Former President López Obrador's flagship project faces harsh criticism for lack of connectivity
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Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) has been designated as the official arrival venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This was announced by Isidro Pastor Román, the airport's general director, during the third anniversary of its inauguration.
This decision has caused controversy, as AIFA has been subject to criticism for its operability and accessibility since its opening.
Fachada desde dentro del AIFA.
Persistent connectivity issues
Three years after it began operations, AIFA continues to show failures in terms of ground connectivity. The lack of an efficient connection with the Suburban Train and the difficulties in accessing it from Mexico City have been pointed out as obstacles to its functionality.
Meanwhile, authorities have restricted access to app-based transportation services like Uber and DiDi at AIFA. Fines exceed 50,000 pesos to drivers who drop off passengers at the airport terminal.
Aplicaciones como Uber y Didi no pueden operar en el AIFA.
Limited growth and questions
Although the airport has reported growth in the number of passengers, its share in the national air market remains low. Meanwhile, the lack of promotion and the limited offer of destinations have been factors affecting its competitiveness.
To increase its use, the previous federal government issued decrees to transfer cargo flights from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to AIFA, seeking to reduce the saturation of the former.
El AIFA, aunque disfuncional, es una de las obras insignia del expresidente López Obrador.
Origins and questions
AIFA was conceived as an alternative to the canceled New Mexico City International Airport (NAIM) project in Texcoco. This decision has been labeled by some as a "presidential whim," due to the controversies and technical and political questions surrounding it.
Analysts suggest that AIFA won't have the capacity to handle the flow of international visitors that an event of this magnitude requires. The current infrastructure and services of the airport have proven to be deficient.
El AIFA es producto de una consulta popular promovida por el anterior gobierno federal.
The international community and soccer fans are still expecting this decision to be reversed and for Mexico City International Airport to be designated to meet the expectations of such a large-scale event.
