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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, ranking 49th busiest in the world in 2025 based on passenger traffic. The airport is served by more than 25 airlines, offering direct flights to over 100 destinations worldwide. Benito Juárez International Airport is named after the 19th-century president and is located in the eastern part of the city. It is one of two airports serving Mexico City, the other being Felipe Ángeles International Airport, which opened in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mexico City International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México, AICM) |
| Official Name | Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez (Benito Juárez International Airport) |
| IATA Code | MEX |
| ICAO Code | MMMX |
| Airlines | Aeroméxico, Volaris, Viva, Magnicharters, and more |
| Destinations | Over 100 across Mexico, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia |
| Terminals | 2 |
| Runways | 2 |
| Passenger Traffic Ranking | 49th-busiest in the world, 3rd-busiest in Latin America, 15th-busiest in North America |
| Passenger Traffic (2023) | 48,415,693 |
| Passenger Traffic (2024) | 45,359,485 |
| Daily Passenger Average | 124,000 |
| Daily Aircraft Movements Average | 1,056 |
| Location | Peñón de los Baños, Venustiano Carranza, Mexico City |
| Distance from Downtown Mexico City | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Facilities | Shops, Duty-Free stores, Restaurants, Cafés, Bars, Medical Care, Currency Exchange, ATMs, Shoe Shine |
| Transportation | Bus, Shuttle, Metrobus, Taxi, Metro, Car Rental |
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What You'll Learn
The airport's history and expansion
Mexico City International Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez (Benito Juárez International Airport), is the primary international airport serving Greater Mexico City. It is the busiest airport in Mexico, ranking as the 49th busiest airport in the world, the third busiest in Latin America, and the 15th busiest in North America as of 2025. The airport is served by more than 25 airlines, offering flights to over 100 destinations across the world.
The airport's history can be traced back to 1910, when the original site, Llanos de Balbuena, was first utilized for aeronautical activities. Alberto Braniff became the first person to fly an airplane in Mexico and Latin America. From 1949 to 1951, the airport underwent a significant expansion, which included the construction of a new runway, an apron, a control tower, and administration offices. On November 19, 1952, President Miguel Alemán inaugurated a renovated passenger terminal. By 1956, the airport operated with four runways, including electric lights for night-time service.
In the 1970s, the airport underwent further changes, with the two shortest runways being closed to make way for a social housing complex. This led to the current configuration of two parallel runways. The terminal has been expanded multiple times to accommodate growing demand, with significant expansions in 1980 and 1990, and the addition of a new International section in 1994.
In 2003, the federal government announced an extension to the existing terminal, increasing its annual capacity from 20 million to 32 million passengers. This expansion included new check-in areas, commercial spaces, and a new departures concourse. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, there were also initiatives to establish nearby airports as supplementary options for serving the Mexico City area.
In recent years, there have been further developments and expansions. In 2022, an extension of Terminal 2, named Pier L, added seven gates to reduce the reliance on buses. In 2023, the Mexican government relocated all cargo aircraft landing at Mexico City to Felipe Ángeles Airport to improve safety. Additionally, in 2025, a renovation project worth 8 billion MXN (approximately 460 million USD) was launched, aiming to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency, with completion expected by mid-2026.
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Terminals, gates and runways
Mexico City International Airport, officially known as Benito Juárez International Airport, is the primary international airport serving Greater Mexico City. It is the busiest airport in Mexico, ranking as the 49th-busiest in the world, third-busiest in Latin America, and 15th-busiest in North America as of 2025. The airport is served by more than 25 airlines, connecting Mexico City to over 100 destinations across the globe.
The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are located on opposite sides of the runways. Terminal 1 has been operational since 1958 and has undergone several expansions and upgrades over the years, with a total surface area of 542,000 square metres. It is a two-story building, with international services located in the east section and domestic services in the west. The ground floor accommodates arrival facilities, including 22 baggage claim carousels and domestic check-in areas, as well as a commercial corridor with snack kiosks, banks, souvenir shops, and car rental services. The upper floor features international check-in areas, food courts, restaurants, security checkpoints, and a 900-metre-long departures concourse with gates 1 to 28. Gates 1 to 18 primarily serve domestic flights, while gates 19 to 36 cater to international routes. Terminal 1 also offers VIP lounges and hotel services, including Camino Real, Hilton, and Courtyard Mexico City Airport.
Terminal 2 was inaugurated in 2007 and officially opened in March 2008, expanding the airport's capacity and increasing the number of gates by 40%. It is recommended that passengers arrive early at both terminals to allow sufficient time for security checks and reaching their gates. Terminal 2 features two security checkpoints, one on the ground floor near the entrance and the other on the upper level near the gates. The passport control for Terminal 2 is located on the ground floor near the baggage claim area, while in Terminal 1, it is on the upper level near the gates. Terminal 2 also offers fast-track lanes for expedited security screening, available for an additional fee.
