center"-332,623align="center"-
Cargo [metric tons]
YearDomestic% changeInternational% changeTotal% change
202372,921.4 16.3374,965.8 22.5447,887.2 21.5
202287,101.2 8.7483,707.8 2.4570,809.0 0.5
202195,377.9 19.9472,401.2 21.0567,779.1 18.4
202079,536.3 24.1390,178.0 13.5469,714.3 15.5
2019104,832.5 3.0451,309.8 6.0556,142.3 4.4
2018101,774.72 2.49479,900.56 9.58581,675.28 8.27
201799,303.94 8.15437,958.75 11.83537,262.69 11.13
201691,820.00 11.84391,613.40 7.35483,433.40 8.17
201582,100.42 21.92364,814.69 10.14446,915.11 12.13
201467,341.85 5.75331,214.62 5.85398,556.47 5.83
201363,678.54 19.05312,911.31 1.71376,589.85 5.15
201278,666.10 4.01318,351.98 3.38397,018.08 3.51
201181,953.37 3.41329,502.22 6.90411,455.59 4.68
201084,846.88 1.01308,228.992 29.98393,075.87 22.40
200983,999.43 13.47237,134.01 15.01321,133.44 14.61
200897,070.08align="center"-279,025.63align="center"-376,095.71align="center"-

Busiest routes

Busiest domestic routes from Mexico City International Airport (2023)[51]
RankAirportPassengersYoY % changeRankingAirline(s)
1, Cancún2,126,132 9.32%Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Magnicharters, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
2, Monterrey1,741,538 7.27%Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
3, Guadalajara1,515,894 3.64%Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
4, Tijuana1,207,975 9.00%Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
5, Mérida951,912 2.33%Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Magnicharters, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
6, Puerto Vallarta568,541 14.81%Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Magnicharters, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
7, San José del Cabo542,565 12.34%Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Magnicharters, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
8, Hermosillo491,417 5.94%Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
9, Ciudad Juárez462,712 2.69%Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
10, Tuxtla Gutiérrez446,703 1.35%Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
11, Villahermosa445,157 11.36% 1Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
12, Chihuahua395,240 4.80% 1Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
13, Oaxaca358,983 14.52% 1Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
14, Huatulco332,881 13.69% 1Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Magnicharters, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
15, Puerto Escondido332,500 10.68%Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
16, Mexicali314,935 14.15%Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
17, Mazatlán280,279 8.23% 1Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
18, Veracruz274,949 24.45% 3Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
19, Culiacán263,059 3.36% 2Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
20, Torreón256,820 6.41%Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
Busiest international routes from Mexico City International Airport (2023)
RankAirportPassengersYoY % changeRankingAirline(s)
1 Spain, Madrid517,214 13.72%Aeroméxico, Iberia
2 United States, Los Angeles446,324 6.93% 1Aeroméxico, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, VivaAerobús, Volaris
3 United States, Houston–Intercontinental440,510 2.02% 1Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, United Airlines, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
4 Colombia, Bogotá426,646 3.81%Aeroméxico, Avianca, Viva Aerobus, Volaris, Wingo
5 United States, Miami383,288 7.25%Aeroméxico, American Airlines, Volaris
6 United States, New York–JFK365,180 24.25% 2Aeroméxico, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Viva Aerobus
7 United States, Chicago–O'Hare342,261 9.12% 1Aeroméxico, United Airlines, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
8 United States, Dallas/Fort Worth280,069 7.26% 1Aeroméxico Connect, American Airlines, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
9 France, Paris – Charles de Gaulle265,654 5.34%Aeroméxico, Air France
10 Panama, Panama City–Tocumen248,588 6.07%Copa Airlines
11 United States, Atlanta242,665 16.45%Delta Air Lines
12 United States, San Francisco237,045 20.71%Aeroméxico, United Airlines
13 Canada, Toronto-Pearson210,108 15.09%Aeroméxico, Air Canada
14 United States, Orlando199,706 26.18% 3Aeroméxico, Volaris
15 Costa Rica, San José (CR)197,002 29.47% 5Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Avianca Costa Rica, Volaris Costa Rica
16 Guatemala, Guatemala City193,991 25.13% 3Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Volaris Costa Rica
17 United States, Las Vegas193,658 13.01% 2Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
18 Canada, Vancouver175,347 12.18%Aeroméxico, Air Canada
19 Netherlands, Amsterdam162,156 0.03% 3Aeroméxico, KLM
20 Peru, Lima161,168 10.32% 6Aeroméxico, LATAM Perú, Volaris

Ground transportation

Metrobús

Metrobus Line 4 provides an express service from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at the airport. This service links the airport directly to San Lázaro Metro Station. San Lázaro Metro Station is served by Metro lines 1, 9, and B, and it is adjacent to the TAPO (Terminal de Autobuses de Pasajeros de Oriente), the largest long-distance bus terminal in Mexico City. TAPO offers bus services to central, eastern, and southern Mexico.

