Former Conagua head disputes viability of Mexico City airport expansion

The proposed expansion of Mexico City international airport, AICM, will expose the capital to increased flood risks, said former national water commission (Conagua) director José Luis Luege during an interview on local radio station Radio Formula.

Construction of an airport on the proposed site "will cause environmental damage, not to mention that any construction on that land is against the law," said Luege.

Transport and communications (SCT) minister Gerardo Ruiz announced December 10 that the SCT was considering an expansion to the east of the existing airport in an area known as Bordo Poniente.

However, the federal land is currently used as a regulating reservoir to protect Mexico City against flooding as many of the capital's rivers and drainage tunnels converge in the area.

During the rainy season (June-November), the land acts as a "buffer zone" in the face of large storms as excess rainwater can be diverted to the land to ease the capital's drainage capacity.

Almost half of the 5,000ha was deliberately flooded in June 2011 to cope with heavy rains caused by tropical storm Arlene, said Luege.

The land is also unsuitable for construction as it sinks by up to 40cm each year, he said.

While some experts have claimed "that engineering can fix everything, that is just not true. There are certain things you have to respect and any construction on this land will be extremely expensive and damage the environment," said Luege.

Construction on the land is currently prohibited by law.