Despite the growing demand for summer vacations, Mexico City International Airport (AICM) ha lost 1.7 million passengers this year.
This is due to the reduction from 52 to 43 operations per hour for domestic flights, which seeks to alleviate the saturation of the country’s main air hub and that airlines are expandan at Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA).
The AICM moved to 30.4 million travelers from January to August last year, 1.7 million fewer than in the same period in 2023, and 3 million below the same figure lapse of 2019, when it reached an all-time high.
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This is in line with the goal of 46 million for this year that was set by the administration from the airport that runs the Rear Admiral Jose Ramon Rivera.
“There is no doubt that the policies implemented by the government have had an impact on the lower traffic at AICM,” said Jonathan Félix, an aviation sector analyst at Verum.
The Benito Juárez airport is required to serve at least 40 million travelers per year to cover the Airport Use Fee (OLD) which is transferred to the trust in charge of paying the bonds that financed the construction of the Texcoco project.
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The AIFA was inaugurated on March 21, 2022 with the aim of alleviating the saturation of the AICM, although it still cannot support more than 6 million passengers per year under current conditions. The terminal transported 3.9 million users between January and August of this year.
– What factors contributed to the 1.7 million passenger decline at Mexico City International Airport?
Table of Contents
Mexico City International Airport Sees 1.7 Million Passenger Decline Amid Flight Reductions and Airport Expansion
Despite the growing demand for summer vacations, Mexico City International Airport (AICM) has experienced a decline of 1.7 million passengers this year. This significant drop is attributed to the reduction of domestic flight operations from 52 to 43 per hour, aiming to alleviate the saturation of the country’s main air hub. Furthermore, airlines are expanding their operations at Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), contributing to the decline in passenger traffic at AICM.
Flight Reductions and Airport Expansion
The reduction in flight operations at AICM is a deliberate move to address the airport’s saturation issues. By decreasing the number of flights, the airport aims to improve efficiency and reduce congestion. Meanwhile, AIFA is expanding its operations, absorbing some of the passenger traffic that would have otherwise passed through AICM.
Passenger Traffic Decline
According to recent figures, AICM has seen a decline of 1.7 million passengers from January to August this year, compared to the same period in 2022. This represents a 5.4% decrease, with only 30.4 million travelers passing through the airport during this time. In contrast, AICM reached an all-time high of 33.4 million passengers in the same period in 2019.
Government Goals and Airport Administration
The administration of AICM, led by Rear Admiral Jose Ramon Rivera, has set a target of 46 million passengers for this year. While this goal may seem ambitious, it is crucial for the airport to meet its revenue projections, particularly to cover the Airport Use Fee (OLD) transferred to the trust responsible for paying the bonds that financed the construction of the Texcoco project.
Expert Insights
Aviation sector analyst Jonathan Félix of Verum noted that the government’s policies have indeed had an impact on the lower traffic at AICM. The reduction in flight operations and the expansion of AIFA are likely to continue affecting passenger traffic at AICM in the short term.
Impact on Airport Operations
The decline in passenger traffic at AICM raises concerns about the airport’s ability to generate sufficient revenue to cover its operational costs and debt obligations. The airport must serve at least 40 million travelers per year to break even and meet its financial commitments. With the current trend, AICM may struggle to reach this target, potentially affecting its long-term sustainability.
Conclusion
The decline of 1.7 million passengers at Mexico City International Airport is a significant development in the aviation industry. The reduction in flight operations and the expansion of AIFA are likely to continue shaping the airport’s performance in the coming months. As the airport administration works to meet its revenue targets, it must also address the underlying issues affecting passenger traffic and find ways to revitalize growth.
Optimized Keywords:
Mexico City International Airport (AICM)
Passenger traffic decline
Flight reductions
Airport expansion
Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA)
Aviation sector
Government policies
Airport administration
Airport Use Fee (OLD)
Texcoco project
Revenue projections
Operational costs
* Debt obligations
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Mexico City International Airport sees 1.7 million passenger decline amid flight reductions and airport expansion. Learn more about the factors contributing to this decline and its implications for the airport’s operations and revenue projections.
– What factors contributed to the 1.7 million passenger decline at Mexico City International Airport?
Mexico City International Airport Sees 1.7 Million Passenger Decline Amid Flight Reductions and Airport Expansion
Despite the growing demand for summer vacations, Mexico City International Airport (AICM) has experienced a decline of 1.7 million passengers this year. This significant drop is attributed to the reduction of domestic flight operations from 52 to 43 per hour, aiming to alleviate the saturation of the country’s main air hub and facilitate the expansion of airlines at Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA).
Decline in Passenger Traffic
According to recent statistics, AICM has moved 30.4 million travelers from January to August last year, 1.7 million fewer than in the same period in 2023, and 3 million below the same figure in 2019, when it reached an all-time high. This decline is in line with the goal of 46 million for this year set by the administration of the airport, led by Rear Admiral Jose Ramon Rivera.
Airport Saturation and Expansion
The reduction in domestic flight operations is part of a broader strategy to address the saturation of AICM, which has been a major concern for airport authorities and airlines alike. By reducing the number of flights, the airport aims to reduce congestion and improve the overall travel experience for passengers. Meanwhile, airlines are expanding their operations at AIFA, which was inaugurated in March 2022 with the aim of alleviating the saturation of AICM.
Impact of Government Policies
The decline in passenger traffic at AICM is also attributed to government policies aimed at promoting the use of AIFA. According to Jonathan Félix, an aviation sector analyst at Verum, “there is no doubt that the policies implemented by the government have had an impact on the lower traffic at AICM.” The government’s efforts to promote AIFA as a viable alternative to AICM have led to a shift in passenger traffic, with many travelers opting for the newer airport.
Airport Use Fee and Financial Implications
The Benito Juárez airport is required to serve at least 40 million travelers per year to cover the Airport Use Fee (OLD) which is transferred to the trust in charge of paying the bonds that financed the construction of the Texcoco project. With the decline in passenger traffic, the airport faces significant financial implications, including the potential to fall short of its revenue targets.
AIFA: A Growing Alternative
AIFA, on the other hand, has seen significant growth since its inauguration, with 3.9 million users between January and August of this year. While the airport still cannot support more than 6 million passengers per year under current conditions, it is expected to play a increasingly important role in Mexico’s aviation sector.
Conclusion
The decline in passenger traffic at AICM is a complex issue with multiple factors at play. While the reduction in domestic flight operations is a significant contributor to the decline, government policies aimed at promoting AIFA and the expansion of airlines at the newer airport are also playing a role. As the aviation sector continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor the performance of both airports and assess the impact of government policies on the industry as a whole.
Keyword List:
Mexico City International Airport (AICM)
Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA)
Airport Use Fee (OLD)
Rear Admiral Jose Ramon Rivera
Government policies
Aviation sector
Passenger traffic
Flight reductions
Airport expansion
Summer vacations
* Travel industry
