Airports In Mexico City: A Comprehensive Guide

Mexico City is a major hub for domestic and international travel, connecting millions of passengers to destinations worldwide. The city currently has two international airports: Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA). Both airports serve international flights, though Benito Juárez remains the primary hub for most international travel.

Airports in Mexico City

Benito Juárez International Airport

Mexico City is served by two airports: Benito Juárez International Airport and Felipe Ángeles International Airport. Benito Juárez International Airport (IATA: MEX, ICAO: MMMX) is the primary airport in Mexico City and one of the busiest in Latin America, handling millions of passengers each year. The airport is located just a few kilometres from the city centre and offers a wide variety of international and domestic flights. Benito Juárez International Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are connected by an internal train system. Most international flights operate from Terminal 1, while some domestic airlines use Terminal 2. The airport offers many services, including duty-free shopping, international dining options, luggage storage facilities, VIP lounges, rental car agencies, and free Wi-Fi.

The airport is a major hub for international travel, serving as the main gateway to Mexico City for travellers from around the world. It offers flights to destinations across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, connecting Mexico City to the rest of the globe. The airport's central location and large capacity make it the primary choice for most international travellers.

As Mexico City has grown in popularity as a tourist and business destination, the demand for air travel has increased. To manage the growing number of passengers and relieve congestion at Benito Juárez International Airport, a second airport, Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), was inaugurated in 2022. AIFA is located about 45 kilometres north of Mexico City and provides additional capacity and services to meet the rising demand for air travel in the region.

Felipe Ángeles International Airport

Mexico City is served by several airports, including Mexico City Airport (MEX), officially known as Benito Juarez International Airport. Another key airport in the region is Felipe Ángeles International Airport, located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, around 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Mexico City.

The airport's terminal area covers a vast area of 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres), making it the second-largest airport in Mexico by area. The passenger terminal caters to both domestic and international flights, and it serves as a focus city for Viva and Aeroméxico Connect. Additionally, it is the main hub for Mexicana, a state-owned airline. The airport also accommodates the Mexican Air Force, general aviation, and charter flight services.

Toluca Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos International Airport

The airport handles both national and international air traffic for the metropolitan area of Toluca and serves as a secondary airport for Greater Mexico City, alongside Felipe Angeles Airport. It is ranked as the fifth busiest airport in Mexico for both aircraft movements and cargo operations.

Toluca International Airport has experienced fluctuations in passenger traffic over the years. Between 2002 and 2008, the airport saw a significant increase in passenger numbers, growing from 145,000 to 4,300,000. This led to renovations and expansions to accommodate the increased demand. However, following the relocation of key airlines such as Volaris and Interjet, the airport witnessed a consistent decline in passenger traffic, dropping to 134,305 by 2021.

As a result of the decreased passenger traffic, Toluca Airport consolidated its operations, reducing the number of terminals from four to two, with all activities now centralised at the Domestic Terminal. Currently, the airport serves as the largest metropolitan area in Mexico without any international flight services.

The primary transportation to and from the airport is by road, with car rental and taxi services available. However, it lacks consistent public transport, private shuttles, and bus services.

Puebla Hermanos Serdán International Airport

Mexico City is served by several airports, including the Mexico City Airport (MEX), officially known as Benito Juarez International Airport. Another airport near Mexico City is the Puebla Hermanos Serdán International Airport, located in Huejotzingo, Puebla, Mexico. This airport is officially known as the Aeropuerto Internacional Hermanos Serdán (PBC/MMPB) and is named after Aquiles Serdán, Máximo Serdán, and María del Carmen Serdán, known as the Serdán siblings, who were leaders of the anti-reelection movement during the Mexican Revolution.

The airport first commenced operations in 1985, with its inaugural flight arriving from Guadalajara and operated by Mexicana de Aviación. In 1993, Puebla Air Lines began connecting Puebla to major destinations within Mexico but ceased operations in 1995 due to the Mexican peso crisis. In 1996, the airport transitioned from a domestic airport to an international one, assuming the name "Hermanos Serdán" International Airport. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, political initiatives aimed to position this airport, along with those in Toluca, Cuernavaca, and Querétaro, as supplementary options to Mexico City Airport.

Querétaro International Airport

The airport offers passenger flights to various destinations within Mexico and international services to the United States. It serves as the main hub for the regional airline TAR Aerolíneas. Several other airlines operate from the airport, including Aeromexico, Viva Aerobus, Volaris, and American Airlines.

The construction of Querétaro International Airport began in 2002, and it commenced operations in 2004. In 2006, a dedicated Air Cargo Terminal was constructed, enhancing its cargo capabilities. The airport has continued to expand and attract new airlines, solidifying its position as a significant aviation hub in Mexico.

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