Terminal 1 features a dedicated Metrobus stop at Entrance 7, and Terminal 2 has its Metrobus stop at Entrance 2. Passengers can access the service by obtaining a Metrobus Card from vending machines at these bus stops. The fare for the service to San Lázaro is 30 Mexican Pesos, and the cost of the card is 21 Mexican Pesos as of 2024. The Metrobus services operate from 5 am to midnight.[52]

Metro Station

Terminal 1 is connected to the Terminal Aérea metro station, a part of Mexico City Metro Line 5 running from Pantitlán metro station to Politécnico metro station. It is linked to Terminal 1 through an open-air walkway starting at Entrance 1. The Terminal Aérea Metro station is also served by Trolley bus line 4 in the northbound direction, following a route similar to Metro line 2 but branching towards El Rosario metro station.

Terminal 2, on the other hand, lacks a nearby metro station. However, it is an walk from Pantitlán metro station, served by Metro lines 1, 5, 9, A, and various local buses.

Long-distance Buses

In Terminal 1, the Long-distance Bus terminal, also known as Terminal de Autobuses or Autobuses Foráneos, serves various bus companies. Access is from the international departures section on the top floor, near the food court, through an elevated walkway spanning the entrance road. Ticketing counters are available, and platforms can be reached via escalators to the ground floor.

Terminal 1 features a specific terminal for the ADO bus company, named ADO Llegadas Nacionales. Situated next to the Hotel Camino Real, it can be accessed through a secondary elevated walkway spanning the entrance road. This walkway originates from the national section on the top floor, in front of Hall B, above Entrance 4.

In Terminal 2, the long-distance bus terminal, labeled "Transportación Terrestre," is on the ground floor next to arrivals hall Q.

Long-distance bus services
Terminal 1 Terminal de Autobuses Foráneos
Bus CompanyType of ServiceDestinations
ADOLong distance couchPuebla CAPU, Puebla Paseo Destino
ADO conectaShuttle serviceMexico City-Felipe Ángles Airport (AIFA)
CaminanteLong distance couchToluca Tollocan
Estrella BlancaPachuca
Estrella RojaPuebla CAPU, Puebla Paseo Destino
Primera PlusQuerétaro Central, Querétaro 5 de Febrero, Celaya, San Juan del Río
Pullman de MorelosCuernavaca Casino
Terminal 1 ADO Llegadas Nacionales
ADOLong distance couchCórdoba, Orizaba, Veracruz
ADO AeropuertoShuttle serviceXalapa
ADO GLFirst class long-distance couchOaxaca
DiamanteLong distance couchAcapulco Costera
Terminal 2 Autobuses Foráneos
ADOLong distance couchPuebla CAPU, Puebla Paseo Destino
CaminanteToluca Tollocan
Estrella RojaPuebla CAPU, Puebla Paseo Destino
Primera PlusQuerétaro Central, Querétaro 5 de Febrero, Celaya, San Juan del Río

Bus service to Felipe Angeles Airport

Transportation options to Mexico City´s secondary airport, Felipe Ángeles International Airport, are limited. Shuttle services from Terminal 1 are provided by ADO and Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares.

Authorized taxis

Taxis are in operation in Terminals 1 and 2 and there are two models of service: ordinary service in a sedan-type vehicle for four passengers, and executive service in eight-passenger vans. There are five taxi groups in operation. These are the only taxis authorized by the Mexican Department of Transportation (SCT).

