Mexican Government Consolidates Airport Groups to Enhance Operations

The Mexican government is consolidating three major airport entities in a strategic move designed to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen security, and improve nationwide air connectivity.

According to recent announcements from the Navy, Grupo Aeroportuario de la Ciudad de México and Servicios Aeroportuarios de la Ciudad de México will be merged with Mexico City International Airport (AICM). This merger aims to optimize resources and streamline airport operations across the country.

As part of this integration, AICM will remain a majority state-owned company, continuing its role as the operator of Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX), Mexico City’s primary international gateway. Additionally, AICM will take over the management of several other airports, including those in Ciudad del Carmen, Ciudad Obregón, Colima, Guaymas, Loreto, and Matamoros, and will hold a stake in Toluca International Airport.

The merger will result in the creation of a new entity, initially named Casiopea and now operating as Grupo Aeroportuario Marina. This new group will be overseen by the Mexican Navy and will be headquartered in a former Interjet building, which closed in late 2020.

This consolidation plan is set to be implemented later this year and coincides with the Mexican Tourism Ministry’s report that international flight load factors reached 86% in June, the highest for 2024. During the first half of the year, Mexico welcomed 14.9 million international passengers. Of these, 79% were from North America, 11.9% from the Caribbean, Central and South America, 8.5% from Europe, and 0.6% from Asia. Key routes with the most scheduled seats included Dallas-Cancun, Los Angeles-Guadalajara, and Toronto-Cancun. Cancún, Guadalajara, and MEX together accounted for 70.4% of Mexico’s international seat capacity in the first half of the year.