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Felipe Ángeles International Airport (IATA: NLU, ICAO: MMSM), also known as Mexico City Felipe Ángeles International Airport or Mexico City-AIFA, is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Mexico City. The airport is named after General Felipe Ángeles, a significant figure in the Mexican Revolution. It is the second-largest airport in Mexico by area, covering 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres) and serving 6,348,091 passengers in 2024, making it the 8th busiest airport in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Felipe Ángeles International Airport |
| IATA | NLU |
| ICAO | MMSM |
| Location | Zumpango, State of Mexico |
| Distance from Mexico City | 35 kilometres (22 mi) or 1 hour's drive |
| Year opened for civilian use | 2022 |
| Owner | Mexican government |
| Operator | Department of National Defense (SEDENA) |
| Named after | General Felipe Ángeles |
| Area | 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres) |
| Elevation | 2,246 metres (7,369 ft) above mean sea level |
| Passenger capacity | 20 million annually |
| Passenger traffic in 2024 | 6,348,091 |
| Airlines | Viva, Aeroméxico Connect, Mexicana, AeroUnion, Mas Air, Awesome Cargo |
| Top routes | CUN (78 flights/week), GDL (78 flights/week), MTY (60 flights/week) |
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What You'll Learn
- NLU is an acronym for Felipe Ángeles International Airport
- The airport is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico
- It is approximately 35km north of Mexico City
- It is the second-largest airport in Mexico
- The airport is owned by the Mexican government and operated by the Department of National Defense (SEDENA)
NLU is an acronym for Felipe Ángeles International Airport
Felipe Ángeles International Airport is owned by the Mexican government and operated by the Department of National Defense (SEDENA). The airport is named after General Felipe Ángeles, a significant figure in the Mexican Revolution. It is the second-largest airport in Mexico by area, covering 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres) and sitting at an elevation of 2,246 metres (7,369 feet) above mean sea level. The airport has a capacity of 20 million passengers annually and can accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and 747.
The airport's development has been a topic of political discourse in Mexico, representing ideological clashes and embodying sociopolitical tensions. The transition to civilian use has been a response to congestion issues at Mexico City International Airport, which has faced limitations due to its location in a densely populated area. Felipe Ángeles International Airport is intended to address these challenges and meet the growing demands of air travel in the region.
The airport has seen a significant increase in passenger traffic, serving 6,348,091 passengers in 2024, a 140% increase from the previous year. It has become a popular option for travellers, offering a smooth and hassle-free experience with minimal traffic and easy access. The airport provides domestic and international flights and serves as a focus city for Viva and Aeroméxico Connect. It is also the main hub for Mexicana, a state-owned airline.
In addition to civilian operations, Felipe Ángeles International Airport accommodates the Mexican Air Force, general aviation, and charter flight services. It is set to become Mexico's largest air cargo hub, gaining prominence due to recent restrictions at the busier Mexico City International Airport. The airport currently serves as the primary hub for cargo airlines such as AeroUnion, Mas Air, and Awesome Cargo.
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The airport is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico
The Felipe Ángeles International Airport (IATA: NLU, ICAO: MMSM) is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico. It is also known as Mexico City Felipe Ángeles International Airport or Mexico City-AIFA, and is situated about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Mexico City. The airport is around an hour's drive from Mexico City, and it is the second airport for Greater Mexico City.
The airport is owned by the Mexican government and operated by the Department of National Defense (SEDENA). It is named after General Felipe Ángeles, a significant figure in the Mexican Revolution. The airport covers 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres), making it the second-largest airport in Mexico by area. It is situated at an elevation of 2,246 metres (7,369 feet) above mean sea level.
Felipe Ángeles International Airport opened for civilian use in 2022, although the Santa Lucía Air Force Base, on which it is located, was established in 1952. The base officially inaugurated its aerodrome in November 1952, and the complete transition of aircraft from Balbuena to Santa Lucía was achieved in 1959. The airport's development has become a focal point in Mexico's political discourse, representing ideological clashes and broader sociopolitical tensions.
The airport serves both domestic and international flights, with nine airlines flying to NLU from the United States. It is the main hub for the state-owned airline Mexicana and has become Mexico's largest air cargo hub. The passenger terminal is designed to handle 20 million passengers annually and can accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and 747. In 2024, the airport served 6,348,091 passengers, an increase of 140% from the previous year, making it the 8th busiest airport in the country.
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It is approximately 35km north of Mexico City
The Felipe Ángeles International Airport (IATA: NLU, ICAO: MMSM) is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, approximately 35km north of Mexico City. It is also known as Mexico City Felipe Ángeles International Airport or Mexico City-AIFA. The airport is about an hour's drive from Mexico City, and it serves as the second airport for Greater Mexico City.
