Mexico City Airport: Is It Safe To Fly In?

Mexico City Airport, officially named Benito Juárez International Airport, has been the subject of various safety concerns. While some travellers have reported feeling safe inside the airport, others have highlighted issues with airport infrastructure, navigation, and transportation to and from the airport. In addition, there have been reports of scams and counterfeit money being dispensed from airport ATMs. In recent years, pilots and airlines have raised concerns about the management of Mexico City's airspace, particularly following the opening of a second airport, Felipe Ángeles International Airport, which has resulted in an increase in potentially dangerous incidents.

Navigational issues due to GNSS signal loss

Mexico City Airport, or Benito Juarez International Airport, has been the subject of safety concerns in recent years. The opening of a second airport in the city, Felipe Ángeles International Airport, has led to an increase in potentially dangerous incidents. This includes at least 17 incidents of ground proximity warning system alerts for planes approaching Benito Juarez in a single year.

Mexico City Airport is surrounded by high terrain, and only one of its two runways has ILS (Instrument Landing System) approaches available. The other runway relies entirely on RNP (Required Navigation Performance) approaches, which narrow to just 0.3 nautical miles in the final approach segment.

GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signal loss in the terminal area can lead to navigational errors and system failures. GNSS interference is not a new issue, but the high altitude operations and terrain around Mexico City Airport compound the problem. The majority of procedures at the airport are RNAV (Area Navigation) based, which relies on GNSS.

If GNSS signal is lost, pilots must fly alternative procedures, such as radar vectors or the MEX VOR. Without GNSS, only one runway can be used, as the other is RNP-dependent. A loss of GNSS can also affect other safety-critical systems, and crews may lose GNSS navigation functions, including direct-to capabilities. In some cases, aircraft may revert to ground-based and inertial navigation, and the nav display may provide inaccurate information, such as map shift.

To mitigate GNSS signal loss, pilots should pay extra attention to monitoring GNSS performance during operations. A sterile cockpit is also important, as distractions can mask symptoms of an interrupted signal.

Safety concerns regarding airport management

Mexico City Airport, officially named Benito Juarez International Airport, has been the subject of various safety concerns over the years, with some travellers even suggesting avoiding it altogether. However, others have also stated that it is as safe as any other airport. Here is a detailed overview of the safety concerns regarding airport management at Mexico City Airport.

Overcrowding and Inefficiency

One of the most prominent issues at Mexico City Airport is overcrowding due to the high volume of flights and passengers. This has resulted in long queues, particularly for domestic departures, and has been described as "over-saturated" and "well below the standards of any airport in Latin America". The airport reportedly lacks sufficient gates to accommodate all arriving planes, often requiring passengers to be transported from the plane to the terminal by bus. This can be inconvenient, especially for those with short connection times to another flight. Additionally, there have been reports of insufficient immigration agents to handle the volume of passengers, leading to lengthy delays in clearing immigration.

Airspace Management

In 2022, pilots and airlines raised serious concerns about the management of Mexico City's airspace following the opening of a second airport, Felipe Ángeles International Airport. There was an increase in potentially dangerous incidents, including ground proximity warning system alerts, where planes received alerts of potential collisions. These incidents were attributed to the redesign of the airspace to accommodate the new airport. The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations issued a safety bulletin highlighting these issues and calling for improvements in airspace management.

GNSS Interference

More recently, in 2023, reports emerged of issues with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal loss in the terminal area of Mexico City Airport. This interference can lead to navigational errors and system failures, affecting critical safety systems. The airport's high altitude and surrounding terrain further compound the challenges posed by GNSS interference. Despite the severity of the issue, the Mexican navigation authorities have not addressed it publicly.

Transportation and Surrounding Area

While the airport itself is generally considered safe, with police presence and video surveillance, travellers have expressed concerns about the area outside the airport. There have been reports of groups of people loitering outside, potentially posing a risk to arriving passengers. Additionally, travellers are advised to be cautious when using taxis and to opt for airport-recommended or ride-sharing services.

Transport to and from the airport

Mexico City Airport, officially known as Benito Juarez International Airport, has been the subject of safety concerns due to the management of the city's airspace. In 2022, pilots and airlines reported an increase in potentially dangerous incidents, including ground proximity warning system alerts, since the airspace was redesigned to accommodate a second airport.

When it comes to transport to and from the airport, there are several options available:

Taxi

Official airport taxis are available 24 hours a day outside Terminals 1 and 2. These are a convenient and reasonably priced option, with fares fixed by zones and approved by the airport authority and CDMX government. The journey to the city centre takes around 20 minutes and costs around $13-15 USD each way. It is recommended to purchase your taxi ticket at the "Transporte Terrestre" kiosk before presenting it to the driver. The official airport taxis are easily identifiable by their red and gold or pink and white markings. It is generally advised to avoid unlicensed taxis.

