Jazmin Li
Mexico has an extensive aviation network, with over 100 airports serving destinations worldwide. The busiest airport in Mexico is Mexico City International Airport (MEX), which is also one of the largest in Latin America. It is the main hub for Aeroméxico, Mexico's flagship carrier. However, it is not the only major airport in the country.
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What You'll Learn
Mexico City International Airport
The airport accommodates Mexican Airspace Navigation Services, the Mexican Federal Civil Aviation Agency, and an Air Force Base. It serves as the primary hub for Mexico's flagship carrier, Aeroméxico. The broader Mexico City Airport System, which includes Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) and Toluca International Airport (TLC), is one of the busiest city airport systems in Latin America.
The airport offers various services and facilities, including duty-free shopping, international dining options, luggage storage, VIP lounges, car rental agencies, and free Wi-Fi. It also provides essential information for travellers, such as hours of operation, parking availability, and access to ATMs.
Due to the airport's location in a densely populated area, infrastructure expansion has been limited. To address congestion and capacity issues, there have been plans to build a new airport or expand existing facilities. In 2025, an 8 billion MXN (approximately 460 million USD) renovation was launched, aiming to improve passenger experience and operational efficiency.
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Benito Juárez International Airport
The airport is named after the 19th-century president Benito Juárez. It is owned by the Mexican Navy and operated by Grupo Aeroportuario de la Ciudad de México. The airport grounds also include Air Force Base No. 19 (BAM 19), which serves as the home for the High Command Special Air Transport Unit (UETAAM). BAM 19 features an apron, several hangars, administrative buildings, and accommodations for Air Force personnel.
To alleviate the congestion at Benito Juárez International Airport, there have been plans to construct a new airport, the Nuevo Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México (NAICM). The proposed location was 20 kilometres northeast of Mexico City in Texcoco, and it was intended to have 6 runways with an annual capacity of 120 million passengers. However, construction began in 2015 and was cancelled after 3 years due to high costs and environmental concerns.
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Felipe Ángeles International Airport
The 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, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Mexico City. It was opened for civilian use in 2022, serving as the second airport for Greater Mexico City. The airport is named after General Felipe Ángeles Ramírez, a significant military figure in the Mexican Revolution from 1868 to 1919.
The airport's development arose from the need to address congestion at Mexico City International Airport, a persistent issue in Mexican politics since the early 2000s. The construction of Felipe Ángeles International Airport was not without controversy. Initially, there were plans to build a new airport, the Nuevo Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México (NAICM), in Texcoco. However, this proposal was met with opposition due to high costs and environmental concerns, leading to its cancellation. Instead, a referendum took place, and the results favoured the construction of the Santa Lucía project, which involved expanding the existing Santa Lucía Air Force Base into a civilian airport.
The Santa Lucía Air Force Base, originally established in 1952, featured a wide runway and served as a replacement for the Balbuena Military Air Field. The construction of Felipe Ángeles International Airport commenced in October 2019, following legal battles and the resolution of environmental and cultural study concerns. During the construction, the remains of at least 200 mammoths were discovered in the former Lake Xaltocan, but it was determined that they did not warrant a halt to the project. The airport's design was overseen by Mexican architect Francisco González Pulido and military general Gustavo Vallejo, with the first phase including two runways and a new terminal.
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Toluca International Airport
The development of Toluca Airport began in 1970, with its inauguration taking place in 1984. In the 1980s, the federal government implemented legislation to address congestion at Mexico City International Airport by redirecting general aviation operations to secondary airports like Toluca. As a result, Toluca Airport became the primary airport for managing general aviation traffic in the Mexico City airspace, and its importance increased significantly. Toluca Airport has been pivotal in the growth of low-cost carriers in Mexico, with Volaris and Interjet establishing the airport as their primary hub until 2007. The airport experienced a notable increase in passenger traffic from 145,000 in 2002 to 4,300,000 in 2008, leading to renovations and expansions.
Toluca Airport has faced challenges in attracting commercial flights due to its proximity to Mexico City International Airport, located less than 50 kilometres away. The recent inauguration of the Mexico City-Felipe Angeles Airport has further impacted Toluca's ability to attract commercial flights. As of 2024, the airport only serves domestic flights, with FedEx Express being the sole airline operating cargo flights to Memphis on a weekly basis. The primary transportation to and from Toluca Airport is by road, with car rental and taxi services available, although it lacks consistent public transport, private shuttles, and bus services.
Toluca Airport currently ranks as the fifth busiest airport in Mexico for both aircraft movements and cargo operations. It has played a crucial role in the aviation network of Mexico, particularly in serving the Greater Mexico City area and providing relief to the congested Mexico City International Airport.
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Cancún International Airport
The history of Cancún International Airport dates back to 1942 when the initial airport was established to support the region's primary industry at the time, the chewing gum industry. This early airport had a rudimentary runway and a control tower made from wood and reeds, remaining in operation until 1973. To commemorate its history, a replica stands near the city's entrance, close to its original location. In the early 1970s, the Mexican government, in collaboration with the National Tourism Development Fund, made substantial investments in infrastructure, including the construction of the new Cancún International Airport. The airport's first commercial flight took off on May 12, 1975, quickly attracting international tourists.
Over the years, the airport has undergone significant expansions to accommodate growing passenger numbers. In October 2009, a new runway and Latin America's tallest control tower at 97 meters were unveiled, doubling the airport's passenger handling capacity. Terminal 2 was added in 2014, and Terminal 3 was expanded by 76,000 square meters in 2016, introducing six new gates and additional commercial areas. In response to ongoing demand, Terminal 4 was inaugurated in October 2017, making Cancún Airport the first in Mexico with four terminals. Terminal 4 further increased the airport's capacity by 9 million passengers per year and serves both domestic and international flights.
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Frequently asked questions
Mexico City International Airport (MEX) is the country's busiest airport and one of the largest in Latin America.
The airport served 48,415,693 passengers in 2023 and 45,359,485 in 2024, with an average of 124,000 daily passengers. In 2020, it handled almost 22 million passengers.
The airport is also known as Aeropuerto Benito Juárez, named after the 19th-century president Benito Juárez.
Other major airports in Mexico include Cancún International Airport (the busiest in Latin America by international passenger traffic), Guadalajara Airport, Monterrey Airport, and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (which leads in cargo operations).
