Roberta Aguirre
Felipe Ángeles International Airport (IATA: NLU, ICAO: MMSM), also known as Mexico City Felipe Ángeles International Airport or Mexico City-AIFA, is an international airport located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, 35 kilometres (22 mi) or around 45 kilometres 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 by area in Mexico, covering 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres). The airport is owned by the Mexican government and operated by the Department of National Defense (SEDENA).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Felipe Ángeles International Airport |
| Alternative Names | Mexico City Felipe Ángeles International Airport, Mexico City-AIFA, Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Ángeles (AIFA) |
| Airport Code | NLU |
| Location | Zumpango, State of Mexico |
| Distance from Mexico City | 35 kilometres (22 miles), 45 kilometres, 50 kilometres (30 miles) |
| Time from Mexico City | Under an hour |
| Elevation | 2,246 metres (7,369 feet) above mean sea level |
| Size | 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres), second-largest airport by area in Mexico |
| Owner | Mexican government |
| Operator | Department of National Defense (SEDENA) |
| Named After | General Felipe Ángeles, a significant figure in the Mexican Revolution |
| Served | 6,348,091 passengers in 2024, 8th busiest airport in Mexico |
| Functions | Domestic and international flights, cargo hub, military use, general aviation, charter flight services |
| Hotels | Holiday Inn & Suites |
| Food Options | El Fogoncito |
| Transport Options | Private car, private minibus, Uber, Didi, bus, taxi |
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What You'll Learn
NLU is an alternative airport in Mexico City
NLU, or Felipe Ángeles International Airport, is an alternative airport in Mexico City. It is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Mexico City. The airport is about 45 kilometres from Mexico City, and it takes about an hour to drive there from the city.
Felipe Ángeles International Airport was inaugurated on 21 March 2022 and is named after General Felipe Ángeles, a significant figure in the Mexican Revolution. The airport covers 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres) and is situated at an elevation of 2,246 metres (7,369 feet) above mean sea level. It is owned by the Mexican government and operated by the Department of National Defense (SEDENA). The airport served 6,348,091 passengers in 2024, a 140% increase from the previous year, making it the 8th busiest airport in the country.
The airport has a passenger terminal that facilitates domestic and international flights and functions as a focus city for Viva and Aeroméxico Connect. It is the main hub for Mexicana, a state-owned airline. In addition to civilian operations, the airport accommodates the Mexican Air Force, general aviation, and charter flight services. The airport is also set to become Mexico's largest air cargo hub.
There are 51 destinations that can be reached from Felipe Ángeles International Airport with 8 airlines in scheduled passenger traffic. The route with the most departures is the route to Cancun (CUN), with an average of 61 flights every week. The longest flight is between Mexico City (NLU) and Caracas (CCS) and takes around 5 hours. VivaAerobus is the largest airline at the airport, with around 309 scheduled take-offs every week.
The airport has been the subject of some criticism due to its distance from Mexico City and the difficulty of transportation to and from the airport. It has been noted that there are limited options for transportation to and from the airport, with only buses and taxis available, and that the taxi fares can be extremely expensive due to a monopoly. However, one traveller noted that they were "super impressed" with the airport and would "100% fly out of this airport again".
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It is officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Ángeles (AIFA)
The Felipe Ángeles International Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Ángeles (AIFA), is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Mexico City. It is Mexico City's second-largest airport and is named after General Felipe Ángeles, a significant figure in the Mexican Revolution. The airport covers 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres) and is situated at an elevation of 2,246 metres (7,369 feet) above mean sea level. With a capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually, it can accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and 747.
The airport was originally named the Santa Lucía Air Force Base, which was established in 1952 to replace the Balbuena Military Air Field near Mexico City's main airport, Benito Juárez or AICM (Aeropuerto Internacional de Ciudad de México). The complete transition of aircraft from Balbuena to Santa Lucía was achieved in 1959. The Santa Lucía Air Force Base 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.
AIFA opened for civilian use in 2022, serving as the third airport for Greater Mexico City. The passenger terminal facilitates domestic and international flights, and the airport is a focus city for Viva and Aeroméxico Connect. It is the main hub for Mexicana, a state-owned airline. In addition to civilian operations, the airport continues to accommodate the Mexican Air Force, general aviation, and charter flight services.
The development of AIFA has become a politically significant project in Mexico, representing ideological clashes and embodying sociopolitical tensions in the country. The airport's conversion to civilian use is a response to congestion challenges at Mexico City International Airport, an issue that has been a part of Mexican politics since the early 2000s. The rapid transition from the previous administration's project to the new one underscores the airport's political importance.
