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The administration of Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City announced new restrictions on operations in the AICM, to favor the AIFA?
It is airport is the most important in all of Latin America and occupies the highest passenger traffic in the region, being key to aeronautical development, economic and social Mexico. More of 60 millions of passengers are transported by air in this country, the largest airline market in Latin America, but new restrictions aim to slow its development.
New restrictions at Mexico City Airport
Last 1 September 2023, the International Airport of the Mexico City (AICM) announced new restrictions on air traffic. These restrictions, that come into force on 8 of January of 2024, are intended to "improve airport safety and efficiency".
We must remember here that last year operations of 61 flights per hour to 52 current, being that the new measure seeks to limit to only 43 per hour. Too, The maximum weight of the aircraft that can operate here has already been limited, which directly affected the airlines that carry cargo, which had to move their operations to the Philip Angels AIFA.
The new restrictions also affect private aircraft traffic, which will only be able to land and take off from AICM at specific times. These schedules are intended to avoid air traffic congestion.
AICM has more than 24 national and international airlines and acts as the main hub connecting all Mexican states and most international destinations. The market potential of Mexico it's huge, with a large number of tourist destinations. The joint mission of all stakeholders should be to facilitate aviation connectivity and make air travel more accessible across the country. Aviation enables social connection, greatly improves tourism and is an engine for economic development and job creation. On 2021, air transport generated 1,3 million jobs and contributed 46.800 million dollars to the country's GDP.
What do the new restrictions mean for passengers?
There will be effects on passengers, since they will face a significant number of delays and cancellations on flights that were already on the itinerary and on sale well in advance. further, It is very likely that ticket prices will increase as the supply of flights in the Valley of Mexico is reduced.
Nevertheless, The new restrictions can also help improve the safety and efficiency of the AICM. This could lead to more punctual flights.
How do the new restrictions affect airlines??
New restrictions may also have a significant impact on airlines. Airlines will likely have to reduce the number of flights in the AICM. They may also have to change their flight times to avoid restrictions.
In this way, ALTA also indicated the following:
- The adoption of unilateral measures makes effective planning difficult, as it generates uncertainty about what unilateral measures could come next, affecting the potential of the air market in Mexico. Airlines need to plan their future itineraries with processes that require a minimum of six months in advance..
- It complicates the situation for the quick recovery of the Category 1, which Mexico lost more than two years ago. Not returning to the Category 1 will continue to affect the Mexican airline industry that, due to restrictions, cannot operate new routes, increase frequencies or change the equipment with which they operate in this country. Currently there are operations between Mexico and the United States 23 thousand monthly flights, of which more than 70% They are operated by American airlines.
- Limits economic income to the country from travel and tourism. On 2022, the AICM received 1 decade 5 international tourists who entered Mexico by air. That same year, The economic benefit generated by the entry of international tourists in Mexico exceeded the 26 billion dollars (INEGI). The reduction in tourists will impact industries beyond aviation, like the hotel, restaurantera, artisanal and land transport, among other.
- It generates a climate of legal uncertainty that diminishes confidence in Mexico in establishing investments and growth plans for the coming years..
Is there any winner?
If we analyze the data coldly, users don't win, AICM income does not earn, airlines don't win, so what is the idea?
As much as we want to leave behind the political issue, It is very difficult to do so when we see the clear intentions of favoring operational conditions by force., more not of famous market and controversial AIFA, since airlines do not have the capacity to fly as before, They will have to review where to place their planes to meet demand and their customers.
Here comes the option of AIFA, which since its creation has been the target of criticism, but which public road seeks to increase its few operations. Will this anti-competitive measure manage to highlight the flights at AIFA Either it will end up benefiting other airports like Toluca or we will simply see the fall of the Mexican airline market?
“This Government decision does not take into account the interests of consumers, nor does it respect the necessary consultation process with operators and users, especially at the country's main airport. Such measures must be taken with the maximum technical and operational rigor., based on studies and expert analysis. In this case we question the methodology used by SENEAM, AFAC and AICM to determine airport capacity”, said Peter Cerdá, IATA Regional Vice President for the Americas.
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