Mexico airports to see US$6bn in public and private investments

Mexico's government and private groups will invest 118bn pesos (US$5.83bn) in airport infrastructure.

"There is investment in airport infrastructure of [118bn pesos], both from the federal government and private companies," infrastructure, communications and transportation minister Jesús Esteva said during an event hosted by the College of Civil Engineers of Mexico.

Although he did not break down the amounts, his presentation detailed that the Pacific Airport Group (GAP) will build a terminal and a road access in Guadalajara in 2025, while terminals will be expanded in Los Cabos and Tijuana. In Puerto Vallarta, a new terminal is expected to start operation, although the date was not specified.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) will begin the reconstruction and expansion of Terminal 1 at Cancún airport and the terminal at Oaxaca airport this year. In Merida, an expansion of the terminal is planned, although the date was not specified.

Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA) will also begin expanding the terminal building at Monterrey airport this year, installing a fire control system at the Culiacan facility and remodeling the runways at Chihuahua airport.

Grupo Aeroportuario Turístico Mexicana (GATM) plans to complete the expansion and remodeling of the Tepic and Puerto Escondido airports in 2025.

At the same time, navy ministry Semar is rehabilitating and strengthening Mexico City's AICM facility in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Other airports will also be expanded ahead of the World Cup. "The airport groups that have Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Monterrey have expansions within their five-year program and, specifically, to receive the volumes of foreigners that will arrive," Esteva told reporters at the end of his presentation.

He also reported that additional works are being studied for the airports of Tamuín in San Luis Potosí, which President Claudia Sheinbaum had already announced, but also for those of Costa Alegre and Lagos de Moreno in Jalisco.

"We are reviewing other airports requested in these tours that we do through the states. Different governments have been proposing that we review… basically, expansions of some of their runways," Esteva said.

In 2023, tourism minister Miguel Torruco announced that 95.5bn pesos was expected to be invested in airport expansion, modernization and construction from 2019 to 2024.

Aeronautical policy

In addition to the investment plan, Esteva reported that a new aeronautical policy is being designed, as the current one has not been reformed since 2001.

"Work is already underway on a new aeronautical policy to enhance infrastructure and services, strengthen personnel through training and various actions by the transportation department," Esteva said.

The new policy will include measures to promote renewable energy and sustainable fuels, ensure compliance with international standards, foster cooperation for agreements, improve connectivity, establish emergency protocols to ensure operations, and encourage collaboration between authorities and the industry.