According to an internal government document, Mexico's government plans to cap flights at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to 43 an hour. The resolution, sent by the Transportation Ministry to the airport, is expected to be published in Mexico's official gazette soon. The cuts follow previous flight caps at the airport last year, as the government attempts to reduce saturation in the Mexican capital's airspace.
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Earlier on Wednesday, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged Mexico to take alternative measures to its plans to announce flight reductions at AICM. The IATA said in a statement to Reuters that it could not accept “any unilateral and uncoordinated decisions” that would hamper connectivity¹. “Given the impact that this measure could have on passengers, air connectivity, and tourism, we hope that the authorities will consider alternatives,” IATA said.
According to the document, the measure is set to take effect once the winter season begins, which IATA defines as the last Sunday of October to the last Saturday of March. While flights have been reduced in the past, the Mexican government has not yet announced a fresh round of cuts at the busiest airport in Latin America. Officials have previously capped flights at the airport in an attempt to reduce saturation of the capital’s airspace.
Mexico’s air transportation chamber, CANAERO, said earlier in the week that the sector had not been consulted in recent discussions regarding potential flight cuts. Instead of cutting flights, the aging hub “urgently” needs funds destined to carry out repairs, the chamber said. While the AICM’s airport usage tax is one of the highest in Latin America, the funds go to paying off some $4.2 billion in outstanding bonds for the canceled, partially built Texcoco airport meant to alleviate traffic at the AICM. This news has raised concerns among travelers and airlines alike. It remains to be seen what impact these flight cuts will have on air travel and tourism in Mexico.