The Mexican government hopes to complete the expansion of the new airport before the current president leaves office. The expansion of the new airport will effectively improve the efficiency of cargo transportation in Mexico City
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EqualOcean reports that Mexico is accelerating the expansion of the cargo area at a military-operated airport that was inaugurated two years ago. Cargo flights were forced to move to this airport less than a year ago. "The way they've kicked off work immediately, it's impressive,"" said Deputy Transport Minister Rogelio Jimenez Pons.
The government aims to complete other infrastructure projects before President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador leaves office in October. His successor, former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, will then take over. Jimenez Pons mentioned that he is uncertain whether the airport expansion can be completed on time. According to documents submitted by the military to the Finance Ministry, the project will cost approximately 2.86 billion pesos (162.88 million USD) to construct seven cargo warehouses, two platforms, and a new taxiway.
Last year, Lopez Obrador ordered cargo companies to relocate their operations to the Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) in the city’s suburbs to alleviate pressure on Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and to boost the usage of the new airport.
When the relocation order was issued, all cargo warehouses at AIFA were already occupied. A UPS executive claimed last September, the storage area "ended up being too small for (carriers)," According to civil aviation data, the airport is quickly becoming the preferred location for cargo flights in Mexico. "At the beginning, the companies complained," Jimenez Pons said. "But now (I tell them), 'You're making double than you were before!'" He also mentioned that industries around AIFA are beginning to flourish, and the transportation of goods has become more efficient.
The Transport Ministry completed a new highway after AIFA was opened. Since AIFA’s opening, the government has heavily subsidized the airport. Last year's annual report showed that without subsidies amounting to 1.484 billion pesos (84.52 million USD), AIFA would have incurred a loss. Now, AIFA is nearing self-sufficiency, Jimenez Pons stated.