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The airport is 35-45km from Mexico City
The Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Mexico City. The airport is officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Ángeles (AIFA) and was inaugurated on 21 March 2022. It 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.
NLU is an alternative airport to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and serves as the third airport for Greater Mexico City. It is a modern facility situated 45 kilometres from Mexico City. The airport is easily accessible by road, with the primary vehicular entrance connected to a highway from the Circuito Exterior Mexiquense, spanning approximately 4.5 kilometres. However, as of November 2023, accessibility to the airport remains insufficient, and transportation options are limited.
The airport covers 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres) and is equipped to handle 20 million passengers annually. It facilitates domestic and international flights, serving as a focus city for Viva and Aeroméxico Connect. NLU offers flights to 51 destinations, with the most popular routes being Cancun, Houston, and Bogota. The airport is also set to become Mexico's largest air cargo hub, accommodating various cargo airlines.
NLU provides a smooth travel experience with minimal traffic and easy access to parking and departure areas. The on-site Holiday Inn & Suites offers convenient accommodation for travellers, featuring a lounge overlooking the runways. The airport also houses various dining options, including El Fogoncito, which specialises in Mexican cuisine.
Overall, NLU Airport is a welcome addition to the areas near Mexico City, providing travellers with an alternative option to the busier Mexico City International Airport.
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It is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico
Felipe Ángeles International Airport (IATA: NLU) is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico. It is about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Mexico City and is considered part of the metropolitan area of Mexico City. Zumpango is a region located in the north of the State of Mexico, with a surface area of 8.305 square kilometres. It occupies 12.8% of the state's territory and is dominated by a dry and moderate sub-humid climate. The region has seen major population growth, with a population of 127,988 in 2005, a growth rate of almost 6% per year.
Zumpango is home to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport, which opened in 2022 as the second commercial airport serving Greater Mexico City. The airport covers 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres) and is situated at an elevation of 2,246 metres (7,369 feet) above mean sea level. It 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.
The airport is located in a region with a rich history. The first sport practised in Zumpango was charrería, and the town has a long tradition of bullfighting. The Parish of Purísima Concepción was founded in the first half of the 16th century and expanded in 1711. Lake Zumpango, which extends over 2,000 hectares, is the main surface water in the region. It is the last of the five interconnected lakes that covered much of the Valley of Mexico in the pre-Hispanic period.
Zumpango is well-connected to Mexico City and other nearby locations by rail and road. Three rail lines pass through the region, linking Mexico City to Pachuca, Veracruz, Guadalajara, and points north such as Nuevo Laredo. The primary vehicular entrance to the airport is connected to a highway from the Circuito Exterior Mexiquense, spanning approximately 4.5 kilometres (2.8 miles).
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It is named after General Felipe Ángeles, a significant figure in the Mexican Revolution
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. The airport is about an hour's drive from Mexico City and serves as the third airport for the Greater Mexico City area.
The airport is named after General Felipe Ángeles, a prominent figure in the Mexican Revolution. Ángeles was born on June 13, 1869, in the municipality of Zacualtipán, in the state of Hidalgo. His father was a farmer who later earned the title of colonel after facing invasions from the United States and France. Ángeles studied in countries like France, and upon his return, he worked as a teacher at the Military College and later became its director.
During the Mexican Revolution, Ángeles played a crucial role in Mexico's history due to his military prowess. In 1911, he was awarded the order of Knight of the Legion of Honor by the French government. In 1912, he was promoted to brigadier general and appointed by President Francisco Madero to lead the forces against Emiliano Zapata's insurgency in the state of Morelos. Ángeles advocated for amnesty for revolutionaries who agreed to lay down their arms and did not deliberately target civilians.
Despite his efforts, Ángeles was arrested and subjected to a sham trial, accused of murdering a child during the La Ciudadela barrage. He was a highly respected figure, and his contributions to Mexico are now reflected in the airport that bears his name.
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Frequently asked questions
NLU airport, also known as Felipe Ángeles International Airport, is located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, about 35-45 km north of Mexico City.
NLU airport is located about 35-45 km (22-28 miles) from Mexico City, which is about an hour's drive.
NLU airport served 6,348,091 passengers in 2024, making it the 8th busiest airport in Mexico that year. The airport has a capacity of 20 million passengers annually and is equipped to handle wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and 747.