Accidents and incidents

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: usurped. Airport information for MMMX. https://web.archive.org/web/20190305143444/http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?airport=MMMX. 2019-03-05. World Aero Data. Data current as of October 2006. Source: DAFIF.
  2. Web site: AICM in Numbers, December 2023. Mexico City International Airport. January 2024. January 10, 2024.
  3. Web site: Airport Economics in Latin America and the Caribbean. Tomás Serebrisky. The World Bank. 2022-01-30. January 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130150043/https://ppiaf.org/documents/2058/download. dead.
  4. Web site: 2022 Airport Traffic Report. https://web.archive.org/web/20230528095635/https://www.panynj.gov/content/dam/airports/statistics/statistics-general-info/annual-atr/ATR_2022.pdf . 2023-05-28 . live. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. April 2023. 32.
  5. Web site: Elizalde . Triunfo . Vargas . Rosa Elvira . October 5, 2006 . Decretará Fox que el AICM se denomine Benito Juárez . President Vicente Fox decrees official name for Mexico City Airport . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140908232128/https://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/10/05/index.php?section=politica&article=024n1pol . September 8, 2014 . La Jornada . es.  
  6. News: Cantera . Sara . IATA respalda cancelación de la Terminal 3 y suspensión de adquisición del Aeropuerto de Toluca . El Universal (México) . June 11, 2020.
  7. Web site: Airport Runway Counts & Traffic Stats .
  8. Web site: Mexican-americans in aviation online exhibition. San Diego Air & Space Museum. September 7, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140807004709/http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/exhibits/mexican_american_exhibit/. August 7, 2014. live.
  9. Web site: Conquistador of the Sky: A History of Aviation in Latin America. Project MUSE. September 7, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222155202/http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/the_americas/summary/v067/67.3.ganson.html. December 22, 2015. live.
  10. Web site: Mexico's 100 years of flying taking off to new heights!. The Catalist. September 7, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141120080122/http://thecatalist.org/2010/01/570/. November 20, 2014. live.
  11. Web site: A brief Mexican History aviation. Mexconnect. September 7, 2014.
  12. Web site: One more year of Mexico City International Airport (In Spanish). Contenido. September 7, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140907005210/http://contenido.com.mx/2013/11/un-ano-mas-del-aicm/. September 7, 2014.
  13. Web site: "Breve Historia del Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México", Mexico City International Airport . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140906085020/http://www.aicm.com.mx/acercadelaicm/Archivos/BREVEHISTORIA2011.pdf . September 6, 2014 . September 6, 2014.
  14. Web site: Historia de la aviación en México (in Spanish) . Colegio de Pilotos de México . 2016-01-26 . February 22, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160222114657/http://www.colegiodepilotos.org/nosotros/la-aviaci%C3%B3n-en-m%C3%A9xico/ . dead .
  15. Book: Obras . 1993 . June 4, 2015.
  16. Web site: A New Airport for Mexico City? . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150605002036/http://mexdfmagazine.com/2013/02/22/a-new-airport-for-mexico-city/ . June 5, 2015 . June 4, 2015 . MexDFmagazine.
  17. Historic photo at FlyAPM site
  18. Sistema Aeroportuario de la Ciudad de México (in Spanish) . Esquinca, Rosique . May 25, 2013 . 2016-02-03. P . Fernando Rosique . Ozorno . Oscar Esquinca .
  19. Web site: 2011-09-20 . Hakim Grupo Industrial El caballo de . 2023-12-31 . Expansión . en.
  20. News: Sherman . Paul . 1993-10-10 . TRAVEL ADVISORY; Mexico City Adds Terminal To Airport . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-12-31 . 0362-4331.
  21. Web site: DECRETO que establece el cierre del Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México Benito Juárez (in Spanish) . Diario Oficial de la Federación . January 13, 1994 . 2016-02-03.
  22. News: Iniciaría en febrero la ampliación del AICM (in Spanish) . El Universal . January 3, 2000 . 2016-02-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203223707/http://archivo.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/11622.html . February 3, 2016 . live .
  23. News: Mexico drops planned airport after protests from peasants. The New York Times. August 3, 2002 . September 7, 2014. Thompson . Ginger .
  24. News: Mexico City inaugurates new airport terminal. USA Today. September 7, 2014.
  25. Web site: DECLARATORIA de saturación en el campo aéreo del Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México . DOF - Diario Oficial de la Federación . Diario Oficial de la Federación . 2014-09-29 . 2016-01-26.
  26. Web site: New Mexico City International Airport . CAPA Centre for Aviation . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140906201454/https://centreforaviation.com/profiles/newairports/new-mexico-city-international-airport . September 6, 2014.  
  27. News: UPDATE 1-Mexico eyes foreign builder, local partners for $9 bln airport . Veronica . Gomez . Gabriel . Stargardter . . September 4, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140905114617/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/04/mexico-airport-idUSL1N0R51U720140904 . September 5, 2014.  