Uber

Uber is authorized for pickup and delivery at Mexico City Airport and can be a safe, affordable, and convenient option. The Uber app allows you to choose your vehicle type, select your pickup and drop-off locations, and prepay for the service. However, there are mixed reports about whether Uber is allowed to pick up at the airport, so it is recommended to check the latest information before relying on this option.

Public Transportation

Taking the bus or metro is a cost-effective way to travel to and from the airport. The Line 4 Metrobus, located outside Terminals 1 and 2, operates from around 4:30 am every 15 minutes until midnight, with a 30-minute journey time to the city centre. Metro Line 5 connects the airport's Terminal Aérea Station, located near Terminal 1, to the city centre in a 50-minute journey. Tickets for the metro cost less than 50 cents per single journey, and Metrobus smartcards can be purchased for around $1.50 USD per person one-way.

Car Rental

If you prefer to drive yourself, car rental services such as Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, and Alamo are available at the airport. Exiting the airport, follow Route 1 until you reach Parque Aguascalientes, then turn left onto Route 3 and take the first right onto Héroe de Nacozari. From there, follow the road to República de Venezuela, which will bring you to the historic centre of Mexico City.

Hotel Transfers

Some hotels offer airport pickup services, so it is worth checking with your accommodation if this is an option.

Immigration and customs procedures

Mexico City Airport, or MEX, is not a well-regarded airport. It is divided into Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with the latter mostly dedicated to Aeromexico flights. The airport has a reputation for being difficult to navigate, with public transportation being particularly challenging for those unfamiliar with the system. The airport guidelines state that if you are simply passing through Mexico from one country to another, you do not need to claim your luggage. However, if you are flying from the US and boarding a connecting flight, you will need to collect your luggage and proceed through customs in Mexico City. It is recommended that you allow for at least two hours between flights if you need to change terminals.

When entering Mexico, you must have a valid passport book. US passport cards are not accepted, and admission may be denied if this is the only form of identification presented. Mexican immigration authorities will determine the length of your authorised stay and either stamp your passport or direct you through a self-service electronic gate (E-gate) that generates a printed receipt with a QR code. This is known as a Forma Migratoria Multiple Digital or FMMD. You can download a record of your FMMD from the National Migration Institute's (INM) website.

If you are a tourist, you may be granted entry for up to 180 days without a visa, but this is at the discretion of the INM, and shorter periods may be authorised. You should always check the length of authorised stay written on your entry permit or passport stamp. You may be asked to present your passport and entry permit at any time, and failure to do so may result in detention while your immigration status is reviewed.

If you lose your visitor's permit, you must go to a local immigration office to apply for a replacement. This will incur a fee of approximately US$40. If you lose your stamped passport, you must also visit the local immigration office for guidance. If you update your passport during your stay in Mexico, you must present the previous cancelled passport with the stamp, or visit the immigration office.

Foreign residents with a Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente card must present their passport and resident card to the Immigration Officer when exiting or re-entering the country. If you have lost or damaged your residency card, you must apply for a replacement. While some airports no longer issue exit stamps to holders of residency cards, Mexico City airport does continue this practice.

When bringing goods beyond your personal effects, you must declare these with Mexican customs (SAT) if they are worth $300 or more when travelling by land, or $500 or more when travelling by air. If you are bringing a US-registered vehicle into Mexico, you will need a temporary vehicle import permit, which requires a deposit that will be refunded when the vehicle leaves the country. Mexican authorities can impound vehicles that do not have a valid US registration or are found without the necessary import permit.

It is important to be cautious when purchasing medication in Mexico, as counterfeit medication is common and can be dangerous. It is recommended to only buy medication from reputable establishments and in consultation with a medical professional.

Airport security and personal safety

Mexico City Airport, officially named Benito Juarez International Airport, is considered one of the safest places in the city. The airport has police and video surveillance in all gates and common areas, and many travellers have reported feeling safe inside the airport. However, some travellers have also reported issues with airport scams, such as receiving counterfeit money from airport ATMs. Travellers should be cautious and remain vigilant against potential scams and pickpocketing.

The airport has been criticised for its inefficiency, with reports of long queues, insufficient gates to receive planes, and a lack of immigration agents to review passports. These issues can cause significant delays and may impact your ability to make tight flight connections. It is recommended to allow for at least three hours when transferring flights in Mexico City.

In recent years, there have been safety concerns regarding the management of Mexico City's airspace. Pilots and airlines have reported an increase in potentially dangerous incidents since the opening of a second airport, Felipe Ángeles International Airport, north of Mexico City. These incidents include ground proximity warning system alerts and planes being forced to circle or divert to other airports due to unexpected delays. As a result, several aviation organisations have issued safety bulletins calling for improvements in air traffic management and addressing the potential risks associated with the loss of GNSS signal in the terminal area.

When arriving at or departing from Mexico City Airport, it is advisable to use a reputable taxi service or ride-sharing app, such as Uber. Taxis in Mexico City can be dangerous, so it is recommended to ask your hotel or accommodation for a trusted taxi service or transportation recommendations.

Frequently asked questions