The airport's runways run southwest-northeast and contribute to overflying issues and noise pollution during landings with a northeast wind. In 2025, a significant renovation project was launched, aiming to improve passenger experience, operational efficiency, and support Mexico's role as a host for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Airlines and destinations
Mexico City International Airport, officially known as the Benito Juárez International Airport, is the primary international airport serving Greater Mexico City. It is the busiest airport in Mexico, ranking 49th busiest in the world, third busiest in Latin America, and 15th busiest in North America as of 2025. The airport is served by more than 25 airlines, with flights to over 100 destinations across Mexico, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
The airport is the primary hub for Mexico's flag carrier, Aeroméxico, which serves the largest number of cities from any Latin American hub (80), with 46 domestic and 34 international destinations. It operates the most departures from the airport, followed by Volaris and VivaAerobus. The most prominent foreign airlines are United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Avianca Holdings. Several carriers, such as Sunwing Airlines, also utilise the airport for chartered flights.
The airport has two terminals, with gates 1 to 18 primarily serving domestic flights and gates 19 to 36 catering to international routes. Terminal 1 features various VIP lounges, including those operated by major airlines such as American Airlines, Air France-KLM, Iberia-British Airways, and United Airlines. Terminal 1 also offers hotel services, including the Camino Real, Hilton, and Courtyard Mexico City Airport.
The top international destinations from the airport are Houston (IAH) and Los Angeles (LAX). The two longest flights from the airport are to Tokyo (NRT), with a flight time of approximately 15 hours, and Rome (FCO), taking around 12 hours.
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Transport to and from the airport
Mexico City International Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez (Benito Juárez International Airport), is the primary international airport serving Greater Mexico City. It is the busiest airport in Mexico, ranking as the 49th busiest in the world as of 2025. The airport is located in the neighbourhood of Peñón de los Baños within Venustiano Carranza, one of sixteen boroughs of Mexico City, situated 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) east of Downtown Mexico City.
By taxi
Mexico City Airport taxis are available 24/7 outside Terminals 1 and 2. They are a convenient and reasonably priced way to reach the city centre, costing around $13-15 USD each way. The official airport taxis are easily recognisable, featuring red and gold or pink and white markings. The journey time is approximately 20 minutes. You can purchase your taxi ticket at the "Transporte Terrestre" kiosk and then present the ticket to the driver.
By Uber
Uber is another option for travelling to and from the airport. Simply install the app on your smartphone, choose your pickup and drop-off destinations, and prepay for the service using your credit or debit card. Uber is typically more affordable than airport taxis, and Uber XL can be a good option for larger groups or those with more luggage.
By bus
Taking the bus from Mexico City Airport to the city centre is easy and cost-effective. The Line 4 Metrobus leaves every 15 minutes outside Terminals 1 and 2 from around 4:30 am until midnight, with a journey time of approximately 30 minutes. Metrobus smartcards can be purchased for around $1.50 USD per person one-way. There is also a long-distance bus option for those travelling to Cordoba, Puebla, Toluca, and Tlaxcala.
By metro
The Metro Line 5 will take you into Mexico City from the airport's Terminal Aérea Station, located a short walk from Terminal 1. This is a cheap way to travel, with tickets costing less than 50 cents per single 50-minute journey. However, it is important to note that the metro station is not located inside the airport, and you may need to change lines to reach your destination.
By car
If you prefer to drive, renting a car is an option. As you exit the airport, follow Route 1 until you reach Parque Aguascalientes, where you join Route 3. Then take the first right onto Héroe de Nacozari and follow this road to República de Venezuela, which will bring you to the historic centre of Mexico City. Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, and Alamo all operate out of the airport for car rentals.
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Nearby hotels
Mexico City International Airport, officially known as Benito Juárez International Airport, is the primary international airport serving Greater Mexico City. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, with an average of 124,000 daily passengers. The airport is located in the neighbourhood of Peñón de los Baños within Venustiano Carranza, one of sixteen boroughs of Mexico City.
There are plenty of hotels near Mexico City International Airport, which cater to stranded passengers or those with a short layover. Here are some options for nearby hotels:
- Courtyard Mexico City Airport, located next to the airport, offers a gym and 24-hour reception.
- Hilton Mexico City Airport is situated within Benito Juárez International Airport.
- NH Collection Mexico City Airport T2 is located near the airport.
- Hotel MX Congreso is a nearby hotel option.
- Hotel Villa del Mar offers accommodation in Mexico City, near Tenochtitlan Ceremonial Center and Downtown Mexico City. It provides free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk.
- WeEnjoy Hotels Grand Prix Aeropuerto CDMX is located next to Palacio de los Deportes and is a 15-minute walk from the Hermanos Rodriguez NASCAR Racetrack.
- Casita del Árbol is located 4 miles from Tenochtitlan Ceremonial Center and 4.1 miles from the National Palace. There is a shopping mall within walking distance.
- Cómodo Departamento Privado Aeropuerto is a 2-block walk from the airport and offers comfortable accommodations.
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Frequently asked questions
Mexico City International Airport, officially known as Benito Juárez International Airport, is the main airport serving Greater Mexico City.
Mexico City International Airport is the busiest airport in Mexico, ranking 49th busiest in the world, 3rd busiest in Latin America, and 15th busiest in North America as of 2025. It served 48,415,693 passengers in 2023 and 45,359,485 in 2024.
Felipe Ángeles International Airport is Mexico City's secondary airport, located 51km from the city. Toluca International Airport is another airport in the Mexico City airport system.