  28. News: Mexico to open new mega airport in 2018 . Rainer . Uphoff . . . September 4, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140905115031/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/mexico-to-open-new-mega-airport-in-2018-403347/ . September 5, 2014.  
  29. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2014/0903/Ready-for-landing-Mexico-City-airport-expansion-could-make-it-one-of-largest-in-world "Ready for landing: Mexico City airport expansion could make it one of largest in world", Christian Science Monitor, 2014-09-03
  30. News: Luhnow . David . September 2, 2014 . Mexico Plans New $9.2 Billion Airport . .  
  31. Web site: Mexico City's New Mega-Airport Will Collect Its Own Energy and Water. Alissa Walker. Gizmodo. September 3, 2014 . June 4, 2015.
  32. Web site: Close. https://web.archive.org/web/20181031003550/http://time.com/5438633/mexico-referendum-airport-rejected/. October 31, 2018.
  33. News: Nensel . Mark . IATA: Cancellation of Mexico airport construction to cost over $5 billion . . 12 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190110024852/http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/iata-cancellation-mexico-airport-construction-cost-over-5-billion . January 10, 2019 . January 12, 2019 . live.
  34. Web site: RESOLUCIÓN por la que se declara la saturación de los edificios terminales del Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez de la Ciudad de México. . DOF - Diario Oficial de la Federación . Diario Oficial de la Federación . 2022-03-03 . 2023-01-16.
  35. Web site: Uprooted cargo airlines relocate to secondary airport near Mexico City . July 6, 2023 .
  36. Web site: Unplanned airport planning in Mexico City . dead . https://archive.today/20140908164515/http://www.academia.edu/2575234/The_dark_side_of_aeromobilities_Unplanned_airport_planning_in_Mexico_City . September 8, 2014 . September 8, 2014 . Academia Education.
  37. Web site: Disgruntled neighbours by noise pollution in Mexico City . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140908223231/http://mexico.quadratin.com.mx/Se-quejan-vecinos-de-Interlomas-por-ruido-de-aviones/ . September 8, 2014 . September 8, 2014 . Quadratin.
  38. Web site: ASA's address . September 6, 2014 . Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares.
  39. Retrieved on December 20, 2011. "Av.602 No.161 Col.Zona Federal Aeropuerto Internacional Ciudad de México Delegación Venustiano Carranza, C.P.15620, México D.F."
  40. Web site: 22 July 2020 . Estrenan Base Aérea Militar con regreso del Avión Presidencial . July 23, 2020 . Excélsior . es.
  41. Web site: Bases Aéreas. Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional. .
  42. Web site: Entra en operaciones el Dedo "L" de la T2 del AICM .
  43. Web site: Terminals Mexico City Benito Juarez Airport . mexico-airport.com.
  44. Aeromexico, The Airline Serving The Largest Number Of Cities From A Hub In Latin America. Aeromexico. www.prnewswire.com.
  45. Web site: China to Mexico: First direct flight in 4 years touches down at AICM. Mexico News Daily. May 13, 2024. May 15, 2024.
  46. Web site: 2023-02-03 . El Gobierno cierra por decreto el aeropuerto de la Ciudad de México a los vuelos de carga . El País . es.
  47. Web site: 2023-02-02 . Decreto que establece el cierre del Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México Benito Juárez, para las operaciones del servicio al público de transporte aéreo que se indica . https://archive.today/20230520181001/https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5678705&fecha=02/02/2023%23gsc.tab=0 . 2023-05-20 . es.
  48. Web site: ACI World confirms top 20 busiest airports worldwide . July 19, 2023 .
  49. Web site: Benito Juárez International airport - Economic and social impacts . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141031075455/http://www.ecquants.com/2012_MEX.aspx . October 31, 2014 . September 7, 2013 . Ecquants.
  50. Web site: Statistics Mexico City Airport. Mexico City International Airport. January 20, 2024.
  51. Web site: Estadística operacional por origen-destino / Traffic Statistics by City Pairs. Spanish . Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil . January 2024 . February 1, 2024.
  52. Web site: Metrobus. September 11, 2013 . Mexico City International Airport. May 28, 2020.
  53. Web site: Blanca Estela Pavón y el campesino que informó su muerte a orillas del Popo . August 24, 2017 .
  54. Web site: XA-GEV Accident description . Aviation Safety Network . July 24, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111123172341/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19680410-1 . November 23, 2011 . live .
  55. Web site: WA2605 Accident description. Aviation Safety Network. September 4, 2014.
  56. Web site: Flight WA2605 crash photo. Air Disaster. September 4, 2014. usurped. https://web.archive.org/web/20141021233343/http://www.airdisaster.com/photos/wa2605/photo.shtml. October 21, 2014.
  57. Web site: Commercial airline bombing history. Aerospaceweb. September 6, 2014.
  58. Web site: XA-BCS Accident description (in Spanish). La Jornada. September 4, 2014.
  59. Plane crash kills Mexico's deputy leader. Time. September 4, 2014.
  60. Web site: Bolivian man acted alone in Mexico hijacking.. CNN. September 4, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140328000557/http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/09/09/mexico.hijacking/index.html?eref=onion. March 28, 2014. live.
  61. Web site: Accident: Lufthansa Cargo MD11 at Mexico City on Sep 13th 2009, hard landing . The Aviation Herald . October 11, 2009.
  62. Web site: Lufthansa Cargo wird D-ALCO in Stand setzen . aero.de/Aviation Media & IT . October 24, 2009. de. October 16, 2009 .