The airport is named after General Felipe Ángeles, a significant figure in the Mexican Revolution. It is owned by the Mexican government and operated by the Department of National Defense (SEDENA). The airport covers 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres) and is situated at an elevation of 2,246 metres (7,369 ft) above mean sea level. With a capacity of 20 million passengers annually, it can accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and 747.
The development of the airport has been a politically charged topic in Mexico. It represents ideological clashes and embodies deeper sociopolitical conflicts. The airport's conversion from a military to a civilian facility was in response to congestion issues at Mexico City International Airport (MEX), located in a densely populated area with limited infrastructure expansion capabilities. The Mexican Air Force continues to use NLU alongside civilian operations, charter flight services, and air cargo operations.
NLU airport has been described as clean and spacious, with ample parking and amenities. However, it has faced criticism for its distance from Mexico City and the lack of convenient transportation options. Ubers are not allowed to pick up at the airport, and taxis can be expensive. There is a bus service to the city, but it can be challenging to find information about it, and buses may not run late at night. Despite these drawbacks, NLU has been praised for its efficiency and the availability of flights to various destinations.
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It is the second-largest airport in Mexico
NLU is the airport code for Felipe Ángeles International Airport, also known as Mexico City Felipe Ángeles International Airport or Mexico City-AIFA. It is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Mexico City. The airport is named after General Felipe Ángeles, a significant figure in the Mexican Revolution.
Felipe Ángeles International Airport is the second-largest airport in Mexico by area, covering 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres). Cancún International Airport is the largest. In 2024, the airport served 6,348,091 passengers, a 140% increase from the previous year, making it the eighth busiest airport in the country. The airport has the capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually and can accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and 747.
The airport was originally named Santa Lucía Air Force Base when it was established in 1952 to relocate the Balbuena Military Air Field. The complete transition of aircraft from Balbuena to Santa Lucía occurred in 1959. The original aerodrome featured a runway measuring 3,780 metres (12,400 feet) in length and 75 metres (246 feet) in width, the widest paved runway in Mexico at the time.
Felipe Ángeles International Airport opened for civilian use in 2022, serving as the second airport for Greater Mexico City. The conversion of the airport for civilian use was in response to congestion challenges at Mexico City International Airport, an ongoing issue in Mexican politics since the early 2000s. The airport is owned by the Mexican government and operated by the Department of National Defense (SEDENA).
In addition to civilian operations, the airport continues to accommodate the Mexican Air Force, general aviation, and charter flight services. It is also set to become Mexico's largest air cargo hub, with cargo airlines AeroUnion, Mas Air, and Awesome Cargo already operating from the airport.
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The airport is owned by the Mexican government and operated by the Department of National Defense (SEDENA)
The Felipe Ángeles International Airport (IATA: NLU, ICAO: MMSM) is owned by the Mexican government and operated by the Department of National Defense (SEDENA). The airport is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Mexico City. It serves as the second airport for Greater Mexico City and is named after General Felipe Ángeles, a significant figure in the Mexican Revolution.
The airport covers 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres), making it the second-largest airport in Mexico by area after Cancún International Airport. It has a capacity of 20 million passengers annually and can accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and 747. The airport served 6,348,091 passengers in 2024, a 140% increase from the previous year, becoming the 8th busiest in the country.
Felipe Ángeles International Airport was originally named Santa Lucía Air Force Base, which was established in 1952 to relocate the Balbuena Military Air Field. The complete transition of aircraft from Balbuena to Santa Lucía occurred in 1959. The airport opened for civilian use in 2022, accommodating domestic and international flights. It is the main hub for Mexicana, a state-owned airline.
The airport's development has become a highly politicized topic in Mexico, with ideological clashes and sociopolitical tensions surrounding its construction and operation. The military's involvement in the project has sparked debates about the implications for democratic governance. Additionally, there have been concerns about the airport's accessibility, with challenges in resolving transportation logistics. However, the airport is praised for its cleanliness and lack of congestion, providing a smooth experience for passengers.
The airport is set to become Mexico's largest air cargo hub, gaining prominence due to restrictions at the busier Mexico City International Airport. It already serves as the primary hub for cargo airlines such as AeroUnion, Mas Air, and Awesome Cargo.
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Frequently asked questions
NLU stands for Felipe Ángeles International Airport, also known as Mexico City Felipe Ángeles International Airport or Mexico City-AIFA.
The airport is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Mexico City.
The airport is a little under an hour's drive from Mexico City.
You can take a taxi or a van to the airport from Mexico City. There are also buses available, but they do not run late at night.
