Aeroméxico CEO Proposes Massive Terminal 3 to End AICM Congestion Crisis

Mexico’s flagship carrier, Aeroméxico, has proposed a major infrastructure project. The airline suggests building a Terminal 3 (T3) at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM). This plan aims to solve chronic congestion issues at the busy hub. The proposal comes even after the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) opened.

The Terminal 3 Proposal

Aeroméxico CEO Andrés Conesa Labastida detailed the ambitious plan. He stated the new terminal would be very large. It would exceed the combined size of the existing Terminals 1 and 2. This expansion is critical for AICM passenger capacity. The current airport is operating at its functional limit of about 50 million passengers annually. T3 would increase this to an estimated 70 or 75 million passengers per year.

The preferred T3 location is adjacent to Terminal 2. This placement requires relocating Aeroméxico’s maintenance workshops. Building near Terminal 1 is not possible, Conesa explained. That area houses fuel farms and complex infrastructure. Relocating these facilities would be extremely difficult.

Metropolitan Strategy and Capacity

Conesa views the Aeroméxico Terminal 3 proposal as part of a wider strategy. The goal is to maximize the Mexico City metropolitan airport system. This system includes AICM, AIFA, and Toluca International Airport. Combined, this network could handle over 100 million passengers annually. This capacity would serve the Valley of Mexico air travel needs for the next decades.

AIFA was specifically built to relieve the overburdened AICM. AIFA's initial design capacity is 20 million passengers per year. However, the new airport has operated well below this capacity. This underutilization keeps pressure on the older, more central AICM.

Challenges and Financial Hurdles

The idea of a third terminal at AICM is not new. Previous plans were shelved when the government prioritized AIFA. Aviation analysts have long warned about AICM's structural issues. The former government even advised the incoming administration to build T3.

One significant obstacle is the airport’s financial structure. Most of the AICM's Airport Use Fee (TUA) revenue is already committed. This revenue services debt from the canceled Texcoco airport project. This commitment limits the funds available for major new infrastructure projects.

Despite the AICM congestion issues, operational efficiency has improved. Reduced operations and the transfer of cargo flights to AIFA helped. The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) reported better punctuality. AICM is also undergoing major renovations. These upgrades aim to improve the passenger experience before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Final approval for any new terminal rests with the government's SICT. The proposal highlights the need for a definitive, long-term capacity solution.

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