By Jose Ricardo Botelho

Aviation plays a crucial role in global supply chains, particularly in transporting perishable and high-value goods, which account for 80% of the value of goods transported worldwide. Despite the challenges and downturns imposed by the pandemic, the aviation industry has grown.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of cargo flights and cargo tonnage carried in Latin America and the Caribbean. The cargo capacity to and from the region recorded a compound annual growth rate of 9.7% between 2011 and 2019. Additionally, the proportion of capacity offered on dedicated cargo services increased from 12% in 2016 to 16% in 2021. This is largely due to the growing e-commerce market in the region, which has driven the development of small and medium-sized companies that use airfreight services to operate.

Mexico is the leading country in the region regarding international cargo capacity, accounting for 28% of the total. In 2021, Mexico recorded the most significant increase in the proportion of air cargo over the region’s total, increasing its weight from 11% to 27% between 2011 and 2021. In domestic terms, Mexico accounted for 26% of domestic air cargo in the region, and Mexico City consolidated its position as the second-largest domestic air cargo origin city, accounting for 6% of the total, after Sao Paulo in Brazil.

These figures demonstrate that the transportation of cargo in and to Mexico is essential for an extensive economic value chain that generates socio-economic welfare for the population, from small producers to large corporations.

Therefore, we are highly concerned about the draft decree that foresees the closure of the AICM for air cargo operations and the habilitation of the Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) for this purpose. The facilities and processes for importing and exporting cargo are not fully enabled at the AIFA, such as the physical infrastructure of warehouses, certification of ground support operators, customs brokers, and freight forwarders.

Separating the cargo airport from the passenger airport also significantly impacts cargo connectivity since approximately 50% of air cargo is transported in the holds of passenger aircraft. Separating these operations would generate delays, higher costs (reflected in the costs paid by the population for products), and less flexibility and efficiency. Mexico City’s competitiveness as a cargo hub would suffer, as would the commercial air transportation system operating there.

The pandemic significantly affected supply chains; however, cargo operators have made outstanding efforts, in conjunction with authorities, to continue providing an essential service. Therefore, measures must be well-planned, articulated, and organized, especially during recovery. Without proper planning and consideration of those involved, sudden changes could generate more significant losses for all and disruptions in a service that does not stop day or night.

Although an extension of time has been announced, we call on the authorities to urgently consider the importance of a discussion and planning to achieve effective and timely transitions that do not disrupt an essential service for society and the country’s economy. A minimum term of 12 months is essential to achieve the migration to AIFA in an organized manner and with an efficient and safe service to importers and exporters in Mexico.

ALTA is constantly available to the authorities to review, based on technical information, initiatives that promote the development of the sector in the country.