Camara — Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) | La Derecha Diario

AIFA designated as the official arrival venue for the World Cup despite dysfunctionality

Former President López Obrador's flagship project faces harsh criticism for lack of connectivity

18/04/2025 10:05:00h

Editorial Team

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.

Interior of a modern airport with a geometric ceiling and a replica of the Aztec calendar in the center, surrounded by columns lit in green and red.

Facade from inside AIFA | La Derecha Diario

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.

Two mobile phones displaying the Uber and DiDi apps on their screens.

Applications like Uber and Didi can't operate at AIFA | La Derecha Diario

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.

A smiling man at a podium with a cargo plane in the background and the letters AIFA.

AIFA, although dysfunctional, is one of former President López Obrador's flagship projects | La Derecha Diario

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.

A person marks their choice on a national consultation ballot regarding the future of Mexico City's airport, choosing between refurbishing the current airport and building runways in Santa Lucía or continuing with the construction of the new airport in Texcoco.

AIFA is the result of a public consultation promoted by the previous federal government | La Derecha Diario

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.

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