Mexico Holds Firm: Air Cargo Remains at AIFA Despite U.S. Pressure.

Dispute Overview Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, has reiterated that she will not reverse the decision to move cargo operations from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), despite pressure from the United States Department of Transportation. El País+2La Jornada+2

During her daily press conference, Sheinbaum defended the measure as being taken for “technical” reasons to avoid saturation at AICM, and accused reversing it of putting airport users at risk. La Jornada

What has happened with flights and routes

• The U.S. canceled 13 routes between Mexican and U.S. airlines, arguing that Mexico has violated the 2015 Air Services Treaty following the cargo relocation to AIFA. El País+1

• According to Sheinbaum, these decisions by the U.S. may have more political than technical motivations, and she has therefore requested a review and dialogue with U.S. authorities. infobae

• Furthermore, a digital system for managing airport “slots” is planned for implementation in 2026, which could improve the distribution of flights between Mexican and foreign airlines. El País

Sheinbaum’s arguments in favor of AIFA

1. Safety and capacity: Sheinbaum has stated that moving the cargo to AIFA was a technical decision, to avoid saturation at AICM and protect passengers. La Jornada

2. Investment already made: She has pointed out that many cargo companies have already invested in infrastructure to operate at AIFA, so reversing the measure would imply losses and a setback in those investments. El Diario+1

3. Diplomatic negotiation: Despite the tension with the U.S., Sheinbaum is betting on technical dialogue to resolve conflicts without changing the established policy. Transporte.mx | Transporte en México

Logistical implications

• With increased cargo operations, AIFA is positioned as a strategic hub for the import and export of air freight.

• If it manages to consolidate, it can strengthen the air logistics chain in Mexico, reducing costs and times for companies that use air transport.

• It can also attract investment in warehouses, cargo handling, customs services, and other supporting infrastructure around the airport.

Potential challenges

• Infrastructure: Some analysts mention that AIFA still lacks all the equipment and optimal certifications for high-volume international cargo. Reddit+1

• Competition: If the U.S. continues to exert pressure, it could generate uncertainty for airlines and cargo operators.

• Costs and volumes: If there is not sufficient cargo volume, the AIFA model could have profitability problems for certain logistics players.

Considerations for Ground Control For Ground Control (CT), this scenario opens up several possibilities:

• Multimodal service: CT could offer routes that connect AIFA air cargo with ground transportation for distribution in Mexico or in border areas.

• Warehousing and consolidation: If AIFA becomes a major logistics center, CT can offer consolidation, customs warehousing, or cross-docking services to clients who import/export.

• Consulting and management: CT can help its clients (exporters/importers) navigate the customs and logistics process based on the new air cargo dynamics in Mexico.

Conclusion Claudia Sheinbaum’s firmness in maintaining air cargo at AIFA, despite pressure from the U.S., is a strategic move with major implications for Mexican logistics. If successful, it could consolidate a new air cargo operations center in Mexico, which would generate opportunities for logistics companies. For Ground Control, it is a great opportunity to integrate into that ecosystem and offer robust solutions to its clients who need to connect air and land.