AIFA to Expand Cargo Handling Capacity by 2026

The Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) is preparing a large-scale expansion of its cargo handling facilities as part of its plan to become one of Mexico’s leading air freight hubs by 2026.
According to the airport’s 2025–2030 development program, AIFA’s cargo area — originally consisting of 16 warehouses and processing facilities with the ability to handle 570,000 tons per year — has already grown with the addition of six new warehouses. This expansion increases the airport’s total capacity to 810,000 tons annually, supported by 22 fully operational storage and logistics buildings.
A key component of the project is the enlargement of the aircraft parking platform. Currently, AIFA can accommodate five large freighter aircraft at once, but by early 2026, the number will rise to nine, allowing the airport to handle heavy cargo aircraft such as the Boeing 747-8F more efficiently.
These improvements are being financed with internal resources, reflecting a strategy to consolidate AIFA’s position as a self-sustaining logistics center. Authorities project that demand for air cargo services will continue to grow steadily, prompting future expansion phases outlined in the airport’s long-term master plan.
Looking ahead to 2050, the plan envisions three runways — one primarily dedicated to cargo operations — along with two interconnected passenger terminals designed to serve up to 85 million travelers annually. The cargo terminal is projected to handle up to three million tons of freight per year, supported by expanded fuel storage capacity, a new control tower, and integrated logistics infrastructure in the surrounding area.
At present, AIFA serves 43 cargo airlines, including scheduled, charter, and mixed operations, and has already processed more than 633,000 tons of freight since its opening. The airport’s growth is seen as a critical step toward positioning it as the “logistics hub” of central Mexico, connecting industrial zones from Pachuca to northern Mexico City and strengthening the region’s role in international trade.
Through these efforts, AIFA aims to transition from an emerging player to a major logistics platform, offering enhanced infrastructure, increased efficiency, and expanded connectivity to meet the growing demands of global cargo transport.