Mexico City Airport: A Sprawling Transportation Hub

Mexico City International Airport is the busiest airport in Mexico and Latin America, and the 17th busiest in the world. It is served by more than 25 airlines, handling flights to over 100 destinations across Mexico, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The airport is set to be replaced by a new international airport, which will be one of the world's largest airports at 743,000 square metres.

The new Mexico City International Airport will be one of the world's largest airports at 743,000 square metres

Mexico City International Airport is currently the busiest airport in Mexico and Latin America, ranking as the 17th busiest in the world and eighth in North America as of 2022, based on passenger traffic and aircraft movements. It 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.

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. President Peña Nieto's administration then introduced the Texcoco Airport project, which aimed to replace the ageing Mexico City International Airport by 2023, featuring a state-of-the-art terminal of 560,000 square metres (6,000,000 sq ft) and six runways. However, President López Obrador campaigned against Texcoco Airport, and upon assuming the presidency, his administration initiated a controversial referendum to gauge public opinion on completing Texcoco Airport or proceeding with the Santa Lucía expansion.

The airport will have six runways

Mexico City International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving over 132,000 passengers daily. It is the primary international airport serving Greater Mexico City and is the busiest airport in Mexico and Latin America. The airport is served by more than 25 airlines, handling flights to over 100 destinations across Mexico, the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

The airport is set to undergo a major expansion, with plans to add three additional runways to the existing three, bringing the total number of runways to six. This expansion is part of a long-term development plan that aims to accommodate the predicted increase in passenger numbers and establish the airport as one of the world's largest.

The new runways will significantly enhance the airport's capacity, enabling it to handle a higher volume of aircraft movements and contributing to more efficient operations. With six runways, the airport will be able to facilitate simultaneous take-offs and landings, reducing potential delays and improving overall flight management.

The expansion project also includes the construction of a state-of-the-art terminal, which will cover an impressive 560,000 square metres (6,000,000 square feet). This new terminal will be designed with a focus on functionality and aesthetics, featuring a lightweight gridshell that seamlessly integrates the walls and roof. The layout will prioritise short walking distances and minimise level changes, ensuring easy navigation for passengers without the need for internal trains or tunnels.

The addition of the six runways is a strategic move to future-proof the airport, ensuring it can meet the growing demands of air travel in the region. By investing in this infrastructure, Mexico City International Airport solidifies its position as a major aviation hub, catering to the needs of both domestic and international travellers well into the future.

It is the busiest airport in Mexico and Latin America

Mexico City International Airport is the busiest airport in Mexico and Latin America, ranking as the 17th-busiest in the world and eighth in North America as of 2022, based on passenger traffic and aircraft movements. 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.

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. This led to the Texcoco Airport project, which aimed to replace the ageing Mexico City International Airport by 2023. The new airport would have featured a state-of-the-art terminal of 560,000 square metres (6,000,000 sq ft) and six runways. However, President López Obrador campaigned against the project, leading to a controversial referendum on whether to complete Texcoco Airport or proceed with the Santa Lucía expansion.

Mexico City's new international airport, designed by Foster + Partners, FR-EE and NACO, will be one of the world's largest airports at 743,000 square metres. The design, which is flexible in operation, anticipates the predicted increase in passenger numbers to 2028 and beyond. It will become the biggest airport in the Western Hemisphere.

It is served by more than 25 airlines, flying to over 100 destinations

Mexico City International Airport is the primary international airport serving Greater Mexico City. It is the busiest airport in Mexico and Latin America, ranking as the 17th-busiest in the world and eighth in North America as of 2022, based on passenger traffic and aircraft movements.

The airport is served by more than 25 airlines, flying 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.

The airport's size and capacity have been a source of political debate in Mexico. 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. This led to the proposal of the Texcoco Airport project, which aimed to replace the ageing Mexico City International Airport by 2023 with a state-of-the-art terminal of 560,000 square metres (6,000,000 sq ft) and six runways. However, the project faced opposition from President López Obrador, who campaigned against it and initiated a controversial referendum to gauge public opinion on completing Texcoco Airport or proceeding with the Santa Lucía expansion.

Despite these challenges, Mexico City's airport continues to expand and develop. The airport is planned to have three runways, with an expansion plan up to 2062 that includes an eventual six runways. Additionally, a new international airport designed by Foster + Partners, FR-EE and NACO is set to become one of the world's largest airports at 743,000 square metres. This new airport will revolutionise airport design with its lightweight gridshell structure and easy navigation for passengers.

The airport handled 48,415,693 passengers in 2023

Mexico City International Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez, is the primary international airport serving Greater Mexico City. It is the busiest airport in Mexico and Latin America, and the 17th busiest in the world. In 2022, the airport handled 46,200,529 passengers, and this number increased to 48,415,693 in 2023.

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, it functions as a SkyTeam hub and the primary hub for Mexico's flag carrier, Aeroméxico.

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. This led to the Texcoco Airport project, which aimed to replace the ageing Mexico City International Airport by 2023 with a state-of-the-art terminal of 560,000 square metres (6,000,000 sq ft) and six runways. However, President López Obrador campaigned against this project, opting instead for the Santa Lucía expansion.

The new airport, designed by Foster + Partners, FR-EE and NACO, will be one of the world's largest airports at 743,000 square metres. It will feature a continuous lightweight gridshell design, embracing walls and roof in a single, flowing form, evocative of flight. The airport will be easy to navigate, with short walking distances and few level changes, and its flexible design anticipates the predicted increase in passenger numbers beyond 2028.

Frequently asked questions